The Reichstag passes the Enabling Act of 1933, making Adolf Hitler dictator of Germany.

The Reichstag: A Foundation Under Siege

The Reichstag, historically referred to in English as the Imperial Diet, served as the lower legislative chamber of Germany's democratic Weimar Republic. Its establishment was intrinsically linked to the birth of the Weimar Constitution in 1919, laying the foundation for a nascent, parliamentary democracy in post-World War I Germany.

From Democracy to Dictatorship: Hitler's Rise and the Reichstag Fire

However, this democratic institution would soon face its gravest challenge. In January 1933, Adolf Hitler, the charismatic yet ruthless leader of the Nazi Party, skillfully convinced the aging President Paul von Hindenburg to appoint him as Chancellor, placing him at the helm of the German government. Just four short weeks into his chancellorship, a pivotal and ominous event unfolded: the Reichstag building itself caught fire in the dead of night. Without hesitation, Hitler seized upon the incident, immediately blaming communists and portraying the arson as a precursor to a larger plot to overthrow the German government. This dramatic justification allowed him to persuade Hindenburg to enact the infamous Reichstag Fire Decree. This decree systematically dismantled crucial civil liberties, effectively suspending fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, assembly, protest, and due process. Under this newly declared state of emergency, the Nazis began a brutal and systematic campaign of arrests, intimidation, and purges against their political adversaries. Communists and labor union leaders, in particular, were targeted, with many swiftly interned in Dachau, the first concentration camp established by the Nazi regime.

The Enabling Act: A Legal Coup

With the political landscape largely cleared of immediate opposition, Hitler turned his attention to formally consolidating his unchecked power. He submitted a revolutionary proposal to the Reichstag for the "Gesetz zur Behebung der Not von Volk und Reich"—the Law to Remedy the Distress of People and Reich, more commonly known as the Enabling Act (Ermächtigungsgesetz) of 1933. This groundbreaking, and ultimately destructive, piece of legislation was designed to grant the German Cabinet, and most significantly the Chancellor himself, the sweeping authority to create and enforce laws entirely without the need for the Reichstag's approval or the involvement of President Hindenburg. Crucially, the Enabling Act explicitly enabled the Chancellor to bypass the constitutional system of checks and balances, and, even more disturbingly, the laws enacted under it could directly violate the individual rights enshrined within the Weimar Constitution. This was not merely an adjustment of power; it was a direct assault on the rule of law and democratic principles, designed to dismantle the very framework of the Weimar Republic.

The Unstoppable March to Totalitarianism

Despite the widespread repression, including the outlawing of communists and the intimidation of other opponents, the passage of the Enabling Act was not a foregone conclusion. Hitler strategically forged alliances with other nationalist and conservative factions. Their combined efforts led to a significant, albeit tainted, victory over the Social Democrats in the March 5, 1933 German federal election—an election that would tragically be the last multiparty contest held in a united Germany until 1990, and one marred by pervasive voter intimidation orchestrated by the Nazis. It's a common misconception that Adolf Hitler commanded a parliamentary majority for the Enabling Act's vote; in fact, fewer than 45% of Germans voted for the Nazi Party, despite the climate of terror. To ensure the act's passage, the Nazis employed a ruthless strategy involving coercion, bribery, and manipulation. All remaining political obstacles were systematically removed: communists were already repressed and barred from attendance or voting, and some Social Democrats were also forcibly prevented from participating. Ultimately, the Social Democrats stood alone among those present, courageously voting against the act. However, on March 23, 1933, the Enabling Act passed in both the Reichstag and Reichsrat, and President Hindenburg affixed his signature to it later that very day. Intended to expire after four years unless renewed, the act now empowered the Chancellor to unilaterally pass and enforce unconstitutional laws, extinguishing any meaningful objection.

The combined, devastating effect of the Enabling Act and the preceding Reichstag Fire Decree instantly transformed Hitler’s cabinet into a legal dictatorship, laying the irreversible groundwork for his totalitarian Nazi regime. Armed with this unparalleled power, the Nazis dramatically escalated political repression, swiftly outlawing all other political activities. By July 1933, the Nazi Party stood as the sole legal political entity in Germany. From this point onward, the Reichstag effectively devolved into the "rubber stamp" parliament Hitler had always desired. The Enabling Act itself would be renewed twice before finally being rendered null and void with the collapse of Nazi Germany at the hands of the Allies in 1945.

The passing of the Enabling Act remains a monumentally significant event in German and world history. It unequivocally marked the formal and swift transition from the democratic Weimar Republic to the brutal totalitarian Nazi dictatorship. From 1933 onwards, Hitler ceaselessly consolidated and centralized his power through relentless purges and pervasive propaganda. A chilling example came in 1934, when Hitler, alongside Heinrich Himmler, initiated a campaign to eliminate non-Nazi officials and even his remaining Nazi political rivals, culminating in the infamous Night of the Long Knives. With these purges successfully completed within the Nazi Party and the German government, Hitler wielded absolute control over Germany, swiftly embarking on a massive rearmament program. This consolidation of power and subsequent rearmament initiated the political and military struggles that would ultimately engulf the world in the Second World War.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany's Transformation

What was the Reichstag?
The Reichstag was the lower house of the legislature of the Weimar Republic, Germany's democratic government established in 1919. It continued to exist as a purely ceremonial body in Nazi Germany after 1933.
What was the Enabling Act (Ermächtigungsgesetz)?
The Enabling Act of 1933 was a pivotal law that granted the German Cabinet, particularly the Chancellor (Adolf Hitler), the power to create and enforce laws without the involvement of the Reichstag or President. Critically, these laws could bypass constitutional checks and balances and even violate individual rights.
How did Adolf Hitler become Chancellor?
Adolf Hitler was appointed Chancellor by President Paul von Hindenburg in January 1933. This appointment followed a period of political instability and the Nazi Party's increasing electoral success.
What was the significance of the Reichstag Fire?
The Reichstag Fire, which occurred in February 1933, was crucial for Hitler's consolidation of power. He blamed communists for the arson, using it as justification to persuade President Hindenburg to enact the Reichstag Fire Decree, which suspended most civil liberties and allowed the Nazis to begin arresting political opponents.
When did the Enabling Act pass?
The Enabling Act passed in both the Reichstag and Reichsrat on March 23, 1933, and was signed into law by President Paul von Hindenburg later that day.
What was the ultimate impact of the Enabling Act?
The Enabling Act, combined with the Reichstag Fire Decree, fundamentally transformed Hitler's cabinet into a legal dictatorship. It stripped the Reichstag of its power, allowing Hitler to rule unchecked, establish a totalitarian regime, and lay the groundwork for the political and military struggles that led to the Second World War.