Hitler and His Accomplices of Evil Part 4 of 4

Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, barracks Lichterfelde, 17 December 1935 (photo Georg Pahl) Federal Archives Picture

Part 4 Fascination and violence ... 1933 - 1938

Concentration of Power Into Hitler's Hands

The death of Reich President von Hindenburg on 2 August 1934 gives Hitler the opportunity to continue the concentration of power in his hands: he unites the offices of Reich President and Reich Chancellor. He was also the commander-in-chief of the armed forces. The soldiers vowed to the "leader" their willingness to "unconditional obedience". (So ??far, the Reichswehr had been sworn to the Constitution and not to a single person).

On 19 August 1934 there was a referendum on the unification of the offices. Voter turnout exceeded 95%, with 89% yes votes. With this Hitler becomes the legitimate successor of Hindenburg.

After Hindenburg's death, the entire state power was formally in the hands of the Reich government. She was the executive, legislative and constitutional body at the same time.

The Reichstag is elected three times and convened on special occasions. But there was only one party left and nothing left to decide.

The Reich government was robbed of its power. From 1933 on, it met less and less frequently, and after four years no longer. The last Cabinet meeting, in which laws were discussed and adopted, took place on 9.12.1937. Although the ministers remained at the head of the government, they were no longer involved in political decisions. There were no more decision-making bodies.

The Reichswehr is placed under Hitler's command and have to give their oath of loyalty to him as a person and no longer to the constitution.

The Army High Command (OKW) is organized in command of the army, and it is above the commanders-in-chief of the three Wehrmacht units and the General Staff, and under General Keitel and Jodl it becomes a docile tool for Hitler.

Read also

• Hitler and His Accomplices of Evil Part 3 of 4
• Hitler and His Accomplices of Evil Part 2 of 4
• Hitler and His Accomplices of Evil Part 1 of 4

Previous article

Hitler and His Accomplices of Evil Part 3 of 4