AQA · A-Level · History
Course version: 7042 · Version from Sept 2017
Germany, 1918–1945 – The Collapse of Democracy, 1928–1933: Political…
Full specification wording
2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945 – The Collapse of Democracy, 1928–1933: Political developments: the Reichstag Fire; parties and elections; the Enabling Act and the end of democracy; the state of Germany by March 1933
Between January and March 1933, the Weimar Republic was rapidly dismantled.
Checked against the AQA 7042 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 4 of 4
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Between January and March 1933, the Weimar Republic was rapidly dismantled. The Reichstag Fire on 27 February provided Hitler with a pretext to issue an emergency decree suspending civil liberties and suppressing communist opponents. In the March 1933 elections, despite widespread intimidation of rival parties, the Nazis failed to secure an absolute majority, winning 43.9 percent. To bypass parliament, Hitler secured the Enabling Act on 23 March, requiring a two-thirds majority. By intimidating the SPD and negotiating with the Centre Party, the Act passed, legally ending democracy. By late March 1933, the state of Germany had transformed into a legal dictatorship, with opposition neutralised and totalitarian foundations laid.
What earns the marks
- Analyse how the Reichstag Fire Decree legally suspended civil liberties and allowed the Nazis to decimate the KPD before the March elections.
- Evaluate the significance of the March 1933 election results, noting that the Nazis still required nationalist coalition partners to form a majority.
- Explain the political manoeuvring and intimidation tactics used to secure the two-thirds majority required to pass the Enabling Act.
- Assess the state of Germany by the end of March 1933, focusing on the transition from a fragile democracy to a legalised dictatorship.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Stating the Nazis won a majority in the March 1933 election.
Put it right: Specify that the Nazis won 43.9 percent of the vote and relied on the DNVP to achieve a working majority.
Confusing the Reichstag Fire Decree with the Enabling Act.
Put it right: Distinguish that the Decree suspended civil liberties, whereas the Enabling Act allowed Hitler to pass laws without the Reichstag.
Claiming the Enabling Act was passed illegally.
Put it right: Explain that the Act was passed using constitutional mechanisms, albeit under severe intimidation and the exclusion of Communist deputies.
Exam tips
- Link the Reichstag Fire directly to the March election results to demonstrate how crisis was manipulated for electoral advantage.
- Highlight the role of the Centre Party in passing the Enabling Act to show how non-Nazi parties contributed to the end of democracy.
- Use the phrase 'pseudo-legal revolution' to describe the state of Germany by March 1933, emphasising how Hitler used the constitution to destroy it.
Try the lesson
The start of the 2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945 – The Collapse of Democracy, 1928–1933: Political developments: the Reichstag Fire; parties and elections; the Enabling Act and the end of democracy; the state of Germany by March 1933 lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
What was the immediate political consequence of the Reichstag Fire in February 1933?
Listen
Between January and March 1933, the Weimar Republic was rapidly dismantled. The Reichstag Fire on 27 February provided Hitler with a pretext to issue an emergency decree suspending civil liberties and suppressing communist opponents. In the March 1933 elections, despite widespread intimidation of rival parties, the Nazis failed to secure an absolute majority, winning 43.9 percent. To bypass parliament, Hitler secured the Enabling Act on 23 March, requiring a two-thirds majority. By intimidating the SPD and negotiating with the Centre Party, the Act passed, legally ending democracy. By late March 1933, the state of Germany had transformed into a legal dictatorship, with opposition neutralised and totalitarian foundations laid. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Analyse how the Reichstag Fire Decree legally suspended civil liberties and allowed the Nazis to decimate the KPD before the March elections. Evaluate the significance of the March 1933 election results, noting that the Nazis still required nationalist coalition partners to form a majority. Explain the political manoeuvring and intimidation tactics used to secure the two-thirds majority required to pass the Enabling Act. Assess the state of Germany by the end of March 1933, focusing on the transition from a fragile democracy to a legalised dictatorship. A common slip: Stating the Nazis won a majority in the March 1933 election. Instead, Specify that the Nazis won 43.9 percent of the vote and relied on the DNVP to achieve a working majority. Exam tip: Link the Reichstag Fire directly to the March election results to demonstrate how crisis was manipulated for electoral advantage.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
The pseudo-legal revolution
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Political violence and intimidation
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
The destruction of democracy
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
Emergency powers and constitutional loopholes
Try answering aloud or in your head before turning the card.
See every definition
- The pseudo-legal revolution
- The description of the state of Germany by March 1933, emphasising how Hitler used the constitution to destroy it.
- Political violence and intimidation
- Widespread intimidation of rival parties in the March 1933 elections, and intimidation tactics used to secure the two-thirds majority required to pass the Enabling Act.
- The destruction of democracy
- The Enabling Act, passed on 23 March, legally ended democracy, transforming Germany into a legal dictatorship with opposition neutralised.
- Emergency powers and constitutional loopholes
- The emergency decree issued after the Reichstag Fire suspended civil liberties and suppressed communist opponents, while the Enabling Act allowed Hitler to pass laws without the Reichstag.
There is more to this lesson
The full lesson goes on to check your understanding and help you earn the marks. Create a free account to carry on, with your progress saved.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge
Test your understanding of 2O Democracy and Nazism: Germany, 1918–1945 – The Collapse of Democracy, 1928–1933: Political developments: the Reichstag Fire; parties and elections; the Enabling Act and the end of democracy; the state of Germany by March 1933
Active recall beats re-reading. Take an instant quiz now to test what you’ve learned and lock it into long-term memory.
A week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge