A Little History

 A Little History

It was just a bit over 90 years ago that Hitler rose to power in Germany. His ascent involved the systematic removal of freedoms, attacks on minority groups, control of the media, the destruction of books, and the establishment of power through fear and intimidation.

After an arson attack on the seat of parliament, the Reichstag Building, Hitler asked President Paul von Hindenburg to authorize the Enabling Act that would give the Hitler government the power to rule by decree. All laws passed under this Enabling Act could not be challenged by a majority of the Reichstag. This act allowed for laws that violated the Constitution. Under the Weimar Constitution, the president could rule by decree in times of emergency. The Reichstag Fire was blamed on a communist revolt. The declared “emergency” was the threat of a communist revolution that demanded the expansion of Nazi power.

With this unfettered power, one of the first orders of business was Article 48 which limited the freedom of the press. Under Article 48, Hitler issued the Reichstag Fire Decree that suspended civil liberties in Germany. He used his Interior Minister, Herman Goring to enlist thousands of Sturmabteilung (SA) men as “auxiliary policemen” who could attack opponents of the Nazis. Social Democrats were a prime target.

Under the new rule, labor unions were suppressed, political opponents were imprisoned, and Jews were ejected from civil service. When Hindenburg died in 1934, Hitler decreed that the position of President would be abolished, and those powers would now be merged with those of the chancellor under the title Fuhrer.

Before the anticipated death of the 86-year-old Hindenburg, Hitler made a deal with the only group that could challenge him, the military. In exchange for their support, he promised the elimination of the SA (police force) and that they would be the only ones who could bear arms under his watch.

Rule by Executive Order and Decree

You are not alone if you have read the past week's news and seen any parallels with the above. Vilifying minorities, attacking the press, blaming an “immigrant invasion” to declare an emergency requiring military intervention, suspending birthright citizenship in violation of the Fourteenth Amendment, freeing the violent leaders of the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, the attacks on transgender Americans, and the reinstatement of his first term Schedule F executive order to allow mass firing of civil servants who may be replaced by loyalists swearing allegiance to the new leader, all seem reminiscent of a bygone era.

National Archives Building, What is Past is Prologue

Engraved on the National Archives Building in Washington, DC., is a quote from the Immortal Bard’s The Tempest, “What’s past is prologue.” How apropos. We have released the Kraken to do his worst. How long before the less informed among us realize what is happening and say, OMG, what have we done?