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

Question

organisation of the nuremberg rallies

Answer 1

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

Answer 2

Sport and sporting bodies were co-ordinated under a **Reichssportsfuhrer** The Hitler Youth and DAF (workers’ front) organised sporting activities, in particular gymnastics

Answer 3

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

Answer 4

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!

Answer 5

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!!!

Answer 6

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

Answer 7

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

Answer 8

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.

Answer 9

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.

Answer 10

the backstairs intrigue

Answer 11

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

Answer 12

january to march 1933

Answer 13

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

Answer 14

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

Answer 15

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

Answer 16

27th feb 1933

Answer 17

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

Answer 18

High turnout of 88% suggesting intimidation of voters The Nazis increased their share of the vote from 33 to 44% 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

Answer 19

21st march 1933

Answer 20

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

Answer 21

24th march 1933

Answer 22

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**

Answer 23

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

Answer 24

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

Answer 25

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

Answer 26

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

Answer 27

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

Answer 28

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

Answer 29

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

Answer 30

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

Answer 31

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

Answer 32

Law against the Formation of New Parties passed

Answer 33

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

Answer 34

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

Answer 35

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

Answer 36

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

Answer 37

30th june 1934

Answer 38

Hitler killed Rohm and killed leaders of teh SA

Answer 39

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’

Answer 40

Hitler’s request to reorganise the SA and restore discipline 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 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

Answer 41

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

Answer 42

‘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’

Answer 43

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

Answer 44

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

Answer 45

Hitler needed the support of the army to become president

Answer 46

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

Answer 47

**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

Answer 48

the night of long knives

Answer 49

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

Answer 50

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

Answer 51

2 august 1934

Answer 52

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

Answer 53

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

Answer 54

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

Answer 55

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

Answer 56

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.

Answer 57

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

Answer 58

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’

Answer 59

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’

Answer 60

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

Answer 61

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

Answer 62

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 – By 1945, it controlled over 150 businesses, exploiting slave labour to extract raw materials and to manufacture goods. Ideology and race – Death’s Head Units ran the concentration camps which resettled and exterminated millions of people

Answer 63

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**

Answer 64

1.3 million

Answer 65

1. Dachau 2. sachsenhausen Death camp - auschwitz

Answer 66

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.

Answer 67

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!

Answer 68

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

Answer 69

1. RECOVERY * end to high unemployment = job creation * industrial production to increase * boost agricultural prices 2. REARMAMENT * be ready for war in 4 years

Answer 70

Public works and job creation Schacht’s New Plan 1934 Goring’s Four Year Plan German Labour Front (DAF) Strength Through Joy

Answer 71

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

Answer 72

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.

Answer 73

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)

Answer 74

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.

Answer 75

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

Answer 76

Aim to rectify the problems generated by the deficit financing policy including balance of trade deficit Guns or butter debate

Answer 77

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)

Answer 78

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

Answer 79

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)

Answer 80

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

Answer 81

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

Answer 82

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 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)

Answer 83

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

Answer 84

the german labour front

Answer 85

‘Good ventilation’ and ‘hot meals’ campaigns

Answer 86

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

Answer 87

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

Answer 88

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)

Answer 89

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

Answer 90

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…..)

Answer 91

**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

Answer 92

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

Answer 93

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

Answer 94

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

Answer 95

Only after military victories was the regime confident enough to persecute the churches: monasteries were closed church property was attacked church activities restricted

Answer 96

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

Answer 97

kinder kirche küche

Answer 98

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

Answer 99

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

Answer 100

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'

Answer 101

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

Answer 102

* 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

Answer 103

limited uni enrolement of women to 10%

Answer 104

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

Answer 105

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

Answer 106

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

Answer 107

Anti-intellectualism Anti-Semitism Indifference to the weak Nationalism Militarism Obedience and discipline Hitler worship

Answer 108

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**’ Curricul**um –** 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

Answer 109

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

Answer 110

created for boys aged 10-18 to train future leaders

Answer 111

**1933** 113,000 **1939** 57,000

Answer 112

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

Answer 113

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

Answer 114

1932 - 108,000 1934 - 3,500,000 1936 - 6,000,000

Answer 115

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)

Answer 116

To create a ‘racially pure’ state = the exclusion of certain groups

Answer 117

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

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

(151 cards)