24th March 1933
Third Reich - First Day

The Third Reich - Its first day on 24th March 1933?

Notes

Third Reich first established in literature by Arthur Moeller van der Bruck in Das Dritte Reich published in 1923.

'Written at a time when the Weimar Republic was struggling to contain revolutionary forces from both the right and left, Moeller’s treatise espoused a conservative doctrine that called for the elevation of German intellectualism and nationalism. Both Marxism and Western-style democracy were regarded as impediments to Germany’s rightful ascent to supremacy in Europe, and Moeller proposed that the realization of the Third, or final, Empire would see the harmonious fusion of Germany’s socialist and conservative movements. Positioning his theoretical Reich as the third in a series may have been an attempt to evoke the Hegelian concept of synthesis or an invocation of Joachim of Fiore’s Trinitarian philosophy of history. Moeller’s Third Reich was not, however, overtly national socialist in character.' (Source: Encyclopedia Britannica)

'Third' Empire:

The First German Empire can be identified historically as the period beginning in the 9th cenutry to 1806. It has been known as the German Empire, Roman-German Empire, the old Empire, and latterly as the First Reich.

The Second German Empire can be identified historically as the period beginning on 18th January 1871 and ending on 9th November 1918. It has been known as the German Empire, Imperial Germany, the Second Reich, and simply Germany.

The German Reich, commonly known as the Weimar Republic, came into being on the 9th November 1918 and lasted until 23rd March 1933.

The Third German Empire can be construed as beginning on the 23rd March 1933 following the establishment of the Enabling Act of 1933 and the end of the Weimar Republic. However, certain key dates serve as a path in its establishment that need clarification:

30th January 1933 - Adolf Hitler is appointed Chancellor of Germany (by President Paul von Hindenburg). This is during the Weimar Republic and is referred to as the 'Seizure of Power'.

28th February 1933 - The Reichstag Fire Decree. Following a day after the Reichstag Fire, President Paul von Hindenburg was persuaded by Adolf Hitler to nullify key liberties valued by German citizens under the pretence of averting unrest and civil war. A charge firmly laid at the door of the opposition Communist Party (KDP) and those opposing the NSDAP.

14th July 1933 - The enactment of the Law Against the Formation of Parties that established the Nazi Party (NSDAP) as the only legal political party in Germany.

1st August 1934 - The enactment of the Law Concerning the Head of State of the German Reich. This law consolidated the roles of President and Chancellor into one entity, that being Adolf Hitler.

19th August 1934 - The referendum on merging the posts of President and Chancellor to which nearly 90% of the voters responded positively. Thus Adolf Hitler was legitimatised as both Chancellor and Führer.

Amongst other moves to establish control of Germany, there is no doubt that the concepts of Third Reich was building on firm dictatorial foundations.

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