Eliza Parr - History
Eliza Parr - History
As I was interested in reading Law at university, and was studying
Nazi Germany for History HL, looking at the Nazi legal system provided
an interesting and accessible perspective for me. Watching the film,
Judgement at Nuremburg provided a useful introduction to legal
positivism, which I discussed in my Oxford interview. I think it is
important to choose a topic that you are interested in, and one of the key
challenges is keeping the essay focused when reading a wide range of
sources. In addition, researching your topic as soon as possible is key,
because it is helpful to discuss it with your supervisor before the
summer holiday.
Supervisor: Neil Tetley
Eliza wrote on ‘To what extent did the Nazi Consolidation of Power
during 1933-1934 Constitute a Legal Revolution?’. It was a superbly
researched essay in which Eliza synthesised a tremendous volume of
material into a clear and persuasive argument. She argued that while
the Nazi consolidation of power gave an appearance of legality, this view
places too much emphasis on the constitutional validity of the Enabling
Act. Nazi legislative acts and decrees in fact undermined the fundamental
principles of the Weimar Constitution which included the separation of
powers, the rule of law and the protection of individual rights.
Contents
Introduction - Definition of Legal Revolution
190
Constitutional Framework 191
Article 48 and the Enabling Act 190
Other Legal Steps in Consolidating Power 193
The Revolutionary Outcome 194
The Undermining of the Separation of Powers 195
The Use of Retroactive Legislation 196
The Destruction of Individual Rights 197
A Veneer of Legality 197
Conclusion 198
Bibliography 200
188