Consolidation of power

After taking power in October 1917, Lenin and the Bolsheviks needed to turn their seizure of government into lasting control. This process is called consolidation of power. They faced two connected problems: winning support within Russia and escaping the First World War, which had brought military defeat, shortages and growing hardship.

Consolidation of power meant removing these obstacles and making Nazi rule secure. During 1933–1934, Hitler combined emergency powers, legislation, violence and cooperation with influential groups. Institutions that might have checked the government were weakened, taken over or persuaded to cooperate.