Essay Question: How did the Enabling Act help Hitler establish Nazi control over Germany?

Introduction Thesis: Briefly outline that the Enabling Act was a crucial step that gave Hitler dictatorial powers, enabling him to dismantle democracy and establish totalitarian rule.

Point 1 with Evidence: Explain that the Enabling Act allowed Hitler to pass laws without parliamentary approval, effectively giving him dictatorial authority. Provenance: Passed by the Reichstag on 23 March 1933, with support from the Nazi Party and allies.

Point 2 with Evidence: Analyse how the Act facilitated the suppression of political opposition, including the banning of other parties and persecution of opponents. Provenance: Law for the Restoration of a Professional Civil Service, and subsequent laws that removed Jews and political opponents from civil service.

Counter-argument: Outline that some historians argue the Act was not solely responsible for Nazi control, pointing to other factors like propaganda, the SA, and Hitler's personality. Provenance: Various historians such as Richard J. Evans emphasize multiple factors in Hitler’s rise.

Conclusion: Summarise that while the Enabling Act was vital, it was part of a broader strategy that enabled Hitler to consolidate power and establish a totalitarian state.

Questions to Guide Planning:

1. Outline the purpose of the Enabling Act. (3 marks)

   • Indicative Content: Describe what the Act did (gave Hitler power to make laws without Reichstag approval), and why it was important.
   • Model Answer: The Enabling Act allowed Hitler to rule by decree, which enabled him to dismantle democracy and implement Nazi policies without opposition.

2. Explain how the Enabling Act helped Hitler suppress political opponents. (4 marks)

   • Indicative Content: Discuss how laws passed under the Act led to banning other parties, arresting opponents, and consolidating Nazi control.
   • Model Answer: The Act facilitated the banning of all other political parties and enabled the arrest of opposition leaders, helping Hitler eliminate political threats.

3. Compare the importance of the Enabling Act with other factors in Hitler’s rise to power. (6 marks)

   • Indicative Content: Consider propaganda, the SA, economic factors, and Hitler’s personality.
   • Model Answer: While the Enabling Act was crucial in establishing Hitler’s dictatorship, factors like propaganda, the support of the SA, and his personal leadership also played significant roles.

4. Analyse the significance of the Enabling Act in the context of Nazi control. (6 marks)

   • Indicative Content: Examine how the Act marked the transition from parliamentary democracy to dictatorship.
   • Model Answer: The Enabling Act was a turning point that legally empowered Hitler to rule as a dictator, leading to the suppression of opposition and the establishment of a totalitarian regime.

5. Explain why the Enabling Act was passed with support from other political parties. (3 marks)

   • Indicative Content: Discuss the political climate, fear of communism, and the Nazi strategy.
   • Model Answer: The Act was passed because many politicians believed it was necessary to prevent a communist uprising and underestimated Hitler’s intentions.

6. Outline the consequences of the Enabling Act for German democracy. (4 marks)

   • Indicative Content: Describe how the Act led to the end of democracy, the banning of opposition, and the rise of totalitarian rule.
   • Model Answer: The Enabling Act resulted in the collapse of democracy, enabling Hitler to rule by decree and establish a dictatorship.

7. Write a brief paragraph summarising the importance of the Enabling Act in Nazi Germany. (4 marks)

   • Indicative Content: Summarise key points about how it enabled Hitler to consolidate power.
   • Model Answer: The Enabling Act was a decisive law that granted Hitler dictatorial powers, allowing him to dismantle the Weimar Republic and establish Nazi control.

8. Compare the Enabling Act to another method Hitler used to maintain power. (6 marks)

   • Indicative Content: Consider propaganda, the Night of the Long Knives, or the Gestapo.
   • Model Answer: While the Enabling Act legally established Hitler’s dictatorship, methods like propaganda and repression through the Gestapo helped maintain and strengthen his control.

9. Analyse the role of the Nazi Party in securing support for the Enabling Act. (6 marks)

   • Indicative Content: Discuss how the Nazi Party used propaganda, intimidation, and political pressure.
   • Model Answer: The Nazi Party used propaganda to sway public opinion and employed intimidation tactics to pressure politicians into supporting the Act.

10. Write a conclusion paragraph explaining the overall impact of the Enabling Act on Nazi Germany. (4 marks)

    • Indicative Content: Summarise that it was a critical step in Hitler’s totalitarian rule.
    • Model Answer: The Enabling Act was pivotal in enabling Hitler to establish a totalitarian regime, destroying democracy and consolidating Nazi control over Germany.