What was the Enabling Act of 1933?

The Enabling Act of 1933 was a crucial piece of legislation that gave Adolf Hitler the authority to enact laws without the approval of the Reichstag, the German parliament. This act was passed on March 24, 1933, and effectively allowed Hitler to consolidate power and establish a legal dictatorship. With this law, the Nazi regime could bypass traditional legislative processes, enabling them to implement their policies rapidly and suppress any opposition. The act significantly diminished the role of the Reichstag in German governance and paved the way for the authoritarian state that characterized Nazi Germany. This legislation is often seen as one of the critical steps in dismantling democratic structures in the country and facilitating the rise of totalitarian rule.