German federal election, 1933

German federal election, 1933. The election was held on March 5, 1933, and was the last free election in Germany before the Nazi Party consolidated power. The election was a significant event in the lead-up to the establishment of the Third Reich, with major parties including the Nazi Party, the Social Democratic Party of Germany, the Communist Party of Germany, and the Centre Party (Germany). The election was also influenced by the Reichstag fire and the subsequent Reichstag Fire Decree, which was signed into law by Paul von Hindenburg and Adolf Hitler.

Background

The background to the election was marked by a period of significant instability in Germany, with the Great Depression having a major impact on the country's economy. The Weimar Republic was struggling to maintain power, and the Nazi Party was gaining popularity under the leadership of Adolf Hitler. Other major parties, including the Social Democratic Party of Germany and the Communist Party of Germany, were also significant players in the election. The Centre Party (Germany), led by Ludwig Kaas, and the German National People's Party, led by Alfred Hugenberg, were also major parties. The election was also influenced by the Treaty of Versailles and the Young Plan, which had imposed significant reparations on Germany.

Campaign

The campaign for the election was marked by a significant amount of violence and intimidation, particularly against the Communist Party of Germany and the Social Democratic Party of Germany. The Nazi Party used a variety of tactics, including the Sturmabteilung and the Schutzstaffel, to disrupt the campaigns of their opponents. The Reichstag fire on February 27, 1933, was also a significant event in the campaign, with the Nazi Party using it as a pretext to crack down on their opponents. The Communist Party of Germany was banned, and many of its leaders, including Ernst Thälmann, were arrested. The Social Democratic Party of Germany and the Centre Party (Germany), led by Otto Wels and Ludwig Kaas, respectively, also faced significant challenges in the campaign.

Results

The results of the election were a significant victory for the Nazi Party, which won 43.9% of the vote and 288 seats in the Reichstag. The Social Democratic Party of Germany won 18.3% of the vote and 120 seats, while the Communist Party of Germany won 12.3% of the vote and 81 seats. The Centre Party (Germany), led by Ludwig Kaas, won 11.3% of the vote and 74 seats. The German National People's Party, led by Alfred Hugenberg, won 8.0% of the vote and 52 seats. The results of the election were influenced by the Reichstag Fire Decree, which had banned the Communist Party of Germany and restricted the activities of other parties.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the election was marked by a significant consolidation of power by the Nazi Party. The Enabling Act was passed on March 23, 1933, which gave the Nazi Party the power to pass laws without the approval of the Reichstag. The Reichstag was also dissolved, and many of its members, including Otto Wels and Ludwig Kaas, were arrested or forced into exile. The Nazi Party also established the Gestapo, led by Heinrich Himmler, and the SS, led by Heinrich Himmler and Reinhard Heydrich, to suppress opposition. The Nuremberg Laws were also passed, which stripped Jews of their citizenship and prohibited them from marrying Aryans. The Kristallnacht also occurred, which was a wave of violence against Jews and their property.

Historical Context

The historical context of the election was marked by a period of significant instability in Europe, with the Great Depression having a major impact on the economy of many countries. The Treaty of Versailles and the Young Plan had imposed significant reparations on Germany, which had contributed to the country's economic instability. The Rise of Fascism in Italy, led by Benito Mussolini, and the Rise of Nationalism in Japan, led by Hirohito, were also significant events in the historical context of the election. The Spanish Civil War and the Italian invasion of Ethiopia were also significant events that occurred in the aftermath of the election. The Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact and the Invasion of Poland also occurred, which marked the beginning of World War II. The Yalta Conference and the Potsdam Conference were also significant events that occurred in the aftermath of the war. The Nuremberg Trials were also held, which prosecuted top Nazi officials, including Hermann Göring and Rudolf Hess, for their role in the war and the Holocaust.