Posted on 08/25/2009 12:23:50 AM PDT by voveo
Hitler's Enabling Act
On March 23, 1933, the newly elected members of the German Parliament (the Reichstag) met in the Kroll Opera House in Berlin to consider passing Hitler's Enabling Act. It was officially called the 'Law for Removing the Distress of the People and the Reich.' If passed, it would effectively mean the end of democracy in Germany and establish the legal dictatorship of Adolf Hitler.
The 'distress' had been secretly caused by the Nazis themselves in order to create a crisis atmosphere that would make the law seem necessary to restore order. On February 27, 1933, they had burned the Reichstag building, seat of the German government, causing panic and outrage. The Nazis successfully blamed the fire on the Communists and claimed it marked the beginning of a widespread uprising.
On the day of the vote, Nazi storm troopers gathered in a show of force around the opera house chanting, "Full powers - or else! We want the bill - or fire and murder!!" They also stood inside in the hallways, and even lined the aisles where the vote would take place, glaring menacingly at anyone who might oppose Hitler's will.
Just before the vote, Hitler made a speech to the Reichstag in which he pledged to use restraint.
"The government will make use of these powers only insofar as they are essential for carrying out vitally necessary measures...The number of cases in which an internal necessity exists for having recourse to such a law is in itself a limited one." - Hitler told the Reichstag.
He also promised an end to unemployment and pledged to promote peace with France, Great Britain and the Soviet Union. But in order to do all this, Hitler said, he first needed the Enabling Act.
A two thirds majority was needed, since the law would actually alter the German constitution. Hitler needed 31 non-Nazi votes to pass it. He got those votes from the Center Party after making a false promise to restore some basic rights already taken away by decree.
However, one man arose amid the overwhelming might. Otto Wells, leader of the Social Democrats stood up and spoke quietly to Hitler.
"We German Social Democrats pledge ourselves solemnly in this historic hour to the principles of humanity and justice, of freedom and socialism. No enabling act can give you power to destroy ideas which are eternal and indestructible."
This enraged Hitler and he jumped up to respond.
"You are no longer needed! - The star of Germany will rise and yours will sink! Your death knell has sounded!"
The vote was taken - 441 for, only 84, the Social Democrats, against. The Nazis leapt to their feet clapping, stamping and shouting, then broke into the Nazi anthem, the Hörst Wessel song.
They achieved what Hitler had wanted for years - to tear down the German Democratic Republic legally and end democracy, thus paving the way for a complete Nazi takeover of Germany.
From this day on, the Reichstag would be just a sounding board, a cheering section for Hitler's pronouncements.
It appears that Zero and Emanuel are trying to create a crisis as soon as possible.
Some myths never die. The power Hitler got through the Enabling Act was provided for in the Wiemar constitution. Every chancellor prior to Hitler asked for it and was given it. The real difference was that Hitler was initially refused Article V authority because Hindenburg hated him (Apart from being a commoner, Hitler had had the bad manners to run against Hindenburg for the office of President).
Law to Remove the Distress of the People and the State (The Enabling Act)
The Reichstag has passed the following law, which is, with the approval of the Reichsrat, herewith promulgated, after it has been established that it meets the requirements for legislation altering the Constitution.
Article 1. National laws can be enacted by the Reich Cabinet as well as in accordance with the procedure established in the Constitution. This also applies to the laws referred to in Article 85, Paragraph 2, and in Article 87 of the Constitution.
Article 2. The national laws enacted by the Reich Cabinet may deviate from the Constitution as long as they do not affect the position of the Reichstag and the Reichsrat. The powers of the President remain undisturbed.
Article 3. The national laws enacted by the Reich Cabinet shall be prepared by the Chancellor and published in the Reichsgesetzblatt. They come into effect, unless otherwise specified, the day after their publication. Articles 68-77 of the Constitution do not apply to the laws enacted by the Reich Cabinet.
Article 4. Treaties of the Reich with foreign states which concern matters of national legislation do not require the consent of the bodies participating in legislation. The Reich Cabinet is empowered to issue the necessary provisions for the implementation of these treaties.
Article 5. This law becomes effective on the day of its publication. It becomes invalid on April 1, 1937; it also becomes invalid if the present Reich Cabinet is replaced by another.
Every chancellor prior to Hitler asked for and received dictatorial powers based on this constitutional provision. They each justified it based on the economic crisis. Hitler tried that justification too but was denied. So the Nazi's staged another type of crisis.If a state (8) does not fulfill the obligations laid upon it by the Reich constitution or the Reich laws, the Reich President may use armed force to cause it to oblige.
In case public safety is seriously threatened or disturbed, the Reich President may take the measures necessary to reestablish law and order, if necessary using armed force.
In the pursuit of this aim he may suspend the civil rights described in articles 114, 115, 117, 118, 123, 124 and 154, partially or entirely.
The Reich President has to inform Reichstag immediately about all measures undertaken which are based on paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article.
The measures have to be suspended immediately if Reichstag demands so.
If danger is imminent, the state government may, for their specific territory, implement steps as described in paragraph 2.
These steps have to be suspended if so demanded by the Reich President or the Reichstag. Further details are provided by Reich law.
The real culprits, in my opinion, are the Socialists who wrote the Weimar constitution.
big, big, big difference here folks. 50 governors. 50 state legislators, judges, supremes, etc... 2nd amendment. 250 million privatly held and legal weapons.
Our country was founded and set up in such a way that not even a civil war can or will destroy it.
Just more growing pains and some political hack trying to be all he wishes he could be. Kenya would have been a better target.
The concept of continuous crises with nothing but radical solutions accepted out of fear is very relevant IMO. Quite a few significant differences of course, but the trends towards less personal, social, and economic freedoms along with the process it’s being obtained warrant a comparison.
Gee, this sounds like that thug Obama.
I certainly agree that the parallels of the principles is strikingly similar but the countries are polar opposites.
October 2010..... The Capitol is burned down by Democrats wearing anti-Obama t-shirts and carrying anti-Obama signs.
Obama makes a prime time address calling the nation to unite against hatred and the media fans the flames.
Democrats rout the GOP.
All other political parties banned on the second day of the new Congress.
"You are no longer needed! -- The star of Germany will rise and yours will sink! Your death knell has sounded!"
Nazi storm troopers gathered in a show of force around the opera house chanting, “Full powers. Or as Obama calls the czars.
You’re right about the myths thing.
Most historians today don’t believe the Nazis actually set the fire, although they exploited it and some elements of the party may have been aware that a Dutch commie who wasn’t playing with a full deck planned to set the fire.
Seems like we are right in the midst of the same mind set commies and socialist at war. The winner is taking his spoils.
I am of the mind lately that we need a Civil War in order to SAVE our country. I know it is an extreme view, but more and more, as events pile on, I am convinced the only way to restore our nation to its' previous level of greatness is the cartridge box. The ballot box has failed.
Love your attitude!
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