Reasons for Hitler to Introduce Laws for Protection of People and the State
Why was the Decree for the Protection of people and state (Verordnung des Reichspräsidenten zum Schutz von Volk und Staat) introduced in February 1933?
Popularly known as the Reichstag Fire Decree, it meant that Sections 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124, and 153, of the German constitution were suspended until further notice. The decree consisted of six articles. Article 1 suspended most of the civil liberties set forth in the Weimar Constitution — freedom of the person, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, the right of free association and public assembly, the secrecy of the post and telephone, not to mention the protection of property and the home. Articles 2 and 3 allowed the Reich government to assume powers normally reserved to the federal states (Länder). Articles 4 and 5 established draconian penalties for certain offenses, including the death penalty for arson to public buildings. Article 6 simply stated that the decree took effect on the day of its proclamation.
In terms of Political power it can be argued that it marked the first step in the implementation of the Nazi volkgemeinschaft as it effectively allowed Hitler to eliminate political opposition as the right of freedom the press was removed, this therefore allowed Hitler complete access to all propaganda methods within Germany as Göring was MWP (Minister Without Portfolio) this therefore meant that Hitler could gradually begin implementing Gleichshaltung within the propaganda system, this meant that Hitler could utilise new propaganda methods such as the radio for his own ends due to his, and only his, access to the funds available to the government at the time, also as opposition leaders were arrested, Hitler was also able to eliminate much of the significant political presence within the German political climate of 1933, as the leaders of the SPD (Socialist Party Germany) and the KPD (Communist Party Germany) were arrested, this therefore made a more significant amount of voters
Popularly known as the Reichstag Fire Decree, it meant that Sections 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124, and 153, of the German constitution were suspended until further notice. The decree consisted of six articles. Article 1 suspended most of the civil liberties set forth in the Weimar Constitution — freedom of the person, freedom of expression, freedom of the press, the right of free association and public assembly, the secrecy of the post and telephone, not to mention the protection of property and the home. Articles 2 and 3 allowed the Reich government to assume powers normally reserved to the federal states (Länder). Articles 4 and 5 established draconian penalties for certain offenses, including the death penalty for arson to public buildings. Article 6 simply stated that the decree took effect on the day of its proclamation.
In terms of Political power it can be argued that it marked the first step in the implementation of the Nazi volkgemeinschaft as it effectively allowed Hitler to eliminate political opposition as the right of freedom the press was removed, this therefore allowed Hitler complete access to all propaganda methods within Germany as Göring was MWP (Minister Without Portfolio) this therefore meant that Hitler could gradually begin implementing Gleichshaltung within the propaganda system, this meant that Hitler could utilise new propaganda methods such as the radio for his own ends due to his, and only his, access to the funds available to the government at the time, also as opposition leaders were arrested, Hitler was also able to eliminate much of the significant political presence within the German political climate of 1933, as the leaders of the SPD (Socialist Party Germany) and the KPD (Communist Party Germany) were arrested, this therefore made a more significant amount of voters