The path to the passage of the Enabling Act began with the Reichstag fire on February 27, 1933. The fire, which was allegedly started by a communist, was used by Hitler to justify a crackdown on the Communist Party and other political opponents. The government declared a state of emergency and suspended civil liberties.
In the aftermath of the Reichstag fire, Hitler and the Nazis won a majority of seats in the Reichstag in the March 5, 1933, election. However, they did not have a two-thirds majority, which was required to change the constitution.
To obtain the necessary votes, Hitler and the Nazis made a deal with the German National People's Party (DNVP). The DNVP agreed to support the Enabling Act in exchange for concessions, including the appointment of two DNVP members to Hitler's cabinet.
The Enabling Act passed the Reichstag by a vote of 441-94. The only parties to vote against the act were the Social Democratic Party and the Communist Party.
The Enabling Act gave Hitler and the Nazis the power to enact laws without the approval of the Reichstag. This effectively gave Hitler dictatorial powers. He used this power to consolidate his control over Germany and to prepare for war.