What Happened This Year 1933
Historical Events from This Year 1933
Beer Repeal Begins Prohibition's End
Beer with no more than 3.2% alcohol by weight was legalized, marking a significant shift in American alcohol policy. This legislative change followed a long period of Prohibition that banished alcohol sales and consumption. The move was part of the broader effort to stabilize the economy during the Great Depression and restore tax revenues lost due to the ban. Celebrated as National Beer Day, this event foreshadowed the complete repeal of Prohibition with the forthcoming Twenty-first Amendment.
Continue ReadingCivil Service Law Bans Jews and Dissidents
The Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service was enacted in Germany to exclude Jews and political dissidents from public service positions. This legislation aimed to 'cleanse' the civil service, which was seen as essential for establishing a homogeneous and ideologically aligned government under Adolf Hitler's regime. The law was part of a broader campaign to institutionalize anti-Semitic policies throughout Germany, marking a significant step in the Nazi government's efforts to enforce Aryan supremacy.
Continue ReadingPersecution of Jehovah's Witnesses Begins
Nazi Germany initiated the suppression of Jehovah's Witnesses by closing the Watch Tower Society office in Magdeburg. The closure was part of a larger effort by the Nazi regime to target groups that opposed their ideologies. Jehovah's Witnesses, known for their refusal to salute the flag or serve in the military, faced increasing violence and repression as the regime sought to consolidate power and control over the population. This action marked a significant early step in a systematic campaign against religious minorities.
Continue ReadingLimitations on Jewish Students in Germany
The Law Against Overcrowding in Schools and Universities was enacted to limit the enrollment of Jewish students in public educational institutions across Germany. The law aimed to reduce the number of Jewish students, imposing quotas that reflected the proportion of Jews in the general population. This significant legislation marked a crucial step in the Nazi regime's efforts to isolate Jewish citizens, shaping a more exclusive educational landscape in Germany and laying the groundwork for broader discriminatory policies.
Continue ReadingEstablishment of the Gestapo by Hermann Göring
Hermann Göring officially established the Gestapo, the secret state police of Nazi Germany, aimed at combating opposition to the Nazi regime. This organization operated under the Ministry of the Interior, consolidating police power in the country and marking a significant move towards totalitarian control. It became notorious for its brutal methods and widespread surveillance, targeting political dissidents, Jews, and other groups deemed undesirable by the regime.
Continue ReadingFormation of the German Labour Front Established
In May 1933, the Nazi regime dissolved all independent labor unions in Germany, replacing them with the German Labour Front (Deutsche Arbeitsfront). This organization was founded to control the workforce and ensure that workers' interests aligned closely with the goals of the Nazi party. The leadership of the new organization was centered around Robert Ley, who served as the head of the Labour Front. This move allowed the Nazis to suppress dissent and consolidate power over labor relations.
Continue ReadingAttack on Magnus Hirschfeld's Institute
Members of the Deutsche Studentenschaft violently attacked Magnus Hirschfeld's Institut für Sexualwissenschaft in Berlin, destroying property and burning many of its books. This attack was part of a broader campaign against what the attackers viewed as un-German elements in society, particularly in the realm of sexuality and science. Hirschfeld's institute was one of the first in the world dedicated to the study of sexuality and gender, making it a target for those opposed to his progressive views.
Continue ReadingGandhi's Fast for Harijan Rights
Mohandas Gandhi began a 21-day fast to promote self-purification and initiated a year-long campaign aimed at improving the conditions of the Harijans, a term he coined for the untouchables in India. His actions were part of a broader movement advocating for social reform and equality. Gandhi's fast symbolized his commitment to nonviolence and civil disobedience as methods for social change. This event took place in India, where social stratification was a significant issue. Gandhi's goal was to awaken the conscience of the nation regarding social injustice and to advocate for the rights and dignity of the marginalized communities in society.
Continue ReadingNazis Organize Mass Book Burnings Across Germany
In a coordinated effort across various German cities, members of the Nazi party organized massive public book burnings targeting works deemed 'un-German.' Books by Jewish authors, leftist thinkers, and others opposing Nazi ideology were thrown into bonfires. These burnings were held in prominent public spaces, symbolizing the suppression of intellectual freedom and the enforcement of Nazi cultural homogeneity. The event was led by the German Student Union, aligning closely with the regime’s goals of promoting Aryan values.
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