March 23, 1933: Hitler's Enabling Act
"History is usually interesting and always relevant"- American Angle
On March 23, 1933, Chancellor Adolf Hitler successfully signed into law the Enabling Act of 1933. The new law in German was titled, Gesetz zur Behebung der Not von Volk und Reich.
Translation: Law to Remedy the Distress of the People and the Nation.
The passing of the Enabling Act was the end of democracy in Germany and established the legal dictatorship of Adolf Hitler.
How Did Adolf Hitler get the Enabling Act Passed?
Prior to the vote, Hitler stood before the Reichstag (German Parliament) and delivered one of his many charismatic speeches.
"The government will make use of these powers only insofar as they are essential for carrying out vitally necessary measures,"Hitler told the Reichstag.
He also promised to pivot toward unemployment and to promote peace with other nations. Chancellor Hitler was still 31 votes short, he had to persuade the German Center Party to approve this measure.
On March 23, 1933, the Reichstag met in the Kroll Opera House in Berlin to consider passing Hitler's Enabling Act. On the day of the vote, storm troopers lined the hallways of the house where the vote would take place, glaring menacingly at anyone who might vote against Hitler's measure.
Storm troopers not relying on Hitler's speeches alone to sway the members, employed strong arm tactics and chanted, "Full powers, or else! We want the bill, or fire and murder!"
Hitler falsely claimed that this new law was not tantamount to the abolition of the Reichstag.
One man, Otto Wells spoke out in opposition and said, "We German Social Democrats pledge ourselves solemnly in this historic hour to the principles of humanity and justice, of freedom and socialism. No enabling act can give you power to destroy ideas which are eternal and indestructible."
Adolf Hitler responded, "You are no longer needed! The star of Germany will rise and yours will sink! Your death knell has sounded!"
In the end, Chancellor Hitler secured the votes needed to pass the measure. Deputies from the Nazi Party, the German National People's Party, and the Centre Party voted in favor of the act, 441 for, only 84, the Social Democrats, against.
Upon passing the new law, the Nazis leapt to their feet clapping, stamping, shouting, and broke into the Nazi anthem, the Hörst Wessel song. They achieved what Hitler had wanted for years; to tear down the German Democratic Republic legally and end democracy.
The Enabling Act gave Hitler a base from which to carry out the first steps of his National Socialist revolution.
"The Government, being resolved to undertake the political and moral purification of our public life, are creating and securing the conditions necessary for a really profound revival of religious life." - Adolf Hitler, March 23, 1933.
Sources:
"Enabling Act." Encyclopædia Britannica. 2010. Encyclopædia Britannica Online. 23 Mar. 2010 http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/186351/Enabling-Act>.
"Hitler's Enabling Act." The History Place. 2010. 23 Mar. 2010http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/timeline/enabling.htm.>
"The Enabling Act (March 24, 1933)." German History, Documents and Images. 2010. GHDI. Documents - Building the Nazi Regime. 23 Mar. 2010 < http://germanhistorydocs.ghi-dc.org/sub_document.cfm?document_id=1496>.
Published by Tony Jingo
An American Patriot with an independent view on today's topics. Jingo (noun) One who vociferously supports one's country View profile
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35 Comments
Post a CommentThanks for sharing important information from German history. God bless.
Your reputation precedes you, Tony. Look at those here jumping on an issue you didn't even address. Love it!
The article never mentions a comparison...and I certainly never claimed that this was the first or original comparison. Very telling how this ruffles progressive feathers.
Interesting piece. And no, Tony, it's not that what AH did was so similar, it's that it's NOT the first, and certainly not the most original, comparison.
Julia, who are you directing that comment to? The article never once mentioned Obama or Obamacare...the similarities must be self evident huh? You have zero idea of what a majority of families here are going through or went through. Catastrophe does not translate into an acceptance of obamacare. To exploit families that are going through hard times is amoral to say the least...hmm..that's right you are a Liberal. Interesting that you would mention God..are you a believer of GOD? Or just a sanctimonious bomb thrower?
Thanks for this very educational piece, amazing work!
It is disgusting that you are comparing America to Nazi, Germany. When you and yours find yourself in a catastrophic medical situation you will be thanking GOD that Obama enacted HCR
Thanks for the education, Tony!
I likened the legal election and illegal governing since then as akin to this very act. Glad you agree T - course I knew you would. But lefties think I am nuts. No, I just understand history and context. Wish more of them did. Don't they understand that despotism ensnares all of us? They think since it's their despots, they win. Dolts.
I see the similarities. Very thought provoking article, Tony.