Chronology: Key Events in the Nazis Use of Propaganda, 1933–39

1933

30 January Hitler appointed Chancellor by President Hindenburg. Only two other Nazis in cabinet (Frick and Goering).

27 February Reichstag (Parliament) building burned down.

28 February Reichstag Fire Decree or Law for the Protection of People and State.

5 March Reichstag elections: Nazis gain 43.9% and 288 seats.

13 March Reich Ministry for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda created (1).

23 March Enabling Act passed by Reichstag.

2 May Banning of free trade unions; leaders arrested.

14 July No other parties allowed; Germany becomes a one-party state.

14 October Germany leaves League of Nations.

1934

30 January Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich, abolishes any local government power.

30 June Night of the Long Knives (2).

2 August Death of President Hindenburg; Hitler proclaimed Fuehrer (3).

19 August 89.9% majority vote to back Hitler’s actions in becoming Führer.

1934

January Saarland Plebiscite (4).

16 March Conscription introduced.

18 June Anglo–German Naval Treaty.

15 September Nuremburg Laws set out discrimination against Jews. Laws deprive Jews of citizenship.

1936

7 March German troops reoccupy demilitarised Rhineland (5).

1 August Opening of Berlin Olympic Games (6).

9 September Four Year Plan for the economy announced; Hitler commits to war in four years.

25 November Anti-Comintern Pact announced with Japan.

1 December Hitler Youth to be the state youth organisation; other youth organisations wither away.

1937

30 January Enabling Act extended for further four years. This continues the Nazi regime.

25 September State visit by Mussolini.

6 November Italy joins the Anti-Comintern Pact.

1938

4 February Hitler takes over as supreme commander of the Army. Ribbentrop becomes Foreign Minister.

12 March German troops march into Austria.

10 April 99% support for Hitler’s actions in Austria in a plebiscite in Germany.

17 August Jews told to add Sara or Israel to existing names.

September Sudeten crisis.

29–30 September Munich Conference gives Sudetenland to Germany; Hitler’s threats pay off.

9–10 November Reichskristallnacht: Crystal Night, nationwide attacks on Jews.

1939

30 January Hitler’s speech to Reichstag threatens Europe’s Jewish population.

14–15 March German troops invade remainder of Czechoslovakia (Bohemia and Moravia).

31 March Britain and France guarantee support for Poland.

22 May Germany and Italy sign Pact of Steel.

23 August Germany and USSR sign non-aggression treaty (Nazi–Soviet Pact).

1 September Germany attacks Poland.

3 September Britain and France declare war on Germany.

1. Goebbels was instrumental in setting up and directing the Nazi propaganda machine. Although his personal interest lay in films, he oversaw radio broadcasts, newspaper and book publishing, and all forms of cultural activity.
2. Hitler acts to remove (and have killed) Ernst Röhm, leader of the Sturm Abteilung (Storm Troopers). This removed potential opposition from within the Nazi Party.
3. Now head of state (formerly the job of the President) and Chancellor, Hitler had near absolute power in Germany.
4. A majority of 90.8% voted to rejoin Germany, which was a major propaganda victory for the Nazis.
5. This was another outstanding propaganda success for the Nazis: not only did Hitler defy the League of Nations and the Treaty of Versailles, which this occupation broke, he showed that he could restore German pride without the loss of life.
6. The successful staging of this event gave the Nazis the opportunity to show that all was well in Germany.