The law for the protection of the people and state February 1933?

This law meant that thousands of Communists and Socialists in Germany were arrested, following the Reichstag fire which Hitler blamed on the Communists. Thus, this eliminated any opposition Hitler faced in the election which would be held in March 1933 - a week after the burning of the Reichstag.

As part of this law, freedom of speech was suspended and left wing groups were banned. The SA dealt with those who publicly opposed Hitler. Newspapers were also shut down in relation to this law.