The+Enabling+Act

The Enabling Act was a bill proposed by Hitler in March 1933 which would remove all parliamentary procedure and legislation for four years. Instead, the powers would be transferred to the chancellor, Hitler, and his government. Through the Enabling Act, Hitler was legally able to have absolute power. Many Germans were against this Act because it would give Hitler too much power over the government. In an effort to reinsure the citizens Hitler made a speech on March 23 1933. In this speech Hitler promised "to respect the rights of the Catholic Church and to uphold religious and moral values"(11). Hitler did not keep these promises and the Enabling Act was passed by 444 votes to 94 votes. German scholar Karl Bracher noted this take over as a 'legal revolution', and within a few weeks Hitler was able to create a one-party totalitarian dictatorship.

Works Cited Layton, Geoff. __The Third Reich 1933-1945__. Third Edition. London. Hodder-Murray 2005.