List of members of the Reich Cabinet in 1933-1935, and minutes of a cabinet meeting on 30 January 1933, including a discussion of the current political situation, the Center Party, the Communists, and the need for political and economic stability

LIST OF THEI MEMBERS OF THE REICH CABINET SINCE 30 JANUARY 1933
Reichs Chancellor Adolf Hitler, appointed 30 January 1933 Fuehrer and Reichs Chancellor since 2 August 1934
Name Ap- pointed Reap- pointed Resigned
The Deputy of the Reichs Chancellor von Papen 30.1.1933 30.7.1934
1. The Deputy of the Fuehrer Hess, Reichsminister without portfolio 1.12.33
2. Reichs Minister of Foreign Affairs—Freiherr von Neurath 2.6.32 30,1.33
3. Reichs and Prussian Minister of the Interior—Dr. Frick 30.1.33
4. Reichs War Minister and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces—von Blomberg 30.1.33
5. Reichs Minister for Finance— Graf Schwerin von Krosigk 2.6.32 30.1.33
6. Reichs and Prussian Minister of Economy—Dr. Hugenberg— Dr. Schmitt 30.1.33 29.6.33 * ** 29.6.33 30.7.34 30.1.35
Commissioned: President of the Reichs Bank Directorate—Dr. Schacht 30.7.34 30.1.35 Tempo 6 me Until furt rary or nths her notice
7. Reichs and Prussian Minister for Labor—Seldte 30.1.33
8. Reichs Minister of Justice— Dr. H. C. Guertner 2.6.32 1.2.33
9. Reichs Postmaster General and Reichs and Prussian Minister of Transportation—Freiherr von Eltz-Ruebenach 1.6.32 30.1.33
* 30.7.34 Relieved from the Office Economy for 6 mos.
** 30.1.35 Relieved of his offices.
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of the Reichs Minister for
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Name Ap- pointed Reap- pointed Resigned
10. Reichs and Prussian Minister for Food and Agriculture— Dr. Hugenberg Darre 30.1.33 29.6.33 29.6.33
11. Reichs Minister for Enlightenment and Propaganda—Dr. Goebbels 13.3.33
12. Reichs Minister for Aviation —Goering Reichs Minister without portfolio Reichs Minister for Aviation 30.1.33 5.5.33
13. Reichs and Prussian Minister for Science and Education— Rust 1.5.34
14. Reichs and Prussian Minister for Church Affairs—Kerri Reichs Minister without portfolio Reichs and Prussian Minister for Church Affairs 16.6.34 16.7.35
15. Reichs Minister without portfolio 19.12.34
State Secretary of the Reichs Cabinet:
Dr. Lammers, State Secretary and Chief of the Reichs Chancellory 30.1.33
Press Chief of the Reichs Cabinet —Funk 30.1.33
Director of the Ministry 30.1.33
State Secretary in the Reichs Ministry for Enlightenment and Propaganda 13.3.33
35I-PS
Present at the First Session of the Cabinet of Adolf Hitler on 30 January 1933 at 5:00 p.m.
Present:
Reichs Chancellor Hitler
Deputy of the Reichs Chancellor and Reichs Commissar for the State of Prussia von Papen
Reichs Minister of Foreign Affairs Freiherr von Neurath
Reichs Minister of the Interior Dr. Frick
Reichs Minister of Finance Graf Schwerin von Krosigk
Reichs Minister of Economy Dr. Hugenberg
Reichs Minister of Labor Reichs Minister of Justice Seldte
Reichs Defense Minister von Blomberg
Reichs Postmaster General and Reichs Minister for Transportation Freiherr von Eltz-Ruebenach
Reichs Minister and Reichs Commissar for Aviation Goering
Reichs Commissar for Procurement of Labor Dr. Gercke
State Secretary in the Reichs Chancellory Dr. Lammers
State Secretary in the Office, of the Reichs President Dr. Meissner
Reichs Press Chief, Director in the Ministry Funk
Responsible for the Protocol Counsellor in the Ministry Wienstein
Reichs Minister for Food and Agriculture Dr. Hugenberg
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35I-PS
Subject: The Political Situation.
The Reichs Chancellor opens the session and explains that millions of people within Germany would joyfully greet this day on which a Reich Cabinet under his leadership had been appointed by the Reich President. He asked the members of the Cabinet to give him their confidence as he himself had confidence in each member of the Cabinet.
Then the Chancellor stated that he intended to suggest to the Reich President the appointment of the Counsellor in the Ministry, Dr. Lammers, to the post of State Secretary in the Reich Chancellor in place of the retired State Secretary Planck, and the appointment of the member of the Reichstag, Walter Funk, to the post of Director in the Ministry and Director of the Press Office in place of the retired Director in the Ministry, Marcks.
The Reich Cabinet took note of this. There were no objections against his proposal.
The Reich Chancellor then opened a discussion about the political situation.
Reich Minister Goering stated that he had contacted the Center Party. The Center Party felt offended because they had not been informed about the development of the situation. As he had been informed Reich Chancellor von Papen had not contacted the representatives of the Center Party. He, Reich Minister Goering, was under the impression that the Center Party expected certain concessions from the present Reich Cabinet.
The Reich Minister for Economy and Reich Minister for Food and Agriculture stated that it would be wise to avoid any brusque actions toward the Center Party. However, the representation of the Center Party in the Reich Cabinet was to be avoided since, in his opinion, it would endanger the unity of decisions of that body.
The Reich Chancellor pointed out that adjournment of the Reichstag would be impossible without the collaboration of the Center Party. One might, however, consider suppressing the Communist Party to eliminate its votes in the Reichstag and by this measure achieve a majority in the Reichstag. Based on his experiences, however, such suppressions of parties were of no avail. He was afraid that heavy political fights and possibly a general strike might be the result of this contemplated suppression of the Communist Party of Germany. Surely the economy of the count needed settled conditions. If, however, one discussed the question of the greater danger for the national
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economy, the uncertainty and unrest connected with new elections or a general strike, then one had to arrive at the conclusion that a general strike would be far more dangerous for the national economy.
It appeared flatly impossible to suppress the 6,000,000 people who stood behind the Communist Party of Germany. It might be possible, however, to achieve a majority for the new Reich Cabinet after dissolving the Reichstag and the new elections which had to fall soon. The best thing, however, would be if the Reichstag should adjourn itself voluntarily.
The Reich Minister for Economy and the Reich Minister for Food and Agriculture explained that he certainly has no longing for a general strike. In his opinion, however, it was impossible to avoid the suppression of the Communist Party of Germany. If that were not done one could not achieve a majority in the Reichstag, certainly not a majority of two-thirds.
After the suppression of the KPD the passage of an enabling law through the Reichstag would be possible. He doubted that there would be a general strike after the suppression of the KPD. He preferred the suppression of the KPD to new elections.
Reich Minister Goering stated that the Communists had planned a demonstration for this evening (30 January), which he had prohibited. On the basis of his investigations the KPD would not be prepared for a general strike at the present. The social democrats were pressing for a discussion in Reichstag.
In his opinion it would be best to dissolve the Reichstag as soon as possible and to hold new elections. The Reich Chancellor had given his word that the present constellation of the Reich Cabinet would not be altered even after new elections.
The Reich Chancellor confirmed the correctness of this statement.
The Reich Minister for Labor declared that there was great joy in the ranks of the Steel Helmet [Stahlhelm] about the forming of the present Reich Cabinet. There was no more friction between the Steel Helmet and the SA.
In his opinion it would not be wise to let the first act of the present Reich Cabinet consist in the suppression of the KPD which might result in a general strike.
The Deputy of the Reich Chancellor and the Reich Commissar for Prussia pointed out that the German nation needed a rest. In his opinion it would be best initially to request an Enabling Law from the Reichstag. If such a law would not be passed
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the situation could be tackled anew. The Reich Chancellor declared that the general strike was not to be taken lightly. To suppress a possible general strike the Reichswehr should not be committed, if possible.
The Reich Minister for Defense thanked the Reich Chancellor for this attitude and emphasized that the soldier is only used to thinking of his opponent as an enemy from outside.
The Reich Minister for Foreign Affairs discussed the question of whether a suppression of the KPD with the possible consequence of a general strike were to be preferred to new elections for the Reichstag under foreign political consideration. He came to the conclusion that a suppression of the KPD with the possible consequence of a general strike would be, by far, the more serious outlook.
The Reich Minister for Finance pointed out that the financial status of the Reich, the States, and the Counties could only be adjusted through a slow improvement of the economic situation. He regarded the suppression of the KPD as a last political means. State Secretary Dr. Meissner proposed for the discussion whether an Enabling Law was to be proposed which would contain provisions for measures to be taken by the Reich Cabinet in the interest of combating unemployment. Such an Enabling Law would only require a simple majority in the Reichstag.
Reich Commissar Dr. Gereke stated that the Center Party would not tolerate the Cabinet. Speedy new elections to the Reichstag would become necessary. The Deputy of the Reich Chancellor and the Reich Commissar for the State of Prussia suggested that the Reich Chancellor, in an interview, would state at the earliest opportunity that the rumors about the danger of inflation and the rumors about the danger of the rights of civil servants are untrue. The Reich Chancellor agreed to this. He further informed the meeting that he would contact representatives of the Center Party in the morning of 31 January.
A new meeting of the Ministers is to take place on 31 January at 4:00 p. m.
The Reich Cabinet took note of this.
Signed: Wienstein 31.1.