Adolf Hitler began his rise to power by trying to help the economy during the Great Depression. He used John Maynard keynes' theories such as using work projects like the Autobahn to kickstart the economy and gain popularity. Hitler's henchmen known as the brownshirts were used in the late 20's and early 30's to harass opposition parties and started the first major anti-Jewish actions. In 1928 12 members of the Nazi party were elected to Reichstag. In February 1933, a dutch communist was convicted of the crime of burning down the Reichstag building. This fire was used as evidence of the plotting of the communists against the German government and Hitler bullied the Reichstag into passing the enabling act to face the so called communist revolution. Hindenburg made Hitler the chancellor to use as a tool against the communists. Threats from the brownshirts also helped Hitler in the agreement of the enabling act which allowed the chancellor (Hitler) to pass laws without the confirmation of the Reichstag. This was a major step in Hitler's rise to power. By July in 1933 all other political parties were banned. Eventually anti-Jewish laws were introduced such as the Nuremberg laws and the Holocaust began. I think that the Holocaust was able to happen due to the threats and bullying from Hitler and the brownshirts to get what was wanted. In one case the threats allowed the enabling act to be agreed to by the Reichstag.