FREE ESSAY ON HITLER'S ENABLING ACT

HITLER'S ENABLING ACT

Hitler's Enabling Act
On March 23, 1933, the newly elected members of the Reichstag met in the Kroll Opera
House in Berlin to consider passing Hitler's Enabling Act. It was officially called the
'Law for Removing the Distress of the People and the Reich.' If this bill would be
passed, it would end democracy in Germany and establish the legal dictatorship of Adolf
Hitler.
The Nazis had secretly caused confusion in order to create an atmosphere in which the law
seem necessary to restore order. On February 27, 1933, Nazis burned the Reichstag
building, and a seat of the German government, causing frenzy and outrage. They
successfully blamed the fire on the Communists, and claimed it marked the beginning of a
widespread rebellion. On the day of the vote, Nazi storm troopers gathered around the
opera house chanting, Full powers - or else! We want the bill - or fire and murder! They
also stood inside in the hallways, and even in the aisles where voting would take place,
scowling threateningly at anyone who opposed Hitler.
Before the vote, Hitler made a speech to the Reichstag in which he pledged to use
restraint. He also promised to end unemployment and promote peace with France, Great
Britain and the Soviet Union. However in order to accomplish all this, Hitler said, he
first needed the Enabling Act. Since this act would alter the German constitution, a
two-thirds majority was necessary. Hitler needed 31 non-Nazi votes to pass it. The Center
Party provided these votes after Hitler made a false promise to them. One man, however,
stood out amid this all. Otto Wells, leader of the Social Democrats stood moved to speak
to Hitler.
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. 
Hitler grew enraged and responded with this anger: 
You are no longer needed! - The star of Germany will rise and yours will sink! Your death
knell has sounded! 
Four hundred and forty votes were registered for the Enabling Act, while a mere 84 votes
were opposed - the social Democrats. The Nazis jumped up in glory and then sang the Nazi
anthem, the Horst Wessel song. The German Democratic party had finally been eliminated,
and Hitler's dream for Nazi command became closer to reality. Hitler gained the power he
craved and could use it in any manner he pleased without objection from the Reichstag.
All other political parties were dissolved of. Trade unions were liquidated and
opposition clergy were arrested. The Nazi party had, as Hitler said, become the state. By
August 1934, Hitler became commander-in-chief of the armed forces. This was in addition
to being President and Fuhrer of the German Reich, to whom every individual in the armed
forces pledged unconditional obedience. 
The Reichstag was no longer a place for debate, but rather a cheering squad in favor of
whatever Hitler might say.