The establishment of the Nazi Dictatorship and its domestic policies Feb 1933–1939

Question 1

what is censorship

Answer 1

the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.​

Question 2

who controlled censorship

Answer 2

Goebbels

Question 3

how did Goebbels control cnesorship

Answer 3

exercised censorship through the Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda and the requirement for artists, writers, film makers to be members of the various chambers of the** Reich Chamber of Culture​**

Question 4

what were the nazi’s trying to achive

Answer 4

• Gleichschaltung – Nazification of German institutions and society
• To maintain Hitler in power by keeping the population contented and building support for the regime’s policies. (Terror was used against people who refused to be won over)​
• To indoctrinate the people with Weltanschauung (Nazi world view) and create a Volksgemeinschaft
• to promote the hitlter myth

Question 6

Volksgemeinschaft meaningg

Answer 6

rooted in the notion of uniting people across class divides to achieve a national purpose

for nazi’s this meant an aryan national community

Question 7

what were methods of propaganda

Answer 7

• Government and party institutions
• Media (Press, Radio, Film)
• Meetings and rallies
  Sport
• Art and Architecture
• Literature
• Theatre

Question 8

when was the reich ministry for popular enlightenment and propangada created

Answer 8

march 1933

Question 9

who headed the reich ministry for popular enlightenment and propangada

Answer 9

goebbels

Question 10

how many people were employed at the reich ministry for popular enlightenment and propangada by 1937

Answer 10

14,000

Question 11

when was the reich chamber of culture created

Answer 11

september 1933

Question 12

what was the reich chamber of culture used for

Answer 12

‘to promote German culture for the benefit of the Volk and the Reich’

Question 13

what was the reich chamber of culture made of

Answer 13

contained 7 sub-chambers

Question 14

membership of the reich chamber of culture

Answer 14

was compulsory for people involved in cultral activites

Question 15

what did the reich chamber of culture control

Answer 15

controlled artistic activities, licensed events, could close newspapers and expel members

Question 16

what played an imp. role in propaganda in nazi rule

Answer 16

technology- emonstrate the power of the state – e.g., radio and advances in construction to build autobahns

Question 17

how was the press controlled

nazi rule

Answer 17

the press was controlled through compulsory membership of its members of co-ordinating bodies, control of content and state ownership

Journalists, editors and publishers had to be members of the Reich Press Chamber and the Reich Association of the German Press

The October 1933 law:

The RMVP German Press Agency told editors what to include in their newspapers’ content

Gradually, the state took over ownership of the press but kept their original title names

Question 18

what was the october 1933 law (the press)

Answer 18

made editors responsible for infringements of government directives and they were obliged to exclude anything that was against the interests of the German state

Question 19

how much of the circulation of press did teh state control in 1933, 1939 and 1944

Answer 19

1933- 3%
1939- 69%
1944- 82%

Question 20

nazi control of radio

Answer 20

Radio had been state regulated since 1925 by the Reich Radio Company​

51% of radio was owned by the Ministry of Posts and 40% by 9 regional broadcast companies – these bodies determined what was broadcast​

In 1933 radio was taken over by the Reich governors​

In 1934 a unified radio system was created under the Broadcasting Department of the RMVP​

There was mass production of cheap ‘people’s receivers’

By 1939 70% of households owned a radio set​

There were also public speakers so that people could listen to important broadcasts at work and out and about​

There was only one radio station, broadcasting a mix of light entertainment and Hitler’s key speeches​

In 1933, an estimated 56 million people listened to Hitler’s speeches

Question 21

how many ‘people’s recievers’ were there in 1933 and 1943

Answer 21

1933- 7mil
1943- 16mil

Question 22

nazi control of film

Answer 22

Germany had a thriving film industry in the 1920s, rivalling Hollywood​

In the 1930s the number of filmgoers quadrupled​

The four major German film companies stayed in private ownership until 1942 when they were nationalised.​

However, the government had been increasingly exerting control and buying up shares in these companies in the meantime​

German films tended to be entertainment rather than propaganda​

Foreign films were censored and those thought to be contrary to the regime’s values were banned

Question 23

propaganda filsm from nazi era

Answer 23

Triumph of the Will (1935)​

Olympia (1938)​

The Eternal Jew (1939)​

Jud Suss (1940)

Question 24

what is the most famous nazi rally and when was it

Answer 24

Nuemberg rallies – held annually between 1933 and 1938 on reich party day in spetemer

Question 25

organisation of the nuremberg rallies

Answer 25

carefully designed by Albert Speer (Hitler’s architect), employing spectacular effects such as searchlights, rousing music, choreographed marching, waving flags, and uniforms

Question 26

how was sports co-ordinated

Answer 26

Sport and sporting bodies were co-ordinated under a Reichssportsfuhrer​

The Hitler Youth and DAF (workers’ front) organised sporting activities, in particular gymnastics​

Question 27

example of propaganda (sport)

Answer 27

The holding of the Olympic Games was a propaganda coup and Hitler exploited the world attention it generated to promote Germany and the Nazi regime

Question 28

controll/use of art for propanagda

Answer 28

Hitler considered himself as something of an art expert​

However, his tastes were rather traditional and conservative​

Art was **controlled under the Reich Culture Chamber **and all working artists had to become members​

Licences were granted for teaching, exhibiting and working​

Hitler sought to make art more accessible and exhibitions were held in factories and many art works were depicted in postcards​

There was an Exhibition of Great German Art in 1937 in Munich shortly followed by an Exhibition of Degenerate Art​

The aim was to** show people the superiority of German Art​**

However, more people went to see the degenerate than the German art!

Question 29

control/use of literature for propanganda

Answer 29

Literature was expected to promote German values and Nazi ideas​

Suspect literature and books by authors considered subversive were burned in May 1933 at the Burning of Books ceremony in Berlin where 20,000 books were set on fire​

Many famous authors left Germany rather than face censorship or the banning of their books​

The best selling book of the Nazi era was Mein Kampf, selling over 6 million copies, having sold very few before Hitler came to power!!!​

Question 30

what do the sales if Mein Kampf tell us

Answer 30

that people supported hitler more out of fear then truly beliving the nazi ideology

Question 31

nazi control of music

Answer 31

Music thought to contain Jewish (works by Mendelssohn) or African American influences (Jazz) was banned​

Musicians had to be members of the Reich Chamber of Music ​

Question 32

why is it difficult to assess the effectiveness of propaganda?

Answer 32

Lots of things influence people’s attitudes ​

We do not know what people thought before they saw the propaganda and how the propaganda changed them​

Terror state -> people unlikely to speak openly about dissenting views​

Can only look at levels of conformity and obedience (which may or may not reflect real commitment to the ideology) and levels of opposition.​

Question 33

evaluatiob of effectivesnnes of propaganda

Answer 33

Historians had traditionally assumed that Nazi propaganda was very successful due to its strong clear messages, a high level of control and censorship; general conformity; low levels of opposition.​

But local studies have painted a different picture.​

It seems that propaganda played an important role in creating the Hitler myth and strengthening Germany after the crises of 1929-33, but was less successful in creating a Nazi culture, winning over the working classes or bringing about a Volksgemeinschaft mentality.​

Question 34

how did hitler come to power

Answer 34

the backstairs intrigue

Question 35

what is the backstairs intrigue

Answer 35

Papen sought revenge on Schleicher for persuading Hindenburg to dismiss him December 1932​

Papen secretly contacted the Nazis and met with Hitler on 4 January 1933.​

It was agreed that Hitler lead a Nazi-Nationalist coalition government with Papen as Vice-Chancellor​

Papen then persuaded major landowners, industry leaders and the army that Hitler was the best protection against communism and Schleicher’s machinations​

With their support, Papen was able to convince Hindenburg that he could form a government with majority backing in the Reichstag and that the Nationalists would control the Nazis in government​

Hindenburg’s son, Oskar, and his state secretary (adviser), Meissner were also key in changing Hindenburg’s opposition to appointing Hitler Chancellor​

Question 36

when was the nazi ‘legal revoloution’

Answer 36

january to march 1933

Question 37

what was the nazi ‘legal revolution’

Answer 37

Hitler had been put into power but with significant limitations​

Only two other Nazis in the Cabinet out of the 12 members – Wilhelm Frick (Minister of the Interior) and Herman Goring (Minister without Portfolio)​

The coalition government did not command the support of the majority of the Reichstag unless it gave significant concessions to the Zentrum Party​

Hindenburg did not really want to appoint Hitler and could sack him at any time – as he had done Papen and Schleicher​

However, Hitler did have advantages:​

Hitler was leader of the largest party in the Reichstag and so had a mandate to be the Chancellor. The alternative was Civil War or a Communist coup!​

Having Nazis in the government gave them access to the resources of the state, e.g., Goring was also Minister of the Interior of Prussia which gave him control of the police in the state which he used to harass the Nazi’s opponents​

Hitler was cleverer and more devious than his political opponents​

Question 38

what happened following Hitlers election as chancellor

Answer 38

Hitler called elections within 24 hours of being appointed – to give him a parliamentary majority without having to give concessions to other parties

Question 39

what happened at reichstag election (5th march 1933)

Answer 39

itler called elections within 24 hours of being appointed – to give him a parliamentary majority without having to give concessions to other parties​

The Nazis used violence and terror to break up the election meetings of Socialists, Communists and even Zentrum – 69 people were killed during the five week election campaign​

Propaganda was used very effectively – Hitler blamed Germany’s economic problems on the weakness of democratic government and the terrorist activities of the Communists and claimed the election was an opportunity for a national uprising to restore Germany’s pride and unity​

The Nazis had access to large amounts of funds to finance the campaign – at a meeting with 20 leading industrialists Hitler was promised 3 million marks​

Question 40

when was reichstag fire

Answer 40

27th feb 1933

Question 41

consequences of teh reichstag fire

Answer 41

Within a week of election day, the Reichstag was set on fire​

A young Dutch Communist called Marinus van der Lubbe was arrested for the crime but it is still not known if this was a lone wolf attack or a put-up job by the Nazis, as they had been claiming there was a danger of a communist revolt​

Whatever the truth, the Nazis exploited the situation to their advantage​

On 28 February, Frick as Minister of the Interior drew up** ‘Decree for the Protection of People and State’** and Hindenburg signed it under the Article 48 constitutional provisions​

It suspended constitutional civil rights and political freedoms and gave the police the power to hold people in protective custody indefinitely​

It prepared the way for a state of emergency​

The KPD was outlawed, allowing the arrest members of its members and the intimidation of other opposition parties​

It remained in force throughout the Third Reich, in effect becoming its basic law​

Question 42

oucome of the election following the reichstag fire

Answer 42

High turnout of 88% suggesting intimidation of voters​

The Nazis increased their share of the vote from 33 to 44 per cent but did not give them a majority of votes or seats in the Reichstag​

They still depended on the 52 seats won by the Nationalists​

It also prevented any change to the constitution as that required a two-thirds majority of the Reichstag ​

Hitler now began to plot his seizure of complete control over the government​

Question 43

when was the potsdam ceremony

Answer 43

21st march 1933

Question 44

what was the potsdam ceremony

Answer 44

Ceremony for the opening of the newly elected Reichstag​

This was a piece of political theatre to reassure the political establishment, especially Hindenburg, about the forthcoming Enabling Act​

Hitler symbolically aligned National Socialism with the forces of Old Germany ​

Question 45

when was the enabling act passed

Answer 45

24th march 1933

Question 46

how did hitler get the enabling act passed

Answer 46

he newly elected Reichstag met at the Kroll Opera House due to the Reichstag fire​

Communist deputies were either** in prison or not allowed into the building by the SA and SS** who were inside and surrounding the building​

Other party deputies were intimidated by the SA​

Hitler won the support of Zentrum party deputies by promising to protect the rights of the Catholic Church and to uphold religious and moral values​

The Social Democrats were the only party deputies to vote against ​

The Enabling Act was passed by 444 votes to 94​

Question 47

what did the enabling act allow

Answer 47

Also known as the ‘Law for terminating the suffering of the People and Nation’​

Gave emergency powers to the government for four years​

The government could pass decrees without the President’s approval or a vote of the Reichstag​

Passed under Article 76 of the Weimar Constitution, which required a two-thirds majority of the Reichstag to pass any constitutional changes​

Question 48

when was the enabling act renewed

Answer 48

1938

Question 49

consequences of the enabling act

Answer 49

Legally established the Nazi regime​

Gave Hitler complete control over the government and the Reichstag so that he could complete the process of the consolidation of power​

Became the virtual constitution of the Third Reich​

Question 50

co-ordination of german society and nazism

Answer 50

The synchronisation, infiltration or merging of German society and Nazism. ​

For example, party associations were created at both local and national level to control all aspects of life so the way people thought and behaved was in line with Nazi ideology.​

It was both a ‘revolution from above’ (dictated by Hitler and his close cronies) and a ‘revolution from below’ (carried out by SA and party members at the local level)​

The main focus of co-ordination in the first year of Nazi rule was the federal states, the opposition political parties and the trade unions​

Question 51

which opposition did hitler remove

Answer 51

Communists (KPD)​

Socialists (SPD)​

Z Party (Catholic Party)​

Other political parties​

Trade Unions (workers)​

State Assemblies (Länder)​

Rivals within his own party (SA leaders)​

The President​

Question 52

what was the nazi opionion of federal states

Answer 52

Point 25 of the 25 Points Programme called for ‘a strong central government’ to have ‘unconditional authority over the entire Reich’ which meant an end to the federal structure of Germany

Question 53

what measure were passed to dismantle regional gov

Answer 53

31 March 1933 law - to dissolve the regional parliaments (Landtage) and their reformation with majorities sympathetic to the Nazis​

7 April 1933 law – creation of Reich Governors (Reichstatthalter) who were usually the local Nazi party Gauleiter​

30 January 1934 Law for the Reconstruction of the State – abolition of the regional parliaments and the lander brought under the control of the Federal Minister of the Interior​

Question 54

which was teh first opposition party removed and when

Answer 54

The Communists were the first to be outlawed in the February 1933 decree after the Reichstag fire

Question 55

when was the SPD removed

Answer 55

The assets of the SPD were seized in May 1933 and then the party was banned on 22 June

Question 56

what happened to the rest of opposition (Politiocal parties)

Answer 56

Most of the remaining parties willingly agreed to dissolve themselves in late June 1933 (even the nationalists who had put the Nazis into power)​

Zentrum disbanded itself on 5 July 1933

Question 57

what law was passed in july 1933

Answer 57

Law against the Formation of New Parties passed​

Question 58

eval of opposition from political parties

Answer 58

most political parties put up feeble opposition to the Nazis, having failed to support previous more democratic governments that were trying to deal with the significant economic problems caused by the Great Depression​

Question 59

what threat did trade unions propose to hitler and why

Answer 59

The trade unions could have posed a significant threat to Hitler​

They had strong connections with other important groups is society – the SPD, KPD and the Catholic Church​

They had brought down the Kapp Putsch in 1920 by holding a general strike​

Question 60

what changed the level of threat presented by trade unions

Answer 60

However, by 1933 the trade unions were a spent force – their membership had been depleted due to mass unemployment

Question 61

what happened with trade unions with hitler

Answer 61

Union leaders thought they could work with Hitler – perhaps they believed the socialist policies of the 25 Points Programme!​

Hitler deceived the unions by declaring 1 May 1933 a national holiday (the international day of celebration for workers)​

The next day, union offices were raided by the SA and SS, their funds confiscated and their leaders sent to concentration camps such as Dachau​

Independent unions were then banned and a German Labour Front (Deutscher Arbeitsfront DAP) formed of 22 million workers​

Workers lost the right to negotiate wages and working conditions and instead it became an instrument of control​

​

Question 62

when was the night of the long knives

Answer 62

30th june 1934

Question 63

what was the night of the long knives

Answer 63

Hitler killed Rohm and killed leaders of teh SA

Question 64

Hitlers prob regarding the SA

Answer 64

Hitler had come to power through the cultivation of conservative forces and harnessing the thuggery of the SA​

But these groups had very different objectives​

Conservative groups wanted the preservation of their status and the maintenance of the status quo​

The SA and Rohm wanted what he called a ‘second revolution’ – social and economic reform and the creation of a People’s Army by merging the German army and the SA​

Hitler tried to reconcile these two groups in a speech to Reich Governors on 6 July 1933​

He warned of the dangers of a permanent state of revolution and demanded that ‘the stream of revolution must be guided into the safe channel of evolution’ ​

Question 65

Rohm dreams for the SA

Answer 65

returned from Bolivia in 1930 at Hitler’s request to reorganise the SA and restore discipline​

The SA played a key role in bringing Hitler to power and as one of Hitler’s oldest political friends Rohm expected that he and the SA would be rewarded​​

Rohm wanted the SA to be amalgamated with the army into a People’s Militia and that he would be commander of it​

The army despised the low class origins of the SA members and their ill-discipline​

It was suspicious of Hitler but needed to be kept on side as it had connections with powerful groups such as the Prussian Junkers (landowners) and the civil service ​

Hitler needed the discipline and the expertise of the army if he was to achieve his foreign policy aims so he assured the army that he would deal with the SA​

Question 66

how mnay members did the SA have by 1934

Answer 66

the SA numbered 2.5 million and were mainly unemployed working class young men

Question 67

what did rohm say about hitker in 1934

Answer 67

‘Adolf is a swine. He will give us all away. He only associates with reactionaries now…Getting matey with the East Prussian generals. They’re his cronies now…Adolf knows exactly what I want. I’ve told him often enough. Not a second edition of the old imperial army’​

Question 68

how did hitler try to deal with rohm before the night of long knives

Answer 68

Hitler was reluctant to have a showdown with his old associate​

He tried to win him over by making him a member of the Cabinet in December 1933​

In February 1934 Hitler called a meeting between the army, the SA and the SS to work out the role of each group in the Nazi state but they could not agree​

Question 69

impact of hidenburgs ill-health

Answer 69

Matters came to a head in April 1934 when it became obvious that Hindenburg did not have long to live​

Hitler hoped to succeed Hindenburg as President, without there being a contested election or the restoration of the monarchy as some in the army were calling for​

Question 70

what did hitler need to become president

Answer 70

Hitler needed the support of the army to become president

Question 71

what did the army want and how did HItler deal with this

Answer 71

The army demanded an end to talk of a ‘second revolution’ and a ‘People’s Militia’​

Hitler met with two leading generals – Blomberg and Fritsch – on the battleship Deutschland and promised to contain the SA and expand the Army and the Navy​

Question 72

what was the catalyst for the purge

Answer 72

The catalyst for the purge was Papen’s speech at Marburg University on 17 June 1934 –It called for an end to revolution and Nazi terror, restoration of decency and some political freedoms, especially freedom of the press​

Hitler tried to stop publication of the speech which led Papen to threaten to resign​

Hindenburg was concerned about the row and threatened to impose martial law​

Question 73

what did papen’s speech lead to

Answer 73

the night of long knives

Question 74

what happened in the night of the long knives

detailed asf

Answer 74

Hitler knew that if the army took over he would be finished – he had to win their loyalty by carrying out a purge of the SA​

Hitler used the cover of attending a wedding of a Nazi Gauleiter to travel south to meet Rohm was on holiday at Wiessee as they had prearranged but without raising suspicions about the real reason for the visit​

On June 30, Rohm and leading members of the SA were arrested and two days later shot by the SS.​

Rohm was offered a gun to commit suicide but he refused​

Schleicher and Strasser were murdered but Papen escaped​

In all, about 200 people were murdered in the Purge – SA leaders, former associates and those who knew too much and were considered unreliable​

Question 75

consequences of the night of long knives

Answer 75

July 1934 the Army took a public oath to Hitler​

‘I swear by God this sacred oath, that I will render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, the Fuhrer of the German Reich and people, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and will be ready as a brave soldier to risk my life at any time for this oath’​

The SA was maintained as a showpiece force but ceased to have any political influence​

The emergence of the SS as the Nazis elite institution of terror​

Hitler secured his own personal supremacy, becoming a personal dictator​

Question 76

when did hindenburg die

Answer 76

2 august 1934

Question 77

what did the death of hidenburg mean for the nazi’s

Answer 77

The death of Hindenburg did not cause a political crisis because Hitler had taken effective measures to prevent this​

Hitler effortlessly merged the offices of Chancellor and President by government decree​

From this point he became known as Fuhrer​

19 August 1934 plebiscite (referendum) to confirm the merging of the positions of Chancellor and President – 95% turnout, 90% Yes​

The Nazi regime had been stabilised and the threat of a ‘second revolution’ had been removed​

Question 78

how was hitler presented

Answer 78

Image of Hitler (Nazi propaganda) as a STRONG DICTATOR​

Undisputed, all-powerful leader​

One-party state; the office of President and Chancellor were combined ​

Head of the armed forces​

Impression of being a charismatic and dynamic leader​

Question 79

reality of hitler as a leader

Answer 79

He was actually quite lazy – watched films until 2.30am, then got up just before lunch​

Left others to do most of the work​

Very few documents seemed to be signed by him​

Only architecture and foreign policy really interested him​

Government was actually very confused​

Decisions based on informal conversations rather than a clear plan – Hitler’s lengthy monologues​

Question 80

what was the role of the nazi party in the third reich

Answer 80

After 1933, the Nazi Party was the only legal political party in Germany​

Many people joined the party because their job required it or they were ambitious for promotion​

By 1943, 10% of the population were members of the party​

This might lead you to think the Nazi Party was really powerful​

Look at the diagram of the Nazi state​

Nazi party organisations remained separate from state institutions​

Most of the traditional government ministries were led and staffed by Nazis but not all top officials were members of the party​

Real power lay with Hitler and those close to him – like in a personal monarchy. This is illustrated by looking at the key leaders of the Nazi Party (see Hite and Hinton, page 200)​

Also look at the diagrams of the Nazi Party organisation​

Question 81

what were the courts

machinary of terror

Answer 81

The Courts played a significant role in removing opponents to the regime under the guise of legality.​

Hitler kept the existing court system but ensured that judges and lawyers conformed to Nazi values, for example through party organisations such as the League of German Lawyers and the threat of dismissal.​

A new set of courts were created called the People’s Court to try cases against enemies of the state.​

Question 82

when was the emergancy power decree

used by the courts

Answer 82

feb 1933

Question 83

what was the emergency power decree and impact

used by the courts

Answer 83

could take suspects into protective custody without being put on trial​

Between 1933 and 1939 250,000 Germans were convicted and imprisoned for political crimes and 162,000 were in protective custody

Question 84

what was the SS

Answer 84

The SS was a party body, created in 1925 as Hitler’s bodyguard.​

Over time it became a mass organisation and its role evolved into being that of protecting the regime from its enemies.​

Himmler became head of it in 1929 and turned it into his power base​

Kershaw describes it as ‘the ideological power house of the Third Reich and the executive organ of the Fuhrer’s will’​

Question 85

what was the gestapo

Answer 85

The Gestapo was originally the Prussian secret police, created to root out enemies of the German state​

It came under the control of Himmler in 1936 when he was made Chief of the German Police​

Kershaw says, ‘The most powerful agency of repression thus merged with the most dynamic ideological force in the Nazi Movement’​

Question 86

gestapo membership in 1929, 1933, 1939 and 1944

Answer 86

1929- 280
1933 - 55,000
1939 - 240,000
1944 - over 1mil

Question 87

what happened within/to the SS following 1930’s

Answer 87

It became a virtual state within a state​

In the late 1930s, the SS took over responsibility for concentration and extermination camps​

It also formed Waffen-SS, an elite military force, that rivalled the Wehrmacht – for example repressing brutally the Warsaw Uprising​

It ran the Lebensborn programme and V weapon production

Question 88

extent of SS empire

Answer 88

Security – policing and intelligence in Germany and the occupied lands, removal of opposition​

Military – Waffen SS increased from 3 divisions in 1939 to 35 in 1945. It became so powerful that it rivalled the German Army​

Economy – responsible for the economies of the occupied lands. By 1945, it controlled over 150 businesses, exploiting slave labour to extract raw materials and to manufacture textiles, armaments and household goods.​

Ideology and race – Death’s Head Units ran the concentration camps which resettled and exterminated millions of people

Question 89

concentration camps

uses

Answer 89

Concentration camps were used to question, torture, re-educate and inflict hard labour on enemies of the state.​

These included trade union and political leaders, Communists, Socialists, Catholic and Protestant clergy, and undesirable groups such as gypsies and homosexuals​

Between 1933 and 1939 1.3 million Germans were sent to concentration camps​

However, there were only 6 camps before 1939​

Question 90

between 1933 - 1939 how many people were sent to concentration camps

Answer 90

1.3 million

Question 91

name 2 conc. camps and a death camp

Answer 91

1. Dachau
2. sachsenhausen
   Death camp - auschwitz

Question 92

how effective was the machinary of terror

Answer 92

Very effective at consolidating Hitler’s power – the removal of communist and socialist opposition significantly reduced opposition to the regime.​

Some effectiveness in eliminating enemies of the Volksgemeinschaft – asocials, gypsies, homosexuals, etc.​

Did not completely prevent opposition​

Effective, but not the only thing that kept Hitler in power.​

Question 93

effectiveness of the gestapo

Answer 93

The Gestapo was a name that struck fear into the hearts of Germans but it could not be a very effective instrument of terror​

At its peak there were** only 30,000 officers** for a population of less than 70 million people​

Most of them were desk officers relying on denunciations from ordinary citizens​

Most denunciations for committing race crimes (mainly being Jewish) came from the general public (57%)​

Only 0.5% came from observations by Gestapo agents​

Over time, the denunciations became a problem and Himmler threatened to send those making malicious accusations to the concentration camps!​

Question 94

german people view of ideology, machinary of terror

Answer 94

most Germans supported the regime​

many Germans did not encounter repression and believed that what repression did occur was justified​

thousands of Germans assisted the Gestapo and other repressive agents in their work​

repression was somewhat random; some people were actually moved out of Auschwitz; some were acquitted in the courts​

some people did protest and escape punishment​

Question 95

aims of nazi economic policy

Answer 95

1. RECOVERY​

• end to high unemployment = job creation​
• industrial production to increase​
• boost agricultural prices​

​

2. REARMAMENT​

• be ready for war in 4 years​

Question 96

methods to achieve economic aims

Answer 96

Public works and job creation​

Schacht’s New Plan 1934​

Goring’s Four Year Plan​

German Labour Front (DAF)​

Strength Through Joy

Question 97

public workd and job creation

helping economy

Answer 97

public investment, e.g., autobahns and public buildings​

Tax concessions for key industries to encourage production​

Law for the Reduction of Unemployment (took women out of the list by offering loans if they gave up their job)​

Voluntary Labour Service 1931 (removed young people from the labour market)​

Reich Labour Service (job creation plus it militarised the workforce)​

Conscription was reintroduced in 1935​

Generous public spending​

Question 98

successes of public works and job creation for econocmy

Answer 98

1 bn Reichsmarks invested​

Huge road-building programme, canals and houses​

40% increase in production of cars​

By 1938 there was virtually full employment​

Govt spending rose by 70% 1933-1936.

Question 99

failures of public works and job creation for econocmy

Answer 99

The figures are deceptive. The Reich Labour Service took young men (18-25) out of the list of unemployed – poorly paid, hard labour, poor conditions​

Voluntary Labour Service had already enrolled 300,000 men by 1932 under Bruning​

Increased balance of trade deficit (importing more raw materials; failing to increase its export market)​

Question 100

eval. of public works and job creation

Answer 100

The eradication of unemployment was undoubtedly important, and was one of Hitler’s promises.​

But it was only achieved because a quarter of the workforce was employed in rearmament.

Question 101

what was Schacht’s job

Answer 101

President of the Reichsbank 1933-1939 and Minister of Economics 1934-1937​

Question 102

what was schacht’s new plan

Answer 102

Aim to rectify the problems generated by the deficit financing policy including balance of trade deficit​

Guns or butter debate​

​

Question 103

when did schacht introduce his new plan

Answer 103

1934

Question 104

success of schacht’s new plan

Answer 104

Raised funds for rearmament​

Govt decided which imports were allowed. Priority was given to heavy industry​

Bi-lateral trade treaties were signed (eg SE Europe and S America) – German purchases were paid for in Reichsmarks which the countries then had to use to buy German goods​

Mefo bills (credit notes to pay manufacturers of military equipment)​

​

Question 105

failures of schacht’s new plan

Answer 105

Created a demand for imports - > balance of payments problem which was worsening by 1936​

‘Guns or butter’ debate - Schacht argued that arms expenditure should be reduced and the production of industrial goods increased so that there was more to sell​

Hitler would not face up to the problems caused by focusing on rearmament, and instead appointed Göring as Commissioner for Raw Materials and Currency​

Question 106

what was Goering’s 4year plan

Answer 106

Increase industrial production​

In 1938, after the Anschluss, took over Austrian companies​

After the Czech Crisis, took over the Skoda works in the Sudentenland​

Increase agricultural production​

Produce synthetic goods to reduce reliance on imports e.g. ersatz rubber, coffee, oil​

Increase armaments production in preparation for war ​

Achieve autarky (food and industrial goods)​

The aim seemed to be to move towards a Total War economy (for a large-scale not a localised war)​

​

Question 107

successes of goering’s 4yr plan

Answer 107

Industrial production rose at a considerable rate in some industries, e.g., aluminium​

Certain companies did very well – Daimler-Benz, I G Farben, Krupps…. ​

Arguably the economy was ready to fight a short blitzkrieg war

Question 108

failures of goering’s 4yr plan

Answer 108

Production bottlenecks, competition for scarce resources, labour shortages, lack of foreign exchange to pay for imports, a growing danger of inflation ​

Most targets were not met, especially on oil and rubber​

Not self-sufficient in vegetables, eggs, meat or fat​

By 1939, when the war broke out, Germany still relied on foreign supplies for 1/3 of its raw materials ​

NOT ready for a total war​

Question 109

eval of 4yr plan

Answer 109

Mason argues that the economy was expanding too quickly. Large-scale rearmament had created a number of problems:​

Growing shortages in many areas – food, consumer goods and raw materials.​

Balance of trade was bad; difficult to finance​

Labour shortages – especially among skilled workers pushed up wages​

Expenditure and the deficit had grown and the government was finding it difficult to finance the debt​

Mason argues that the discontent of the workers pushed Hitler into war as a way out of the economic crisis​

The Nazis failed to prepare for the war they found themselves in 1939 (had planned to be ready in 1943)​

​

Question 110

Impact of German labour front

Answer 110

ndependent Trade Unions were replaced by the DAF which was under Nazi control and mandatory for workers​

DAF arranged wages (usually poor) and dealt harshly with unrest​

The aim was to end the demands of the workers and strip them of their rights, as part of a wider set of measures to remove all opposition to the regime​

Historically workers had supported the Socialist and Communist parties​

Question 111

who were the DAF

Answer 111

the german labour front

Question 112

success of DAF

Answer 112

‘Good ventilation’ and ‘hot meals’ campaigns

Question 113

failures of DAF

Answer 113

Wages only rose above 1929 levels in 1938​

Take-home pay actually deteriorated as workers had to pay large contributions to the DAF and for insurance​

Working hours increased from 43 to 47 per week by 1939​

Pressure to do overtime and military tasks​

Question 114

what was strength through joy

Answer 114

A state welfare organisation to improve conditions, raise morale and to win the support of the workers​

Workers gained sports facilities, cultural visits, and subsidised holidays​

Could start paying towards the ‘People’s Car’ (the Volkswagen) but no cars were actually delivered​

Question 115

nazi overall aims for germnay

Answer 115

To make Germany strong enough to fight a war​

(economic and social policies)​

​

To create a Volksgemeinschaft (a strong, ‘racially pure’, united Aryan national community)​

(social and religious policies)​

​

To eliminate opposition/process of Gleichschaltung​

(religious, social and economic policies)​

Question 116

nazi religious aims

Answer 116

To eliminate opposition​

To make the church undergo a process of Gleichschaltung​

Thus eliminate religious groups as a threat, and enlist their help in creating a Volksgemeinschaft

Question 117

nazi view of religion

Answer 117

Nazi ideology was in complete opposition to Christian ideals​

Violence, war, strength, and survival of the fittest versus love, compassion, and protecting the weak in society​

Christianity and the church therefore presented a problem for the regime, especially as Jesus was Jewish rather than Aryan (went against the ideology of the Volksgemeinschaft)​

Many Germans had strong Christian beliefs. After all, this was the home of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation in C16​

Churches are powerful institutions and could be focuses for opposition (have leaders, meeting places, meeting times, good speakers, a passionate belief…..)​

Question 118

relations of nazi’s and protestants

Answer 118

On the whole, Protestants were willing to cooperate with the regime because of its family values​

Many pastors spoke in favour of the Nazi Party and encouraged people to vote for it. Communism was seen as greater threat to Protestants in 1933 because Marx argued that argued that religion is the opiate of the masses ​

However, Protestantism was not one single organised religion. There were many variations with different structures and doctrines, e.g. Lutheran, Anabaptists, Zwinglians etc.​

Hitler’s priority was to coordinate these different churches and try to control them ​

1933 a united Reich Church was established under Ludwig Müller, a fanatical Nazi. Members were known as ‘German Christians’ and adopted Nazi-style uniforms, salutes and marches. Müller was appointed the first Reich bishop ‘The swastika on our breasts and the cross in our hearts.’​

Nazi policies after 1933, especially euthanasia, resulted in the alienation of many Protestants​

In 1934 two Protestant bishops were arrested for opposing the Reich Church​ [ Bonhoeffer and Niemoller]

This led to the **establishment of the Confessing Church **– independent of the state – under the leadership of Martin Niemoller which attracted the support of **7000 out of 17,000 pastors​
**
Judgement: ineffectiveness of Nazi policies when deeply held religious traditional beliefs were threatened​

​

Question 119

relation of nazi’s with catholics

Answer 119

Potentially a more formidable opposition group than the Protestants, as an global organisation with a famous and historically important leader, the Pope.​

Hitler did not want a prolonged conflict with the Catholic Church, and the Church was concerned to preserve its independence​

This resulted in the Catholic Church signing the Concordat with Nazi Germany in July 1933 under Pope Pius XI​

In return for the Church keeping out of politics, the Nazis agreed not to interfere with the legal and property rights of the church​

This appeared to guarantee religious freedom: the church would run itself and appoint its own ministers, and parents were able to request Catholic schools for their children​

​

Question 120

religios opposition to nazi’s

Answer 120

Pope Pius XI wrote a public letter, ‘With Burning Grief’, in 1937, which was an outspoken attack on Nazi beliefs and methods​

Bishop Galen (Catholic bishop of Munster) openly criticised the regimes’ euthanasia policy 1941. This caused the policy to be suspended, and when it was restarted it was done in secret.​

The founding of the Confessing Church by Niemoller. He was arrested and put in Sachsenhausen concentration camp​

Dietrich Bonhoeffer – an academic and a pastor – joined the Confessing Church, preached against the regime, taught trainee pastors to oppose the regime, became involved in political opposition (Kreisau Circle), helped Jews to emigrate, and worked with the resistance movement until he was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943. He was murdered in Flossenburg Concentration Camp in April 1945​

In 1998 the Vatican officially apologised for not opposing the anti-Semitic policies​

Question 121

what was the german faith movement

Answer 121

The Nazi regime also attempted to establish an alternative to Christianity, the German Faith Movement. ​

It was non-Christian and based on the beliefs of Germans in ancient history​

a belief in the superiority of the Germanic races and opposition to the Jews​

the replacement of Christian ceremonies, such as marriage, with pagan versions as Jesus was a Jew​

a rejection of Christian ethics of mercy and forgiveness​

a belief in the cult of Hitler’s personality. ​

This was an even greater failure - only 5% of Germans joined it​

Question 122

relighion during the war

Answer 122

Only after military victories was the regime confident enough to persecute the churches:​

monasteries were closed​

church property was attacked​

church activities restricted

Question 123

eval. of nazi religious aims

Answer 123

The regime was very aware of the strength of religious beliefs in Germany and the danger of provoking unrest​

In 1942 churches played an important role in supporting the population after bombing raids – regime could not afford to alienate them​

The churches were prepared to compromise in order to survive (and indeed had some sympathy for attitudes towards the family and its opposition to communism.​

The regime could not completely repress the church and was unable to destroy loyalty to the churches​

​

Question 125

What are the 3K’s regarding women

Answer 125

kinder
kirche
küche

Question 126

overall evaluation of nazi policies towards women

Answer 126

Nazi policies towards women were contradictory​

Promoted marriage and the family but young people were encouraged to have loyalty to the state rather than the family​

The desire for a genetically pure race led to the encouragement of divorce and sterilisation​

The Lebensborn programme encouraged procreation outside of marriage​

Female employment increased but there was still a labour shortage, especially in the armaments industry, but Hitler refused to allow female conscription even though this would have increased production​

We don’t know how far women embraced Nazi ideas about women’s role in society​

German society was already conservative ​

Many of the policies were ineffective​

For example the birth rate went down, which suggests that people did not accept Nazi ideas

Question 127

nazi aims regarding women

6

Answer 127

1. increase pure german birth rates
2. increase suitable marriages
3. develop healthy germans
4. prepare women for their proper role + restrict opportunities
5. reduce female employmnet
6. organise women and incorporate them in the nazi volksgemeinschaft

Question 128

measures for nazi aim of increasing pure german births

women

Answer 128

1. financial incentives - marriage loans and birth grants
2. improved maternity servies
3. propaganda to raise status +self esteem of mothers and housewives
4. awards:: mother’s cross
   5.* penalties:*
   * higher taxes on childless couples
   * tighter penalties on abortion
   * restrictions on contraception infomation
   * measures introduced for compulsory sterilisation of ‘undesirables’

Question 129

measures for nazi aim of increasing suitable marriages

women

Answer 129

1. 1933, 600RM marriage loan if unemployed
2. 1937, loan extended to women in work
3. 1935, marriage law required certificatate of ‘fitness to marry’ before marruage licesne is issued
4. Oct 1955, blood protection law: marriage to jews, black people are gypsies is forbidden
5. 1938, marriage law extended the grounds for divorce

Question 130

measures for nazi aim of developing healthhy germans

women

Answer 130

• the national socialist welfare organisation [NSV] set up
• vast expansion of health offices, especially in rural areas; improved saniatation, preventative medicine, genetic and racial care

Question 131

measures for nazi aim of preparing women for their proper role+restrict oppurtunities

Answer 131

limited uni enrolement of women to 10%

Question 132

measures for nazi aim of reducing female employment

Answer 132

• 1933, women in top civil service and medical jobs dismissed
• 1936, banned from being judges, lawyers

Question 133

measures for nazi aim of organising women and incorporating them in the nazi volksgemeinschaft

Answer 133

• no female nazi members of reichstag were permitted
• two womens organisation’s created: NSF and DFW

Question 134

nazi aims for young people

5

Answer 134

1. Indoctrination​
2. Physical fitness – strengthening the German nation, preparation for war​
3. Obedience​
4. Sacrifice self for the national good​
5. Idolise the Fuhrer

Question 135

nazi educational aims for young people

Answer 135

Anti-intellectualism​

Anti-Semitism​

Indifference to the weak​

Nationalism​

Militarism​

Obedience and discipline​

Hitler worship

Question 136

approahces to achieving these educational aims

Answer 136

Reich Ministry of Education, Culture and Science​

Controls on teachers and head teachers – **teachers were pressurised into joining the Nationalist Socialist Teacher’s League **and to attend one-month long training courses on Nazi ideology and physical education​

Local Nazi parties monitored the Nazism of teachers and could dismiss them if they were insufficiently committed​

Official manual for teachers ‘Education and Instruction’ told teachers ‘The chief purpose of the school is to train human beings to realise that the State is more important than the individual, that individuals must be willing and ready to sacrifice themselves for Nation and Fuhrer’​

Curriculum – more focus on physical exercise. By 1936 it took up to two hours a day of school timetables.​

Nazi ideas formed an important part of the study of biology and history and religion was removed. ​

From 1933, all textbooks had to be government approved and reflect Nazi values​

Question 137

school structures under the nazi’s

Answer 137

Mostly kept the existing system in tact but with some changes ​

Move to single sex schools to teach gender appropriate subjects​

Girls: needlework, music, languages and home crafts​

Boys: Latin, sciences, physical education​

Abolition of denominational schools (Protestant and Catholic) by 1939​

1933 National Political Institutes of Education created for boys aged 10-18 to train future leaders​

Taken over by the SS in 1936 – 21 in 1938, 39 by 1943​

Military style training – physical education, manual labour and political education

Adolf Hitler Schools – created by the Hitler Youth and DAF and partly intended to rival the SS schools​

Only 11 created​

Free boarding schools for 12-18 year olds, candidates chosen due to Aryan looks and leadership potential​

Military style training as in the SS schools​

Notably Nazi leaders did not send their own children to these schools!​

Castles of Orders (Ordensburgen) – 3 schools housed in vast castles of 1000 students aged 25-30 partly modelled medieval chivalric orders to complete the training of future political leaders

Question 138

when was the Abolition of denominational schools

Answer 138

by 1939

Question 139

when was teh National Political Institutes of Education

Answer 139

1933

Question 140

what was the National Political Institutes of Education

Answer 140

created for boys aged 10-18 to train future leaders​

Question 141

reduction in number of uni students

1933, 1939

Answer 141

1933 113,000
1939 57,000

Question 142

uni education

Answer 142

Large reduction in the number of university students​

1933 113,000, 1939 57,000​

Numbers increased during the war **to 82,000 by 1944 **because of the increase in the number of female students and the **need for specialist training​
**
University lecturers had to conform to Nazi values.​

In November 1933 they had to sign an oath to Hitler and join the Nazi Lecturer’s League​

New appointees had to attend a 6 week ideological and physical training camp​

1,200 were lecturers were dismissed (10%)​

About a third of the 1,200 for being Jewish and over 50% for political reasons​

Students had to join the** German Students’ League** but 25% avoided it​

There was compulsory fitness and ideological training and the curriculum reflected Nazi values on race and anti-intellectualism

Question 143

developmemt of hitler youth

Answer 143

The forerunner of the Hitler Youth was created in 1926 – the German equivalent of the Scouts​

The Nazis adapted the organisation and other youth organisations to its purposes when they came to power in 1933​

All other non-Nazi youth organisations banned after 1936​

Membership became compulsory in 1939​

Purpose to indoctrinate young people into becoming good Nazis​

Done through camps, sport and military training​

Members had to wear uniforms​

Youth organisations started off offering fun activities but over time focused more on military activities

Question 144

membership of hitler youtj

1932, 1934 and 1936

Answer 144

1932 - 107,956
1934 - 3,500,000
1936 - 6,000,000

Question 145

successfullness of youth policy

Answer 145

The Nazis sought to indoctrinate the young from the age of four, using youth organisations and education​

The Nazis undermined intellectual learning and promoted physical fitness​

Millions joined the Hitler Youth – 6 million by 1936​

However membership was compulsory​

Large numbers joined the Hitler Youth but increased membership meant more uncommitted members​

Many people avoided membership, especially after they left school as many did after 14​

**30% **of teachers willingly joined the National Socialist Teachers’ League​

97% of teachers had joined by 1937​

25% of students did not join the German Students’ League​

There was opposition from groups like the Edelweiss Pirates and Swing groups but this was more prominent during the 1940s (so will be dealt with later)​

Question 146

aim of racial policies

Answer 146

To create a ‘racially pure’ state​

= the exclusion of certain groups

Question 147

pop. of jews in germany

1933, 1939

Answer 147

1933 – 500,000 Jews
1939 – 210,000 Jews

Question 149

when were the nuremberg laws

Answer 149

1935

Question 150

when was kritallnacht

Answer 150

1938