WHY WAS THE ENABLING ACT SO IMPORTANT?

The Act gave Hitler the power to make laws without the approval of either the Reichstag or the President The Reichstag had in effect voted itself out of existence

It had voted to introduce a Nazi dictatorship

Met 12 times over next 11 years- but only to listen to Hitler speak- never debated. Had no say on policies.

The Weimar Republic was dead

Hitler wanted all power placed in his hands, to be able to pass laws without consulting the Reichstag….effectively allowing him to establish a DICTATORSHIP No democratic debate

• Hitler banned the Communists• Intimidated other political parties

The ENABLING ACT triggered a period of rapid change in Germany- the NAZI REVOLUTION

HOW?

RESULT

Nazi terror tactics reached a peak in the days after the Reichstag fire

DEALING WITH

OPPOSITION

Opposition politicians were arrested & imprisoned Workers were no

longer allowedto join trade unions

Enemies of the Nazis particularly Communists could be executed

The SA could search the homes of suspected opponents

Many opponents were driven into exile

The Nazis intimidated voters by watching over them as they marked their ballot papers

HOW DID THE NAZIS DEAL WITH OPPOSITION?

propagandaintimidation