GCSE History AQA: Germany 1890-1945 - Reichstag Fire and Enabling Act

Lessons cover Hitler and the Nazis’ consolidation of power after Hitler was made chancellor.

First lesson begins with a recap of the sequence of event which led to Hitler being made Chancellor before outlining his problem - he needs to win the upcoming election. Video clip from the Rise of Evil (hyperlink in PPT) is then supported by textbook work looking at the events and motives behind the fire.

Pupils then learn how this enabled the Nazis to crush the communists with Emergency Powers before moving on to the results of the March 33 election.

Second lesson picks up on the election, starting with source analysis before explaining why the Nazis still don’t have things as they would like. Information and video clip then cover the Enabling Act before pupils then have to complete a written consolidation task. This could be changed into a GCSE style ‘write an account question’. I tend to print out the following slide which shows how the Nazis quickly addressed threats as it is an easy-to-read flow chart. This then introduces Hitler’s next problem - the SA

Lesson is presented in an easy-to-use style and Powerpoint is self-explanatory. Referred to Enabling Act sheet can be printed from end of powerpoint.

Lesson uses the the old AQA GCSE History B Twentieth Century Depth Studies (Aqa Gcse History B Unit 2) but this can be adapted if book not accessible.