The rise of the Nazi Party in Germany and their eventual accession to power marked the beginnings of a totalitarian state from 1933 to 1945. Under the rule of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party, Germany was transformed from one of the most democratic nations in the world to a state with one man at the helm. This radical and continual change, and the realisation and formation of a totalitarian state were not complete for many years after 1933. The Nazi Party under Hitler's directive authority cemented into Germany an ideology that accepted the actions of their leader as if it was the very will of a supreme being.

The period of change, and its continuity is attributed to a number of factors. By looking at how Hitler created the new Nazi State, and by understanding how it was maintained helps to evaluate the extent to which a totalitarian state was established.

Certain events that further established and cemented the Nazi rule, and also show the extent of their total power include the passing of specific legislation, the Night of Long knives, and the Night of Broken glass. The reasons for these events, the fact that they were stage

In this sense, the extent to which Germany was transformed lies with the inner workings of the party. Its leader, its official ideology and its practices are all styled in a total manner.

With the elections over and having won 288 seats in the Reichstag, the Nazis next sought to increase their control. On the 24 March 1933 the Enabling Act was passed. This bill altered the constitution, giving the government the power to pass laws "without the need to go to the Reichstag or President". The passing of this bill now made Hitler independent of the Reichstag or the President, and laws came into being simply when the Government announced them.

In 1934 Hitler issued the Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich, which abolished the German States and effectively the Reichsrat (Senate).

In April Hitler announced two major laws. The Law for the Co-ordination of the States with the Reich, which placed a Reich Governor to ensure that the state governments implemented to policies of the government in Berlin. The next law, the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service which removed civil servants of Jewish descent, those who lacked sufficient qualifications and those who did not agree with the 'interest of the national state'. With the proclamation of this law, Hitler had gained total control over the civil service.

The Night Of Broken Glass showed just how supreme Nazi control was. The actions taken by the government reflect those taken by a Totalitarian state. This systematic attack against the Jews, launched on 9 November 1938, included the destruction and burning of Jewish property's. It resulted in the death of over 90 people, 191 synagogues being brunt down, and nearly 1000 Jewish shops looted. The Jews were defenceless and those that remained had no rights to protect their lives. In a Totalitarian state, their existence was greatly threatened.

Within the political system Hitler, as soon as he had become Chancellor on January 30 1933, set out to make himself legal dictator. His first decision as Chancellor was to call for new elections for March. One week before the elections on the 27 March 1933, the Reichstag building was burnt down. The Nazis took full advantage of this situation. Hitler and the Nazis placed the blame on the communist and begun arresting many communist. They also began to apply pressure on President Hindenburg to issue an emergency decree. On the very next day the Nazis gained the result they wanted. A Presidential Decree For the Protection of People and State was issued. Effectively this decree suspended the civil liberty clauses and basic freedoms for German people, which were outlined in the constitution.

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