“The big joke on democracy,” he observed, “is that it gives its mortal enemies the means to its own destruction.” -Joseph Goebbels

"had succeeded in dismantling a federated constitutional republic entirely through constitutional means."

"promise for the mass deportation of the country’s 100,000 Ostjuden, Jewish immigrants from Eastern Europe, was proving to be more complicated. Many had acquired German citizenship and were gainfully employed."

"decree was issued amnestying National Socialists convicted of crimes, including murder, perpetrated “in the battle for national renewal.” Men convicted of treason were now national heroes."

"Tens of thousands of political opponents were taken into Schutzhaft (“protective custody”), a form of detention in which an individual could be held without cause indefinitely."

"tremendous power to intimidate—and imprison—the political opposition."

"presented a draft decree suspending civil liberties, permitting searches and seizures, and curbing states’ rights during a national emergency."

"promise of doubling tariffs on grain imports had gotten tangled in complexities and contractual obligations."

"designated the Nazi storm troopers as Hilfspolizei, or “deputy police,” compelling the state to provide the brownshirt thugs with sidearms and empowering them with police authority in their street battles."

"'shooting decree,' followed. This permitted the state police to shoot on sight without fearing consequences."

"responsibility over the republic’s federated system, as well as over the country’s electoral system and over the press."

"targeting the Weimar Republic’s key democratic pillars: free speech, due process, public referendum, and states’ rights."

"had campaigned on the promise of draining the 'parliamentarian swamp'"

"make good on his campaign promises to revive the economy, reduce unemployment, increase military spending, withdraw from international treaty obligations, purge the country of foreigners he claimed were “poisoning” the blood of the nation, and exact revenge on political opponents."

"expunging key government officials and filling their positions with loyalists"