The Malicious Practices Act (Verordnung zur Abwehr heimtückischer Diskreditierung der nationalen Regierung) was passed on March 21, 1933 in Nazi Germany.
The Malicious Practices Act was a measure introduced to rid the German state of its ‘oppressors’ and ‘enemies’.
In particular, the Nazi state imposed new legislation that made it illegal to speak wrongly of, or criticise the regime and its leaders.
Protective custody, however, was aimed at the regime's political opponents, in particular those from the left, such as the communists and the social democrats.
He quickly began sacking senior police officers in order to replace them with key Nazi supporters.
The Reichstag fire, which took place on 27 February 1933, was the perfect pretext for the Nazis to launch an attack on their fiercest rivals, the Communists and other left wing parties.
Although there had been a surge of violence and intimidation exerted by the Nazis prior to the passing of the Act, it was by no means as violent and resilient.
As the SA and SS had surrounded the representative buildings no elected officials were able to vote other than the Nazis and their supporters.
As such the Act was passed with ease and consequently this gave Hitler complete dictatorial powers, hence beginning the radicalisation and implementation of total Nazi rule.