third reich Flashcards
(155 cards)
1
Q
What was the role of Hitler in March 1933?
A
Hitler became chancellor in March 1933.
2
Q
What is coordination
A
Gleichschaltung (Coordination) was the process by which Hitler concentrated all local, state, and federal institutions under his control.
3
Q
What were the goals of coordination
A
The goals were to promote National-Socialist views and policies, reduce opposition, and give Nazis control over all aspects of society.
4
Q
What types of organizations were affected by coordination
A
Not just national organizations, but also local social clubs like choirs, sports clubs, and youth groups were affected.
5
Q
What was the Law for Restoration of the Professional Public Service?
A
Passed in April 1933, it forced non-Aryan civil servants, particularly Jews, and members of the KPD/SD to retire.
6
Q
Which professions were impacted by the Law for Restoration of the Professional Public Service?
A
The law applied to teachers, professors, judges, and was later extended to lawyers, doctors, tax consultants, and musicians.
7
Q
What percentage of civil servants were dismissed under the Law for Restoration?
A
4.5% of senior civil servants and 1-2% of all civil servants were dismissed.
8
Q
What happened in May 1933 regarding trade unions?
A
Trade unions were dissolved and strikes were banned to break the power of the SD and reduce their ability to resist the Nazis.
9
Q
What replaced the trade unions after their dissolution?
A
The German Labour Front (DAF), controlled by Nazis, replaced the trade unions.
10
Q
What did Robert Ley state about the DAF?
A
He stated that it aimed to restore absolute leadership to the natural leader of a factory, which is the employer.
11
Q
What was the Law Against the Founding of New Parties?
A
Passed in July 1933, it banned all political parties except for the Nazis and merged the Nationalist party with the Nazis.
12
Q
What happened to the Centre Party in July 1933?
A
The Centre Party disbanded in return for not interfering in Catholic schools and youth movements.
13
Q
What was the Law Concerning the Reconstruction of the Reich?
A
Passed in January 1934, it established the Nazis as the only center of power and abolished state governments.
14
Q
What changes occurred in state governance after the Law Concerning the Reconstruction of the Reich?
A
State governments were abolished, and provinces were ruled by a Reichsstatthalter (Reich Governor).
15
Q
What was the overall impact of the Nazi policies on civil service and trade unions?
A
They remade the civil service, destroyed trade unions, and removed any power that could oppose the Nazis.
16
Q
What did Evans argue about the coordination of the Nazis?
A
Evans argued that on the surface, it looked like the Nazis were coordinating various aspects of society.
17
Q
What was the status of the Nazi regime by April 1934?
A
Hitler and the Nazis had total control of the state and its institutions.
18
Q
What external groups were eliminated by the Nazis?
A
All external centers of possible opposition had been eliminated.
19
Q
Which groups were coopted into supporting the Nazi regime?
A
Industrialists, army, and civil service were coopted into supporting the regime.
20
Q
What was the size of the SA by 1934?
A
The SA had 4.5 million men, larger than the German army.
21
Q
What challenges did Hitler face from the SA?
A
The SA was difficult to control due to its size and tendency towards action/violence.
22
Q
What were ‘Beefsteak’ Nazis?
A
‘Beefsteak’ Nazis were those who appeared Nazi on the outside but were Communist on the inside.
23
Q
What did the SA want in 1934?
A
The SA wanted a second revolution to overthrow ‘reactionary’ sections of German society.
24
Q
Who was Ernst Röhm?
A
Ernst Röhm was the leader of the SA and one of the earliest members of the Nazi Party.
25
What was Röhm's ambition regarding the SA and the army?
Röhm wanted to combine the SA with the army and become the leader of the German armed forces.
26
Why was the army a potential opposition to the Nazis?
The army swore an oath to President Hindenburg, which posed a potential opposition to the Nazis.
27
What was Hitler's plan regarding Röhm and the SA by the end of May?
Hitler was planning to remove Röhm and the threat of the SA.
28
What event marked the beginning of Hitler's consolidation of power?
The Night of the Long Knives.
29
What happened to Hindenburg's health before his death?
Hindenburg's health was deteriorating.
30
What did Hitler learn during his visit to Hindenburg on August 1?
Hitler was told that Hindenburg only had 24 hours to live.
31
How did Hindenburg refer to Hitler?
Hindenburg referred to Hitler as 'Your Majesty', believing he was talking to the Kaiser.
32
What occurred on August 2, 1934?
Hindenburg died, leading to the abolition of the title of president.
33
What new title did Hitler adopt after Hindenburg's death?
Hitler adopted the title 'Fuhrer', which combined the powers of Chancellor and President.
34
What justified Hitler's consolidation of power?
The Reichstag Fire decree and the Enabling Act.
35
What actions did Hitler take to eliminate checks on his power?
He disbanded state governments, the Reichstag, and destroyed the SA.
36
To whom did the Army swear allegiance after Hitler's rise?
The Army swore allegiance to Hitler personally rather than to the Constitution or state.
37
What was the oath sworn by the Armed Forces?
The oath included a pledge of unconditional obedience to Hitler and readiness to risk life for this oath.
38
When was the constitutional change legitimized?
It was agreed to by a nationwide plebiscite held on August 19, 1934.
39
What were the results of the plebiscite?
89.93% voted in favor, 10.07% voted against; turnout was 95%.
40
How did the plebiscite affect Hitler's actions?
Although elections were not fair, it acted as a way of legitimizing Hitler's actions.
41
What did Nazi propaganda create around Hitler?
A personality cult around the Fuhrer.
42
How was Hitler portrayed in Nazi propaganda?
As a leader chosen by fate who prioritized the nation over personal interests.
43
What did Hitler claim about his power?
He claimed his power derived from the people of Germany, making all actions appear legal.
44
What did Hitler attribute Germany's problems to?
Enemies (like Jews) or mistakes of subordinates.
45
What sense did Hitler's regime provide to the Germans?
A sense of stability and comfort.
46
What contributed to the recovery of the German economy?
Hitler's image and increased support for the regime.
47
What was the dual legal system in the Third Reich?
The Third Reich operated on a dual legal system based on both constitutional processes and arbitrary use of power.
48
How were 'normal' criminals treated in the Third Reich?
'Normal' criminals, such as thieves, were tried based on the same laws and processes as during the Weimar Republic.
49
How were political opponents treated in the Third Reich?
Political opponents were detained, tried, and sentenced outside of the normal operation of the law.
50
What legitimized the harsh treatment of political opponents?
The harsh treatment was legitimized by the Reichstag Fire Decree and Hitler's personal authority as Fuhrer.
51
What happened to sentencing during the Third Reich?
Sentencing became harsher, with judges more likely to impose death sentences or longer jail terms.
52
What offences increased to carry the death penalty?
Offences such as kidnapping, looting, and publishing foreign broadcasts were added to those carrying the death penalty.
53
How many death warrants were issued from 1933 to 1945?
Approximately 40,000 death warrants were issued, resulting in 32,000 executions.
54
What was the impact of martial law on death sentences?
The number of death sentences increased dramatically during the war and the imposition of martial law.
55
What changes occurred in penal codes during the Third Reich?
Penal codes were updated to increase terms of imprisonment, often to life terms.
56
What was the prison regime like during the Third Reich?
The prison regime became more severe, with corporal punishment and solitary confinement becoming more common.
57
What were the 'People's Courts' established for?
The 'People's Courts' were established to try cases of treason and other so-called 'political' crimes.
58
What rights did defendants have in the People's Courts?
Defendants had no presumption of innocence and no access to legal counsel.
59
How long could trials in the People's Courts take?
Trials could take as little as 15 minutes, and sentences could not be appealed.
60
How many convictions occurred from 1934 to 1945?
From 1934 to 1945, there were 10,980 convictions leading to imprisonment.
61
What was 'protective custody' in the Third Reich?
'Protective custody' allowed police to arrest people suspected of hostile activities without documentation or warrants.
62
What was the outcome of protective custody?
Protective custody often led to indefinite internment in concentration camps.
63
How many prisoners were in concentration camps from 1934 to 1939?
From 1934 to 1939, there were 200,000 prisoners in concentration camps, with at least 50% arrested.
64
What happened to those found not guilty by the People's Courts?
Two-thirds of those found not guilty were still put into protective custody.
65
What happened to political prisoners after serving their sentences?
Political prisoners who served their sentences were often rearrested upon release.
66
What is the Gestapo?
The Gestapo (Geheime Staatspolizei 'Secret State Police') was the primary institution of repression within Germany.
67
Who ran the Gestapo?
The Gestapo was run by Heinrich Himmler, the head of the SS, and was responsible only to Hitler.
68
What was the main responsibility of the Gestapo?
The Gestapo was responsible for the internal security of the Reich and investigated/suppressed all anti-state activities.
69
What percentage of Gestapo cases began with denunciation?
60-90% of Gestapo cases began with denunciation.
70
Who were the informers for the Gestapo?
The Gestapo had a sophisticated network of informers, including post and railway officials, block wardens, and Hitler Youth.
71
What atmosphere did the Gestapo create in society?
The Gestapo created an atmosphere of intimidation and fear, even in personal spaces.
72
How did Nazi propaganda affect the Gestapo's power?
The power of the Gestapo was amplified by Nazi propaganda, which contributed to its reputation for ruthlessness and efficiency.
73
How many Gestapo agents were there compared to the population?
There were about 15,000 Gestapo agents out of a population of 69 million.
74
What was the typical role of most Gestapo agents?
Most Gestapo agents worked as administrators rather than as interrogators or investigators.
75
What was the impact of fear of denunciations on the German population?
Fear of denunciations and constant surveillance led the majority of Germans to comply with the Nazis, at least outwardly.
76
What actions were required to display loyalty to the regime?
Germans were required to periodically display loyalty through actions like the 'German Greeting'.
77
How did the Nazis monitor the population?
The Nazis coordinated constant monitoring of the population, even during social activities.
78
What was the role of the organized police structure under the Nazis?
The organized police structure was used to discourage dissent and eradicate enemies of the Nazis.
79
What happened to political prisoners under the Nazi regime?
Trials of political prisoners and imprisonment in concentration camps were reported in newspapers.
80
What effect did the fear of the Gestapo have on personal expression?
The fear of denunciation and arrest by the Gestapo led to self-censorship among the population.
81
What was Heinrich Himmler's role in the police forces?
Heinrich Himmler was responsible for all police forces in Germany from 1936.
82
What is the Volksgemeinschaft?
The idea of a 'racial community' central to Nazi ideology aimed at creating a harmonious and united community of racially pure Germans.
83
What ideologies influenced the Volksgemeinschaft?
It is based on eugenics and social Darwinism to increase the number and health of racially pure Germans.
84
What does 'Blood and Soil' (Blut und Boden) refer to?
A concept linking 'racially pure' Aryan people (blood) to rural and agricultural life (soil), developed by Nazi theorist Richard Walther Darré.
85
What was the response to the socialist idea of class struggle?
The Volksgemeinschaft was a response that divided society into 'Racial/National Comrades' and 'Community Aliens'.
86
Who were considered 'Racial/National Comrades'?
'Racial/National Comrades' (Volksgenossen) were full members of the Volksgemeinschaft, allowed to benefit from it.
87
Who were classified as 'Community Aliens'?
'Community Aliens' (Gemeinschaftsfremde) were people undermining the Volksgemeinschaft, such as Jews, the mentally/physically disabled, habitual criminals, and LGBTI individuals.
88
What were the consequences for 'Community Aliens'?
They were excluded from the Volksgemeinschaft and unable to benefit from welfare payments, government programs, and social life.
89
What was the stance on sexual relations between Aryans and non-Germanic people?
Such relations would lead to expulsion from the Volksgemeinschaft.
90
How did social classes function within the Volksgemeinschaft?
Social classes based on talent, property, or profession would exist, but a common racial consciousness would inspire cooperation for the benefit of all Germans.
91
What was the community's role regarding less fortunate members?
The community would look after less fortunate members and provide a good standard of living.
92
What measures were taken to abolish class distinctions?
Distinctions in address, clothing, and titles were abolished, including the use of uniforms for officials and a German greeting.
93
What were the traditional views of gender in the Third Reich?
Hitler and the Nazis held very traditional and patriarchal views about gender.
94
How did Nazi propaganda define 'masculine' characteristics?
Nazi propaganda equated 'masculine' characteristics with Germany, emphasizing strength, aggression, and ruthlessness.
95
What was the primary role of women according to Nazi ideology?
The primary role of women was to give birth and raise children to strengthen the Volksgemeinschaft.
96
What was the Law for The Encouragement of Marriage introduced in 1933?
Newly married couples received a government loan of 1,000 marks, with 800,000 newlyweds taking up the offer.
97
What were the loan reductions for having children under the 1933 marriage law?
Birth of a child reduced the loan by 25%, two children by 50%, and four children cleared the loan.
98
What was the Motherhood Cross?
The Motherhood Cross was awarded to women with many children: Gold for 8, Silver for 6, and Bronze for 4 children.
99
What was the trend in female workers in industry from 1933 to 1939?
The number of female workers in industry declined from 29% to 25%.
100
What percentage of female high school graduates could attend university?
The number of female high school graduates who could go to university was limited to 10% of the number of males.
101
What skills were emphasized in girls' education during the Nazi regime?
Classes for girls emphasized domestic skills to prepare them to be good wives and mothers.
102
What restrictions were placed on contraception and abortions?
New restrictions were placed on contraception and abortions, with Nazi propaganda labeling abortion as a 'crime against the body and the state.'
103
What was the trend in approved abortions from 1932 to 1935-1940?
In 1932, there were 34,698 approved abortions; this number dropped to 9,701 approvals from 1935 to 1940.
104
Under what circumstances was abortion legal and encouraged?
Abortion was legal and encouraged if the child was disabled or the mother was non-Aryan.
105
What did the court rule in November 1938 regarding abortion?
The court ruled that abortion should be legal and freely available for all Jewish women.
106
What was the Lebensborn program introduced in 1935?
The Lebensborn program encouraged women to give up babies for adoption, with houses set up across Germany for secret births.
107
How many children were fostered out to SS families from Lebensborn houses?
8,000 children in Lebensborn houses were fostered out to SS families.
108
How did the Nazis view the LGBTQI community?
The LGBTQI community, particularly gay men, was attacked by Nazis and seen as 'degenerate' and 'hereditarily ill.'
109
What actions did the Nazis take against LGBTQI groups in 1933?
In 1933, the Nazis created 'Pink Lists' to ban all LGBTQ groups and clubs.
110
What were the consequences for LGBTQI people under Nazi rule?
LGBTQI people were stripped of civil rights, with 53,400 convicted and imprisoned, leading to torture and the death of thousands.
111
What happened to homosexual male relationships in 1935?
Homosexual male relationships were banned, resulting in 5,000 to 15,000 gay men being sent to concentration camps.
112
What was the economic situation in Germany at the start of 1933?
6 million unemployed in Germany; the first economic priority was to address unemployment.
113
What were the Weimar social welfare programs restricted to?
They were restricted to 'racially-worthy' Germans.
114
What was the Winterhilfswerk introduced in 1933-34?
A winter relief program that collected donations amounting to 358 million Reichsmarks.
115
How many people received benefits from the NSV by 1939?
17 million people received benefits from the NSV.
116
Who collected donations for the NSV?
Donations were collected by Brownshirts and Hitler Youth.
117
What was the impact of increased government spending?
It resulted in increased employment and production.
118
What was the German defense budget in 1939?
The German defense budget increased to 26 billion Reichsmarks in 1939.
119
What was the demand for resources like oil, iron, and steel by 1939?
Demand tripled, leading to increased production of armaments, aeroplanes, and tanks.
120
What was the size of the German army in 1939?
The German army had 1.4 million soldiers.
121
What was the Reichsarbeitdienst (RAD) introduced in June 1935?
A National Labour Service for young Germans that involved hard physical labour and provided 'pocket money' instead of wages.
122
What was the goal of the 'Four Year Plan' introduced in 1936?
'Autarky' aimed to make Germany self-sufficient to survive war.
123
What did the Reich Food Estate regulate?
It regulated what farmers could produce, guaranteed prices, and provided subsidies to encourage food production.
124
What was the focus of the German economy regarding scarce resources?
Creating synthetic versions of scarce resources like coal to oil and acorns to coffee.
125
What was the state of the German economy by 1939?
The economy had recovered from the depression, with unemployment down to 300,000 and real wages the same as in 1928.
126
What was the industrial production and government income by 1939?
Industrial production surpassed Weimar levels, with government income at 30 billion Reichsmarks, an increase of 15 billion since 1929.
127
What percentage of raw materials did Germany still import by 1939?
Germany still imported 33% of required raw materials.
128
What was the national debt of Germany by 1939?
The national debt reached 40 billion Reichsmarks.
129
What was the German Labour Front (DAF)?
The DAF was an organization that coordinated the banning of trade unions and incorporated them into its structure in May 1933.
130
What was the aim of the German Labour Front?
The aim was 'to see that every single individual should be able to perform the maximum of work.'
131
What was the membership fee for workers in the DAF?
Each worker had 1.5% of their wages deducted in membership fees.
132
What was the annual income from DAF membership fees by 1937?
The annual income from membership fees was $160,000,000.
133
What law was passed in May 1933 regarding workers' rights?
A law was passed that ended collective bargaining and banned strikes.
134
Who set the wages for workers under the DAF?
Wages were set by a board of 'labour trustees' appointed by Hitler.
135
What was required of every worker by February 1935?
Every worker was required to keep a workbook listing their skills and previous jobs.
136
What could employers do regarding workbooks?
Employers could refuse to release workbooks if a worker wanted to quit, preventing them from getting a new job.
137
What was the average wage for workers by 1936?
The average wage was 35 marks per week, which was less than the average wages during the 1920s.
138
How did the share of national income for German workers change from 1932 to 1938?
In 1932, German workers accounted for 56.9% of national income, which decreased to 53.6% in 1938.
139
What happened to the income from capital and business from 1932 to 1938?
Income from capital and business rose from 17.4% to 26.6% over the same period.
140
What was a common reason workers accepted their conditions under the DAF?
Many workers accepted their conditions because at least they had a job.
141
What was the purpose of the Kraft durch Freude (KdF) organization?
To provide leisure activities to workers and increase productivity in their daily work.
142
When was the KdF organization established?
November 1933.
143
How many hours per year did the average German worker have for leisure activities?
3,740 hours.
144
What types of leisure activities did KdF provide?
Organized sporting clubs, tickets to concerts and recitals, movie nights, and free classes for workers.
145
What was the significance of the KdF's symphony orchestra?
It performed for over 2 million factory workers.
146
How could workers purchase a Volkswagen through KdF?
By sacrificing 5 marks per week.
147
What was the cost of a Volkswagen in relation to the average worker's wages?
990 marks, equivalent to 35 weeks' wages.
148
What types of holidays did KdF offer?
Skiing holidays in Bavaria, cruises to the Canary Islands, and tours of Italy.
149
What was the capacity of the cruise ships owned by KdF?
The ships could carry 1,600 passengers.
150
What facilities were included on KdF's cruise ships?
A gym, theater, swimming pool, 40 lavatories, 100 showers, and 156 loudspeakers for propaganda.
151
What was the intention behind mixing workers and middle-class holidaymakers?
To build the People's Community.
152
How many Germans took advantage of the KdF travel program?
10 million Germans.
153
What was the Schonheit der Arbeit (Beauty of Labour) program?
A program established in 1934 to improve the physical environment of factories and workplaces.
154
What were employers encouraged to invest in under the Beauty of Labour program?
New bathrooms, canteens, and social facilities.
155
How did employers often improve workplace facilities?
By using their own employees to work on improvements without pay, often after hours.
