‘hitler Was Able to Consolidate His Power in the Years of 1933-34 Through the Use of Concessions to Key Groups Within German Society.' How Far Do You Agree?

Up to and including after the March 1933 election, the Nazi party was the largest party in the Reichstag. Hitler was able to consolidate his power in the years 1933-34 through the use of concessions to key groups within German society. While this is indeed true, there were other factors at play which helped Hitler consolidate his power, namely: propaganda, tactics of violence and intimidation, and the concept of a “legal revolution”.

Hitler was able to consolidate his power through various concessions to key groups in Germany. The conservative elite were vital to appease if Hitler wanted to seem a respectable and trusted leader, rather than a fringe irritant. During the day of Potsdam, Hitler gave a speech to a nation, and promised the conservative elite that their values would be maintained under a Nazi regime. He also abolished the SA’s power, who were causing havoc on the streets and instead sided with the Army, appeasing the elite within society. In addition, Hitler agreed a concordat within the Catholic Church, effectively recognising their beliefs and respecting them within Germany, at the same time as eliminating the catholic centre party. This portrayed Hitler as a legitimate chancellor who the upper classes could work with. Another key group Hitler gave concessions to were the petty bourgeoisie, who fitted “National Socialist” agenda very well. They were promised economic revival after losing their savings in the Great Depression, which helped Hitler gain a significant base of key support to consolidate his power. Even the working classes were given concessions, like a Nazi trade union, the DAF, to replace the existing unions. Additionally, Hitler was well dressed at the Potsdam Meeting, and didn’t use any provocative tactics, which helped him consolidate his power further and gained added respect in German society.

However, this is likely to have been an act of propaganda, another tactic used by Hitler to consolidate his power. The ministry of Public Enlightenment and propaganda was founded in March 1933, and headed by Dr Joseph Goebbels. Hitler wanted to appear more legitimate than he was, and twist any event he could in the Nazi’s favour. An example of this the Reichstag fire in February 1933. Although this was before the creation of the ministry of propaganda, the Nazis publicised the fact that it was the Communists, in particular the KPD, who caused the fire. In fact, it was a Dutch man, with tenuous links to Dutch communists, working independently from any party in Germany. This created fear amongst the German population for communists, which helped Hitler consolidate his power through an anti-communist stance. This fear also allowed the Reichstag Fire Decree to be passed easily, which nullified civil liberties such as the right to a fair trial. The ministry for propaganda also changed the German national flag from the black red and yellow stripes to black white and red, used jointly