Why Nazis Maintained Power

Question 1

Intro

Answer 1

Weimar Republic struggled to maintain power in Germany after Great Depression

January 1933
- Hitler became Chancellor of Germany which gave Nazis power

Remained in power until Germany was defeated in WWII in 1945

Question 2

Line of Argument

Answer 2

Totalitarian state most important

Question 3

Factors

Answer 3

Social policies, economic policies, propaganda & fear & state terrorism

Question 4

Totalitarian State - Knowledge

Answer 4

From outset Hitler wanted complete control in Germany. After passing of Reichstag Fire Law which took away free speech and gave the power to arrest political enemies, Hitler looked for more permanent solution

Enabling Act of 1933 turned Germany into a dictatorship, originally for 4 years

Trade Unions also banned and replaced by German Labour Front which meant workers did not have a voice

Question 5

Totalitarian State - Analysis For

Answer 5

No one able to challenge them legally. Silenced opposition & made Nazi regime more secure as no dissenting voices

Question 6

Totalitarian State - Analysis Against

Answer 6

Possible to question extent of control. Even after Reichstag fire elections, Nazis only polled 43.9% of vote. Suggests many still stood against them & questions whether they had complete control

Question 7

Totalitarian State - Evaluation

Answer 7

Quite important as it became illegal to form a new political party in July 1933

Question 8

Social Policies - Knowledge

Answer 8

Nazis wanted to control every aspect of German life

Groups such as Hitler Youth & League of German Maidens for children
- Provided activities such as hiking & camping

Education gave pro-Nazi bias
- History taught to glorify Germany & biology taught that Germans were superior race

Policies aimed at women to further Master race
- Given gold medal if they had 8 children

Question 9

Social Policies - Analysis For

Answer 9

Many supported policies. Children liked adventure of Hitler Youth & women felt proud when recognised for doing duty. People continued to support the regime as lives improved compared to under Weimar

Question 10

Social Policies - Analysis Against

Answer 10

Sometimes social policies turned people against regime. Edelweiss Pirates rebelled against Hitler Youth & would attack camping trips. Shows not all Germans conformed to regime

Question 11

Social Policies - Evaluation

Answer 11

Quite important as they indoctrinated youths meaning they believed in Nazi ideology as they didn’t know any different. Totalitarian state more important as William Simpson states “In a rapid series of moves, Hitler consolidates own position, extended authority of Reich government over individual German states & crushed all potential sources of opposition”

Question 12

Economic Policies - Knowledge

Answer 12

Nazis worked to improve economy. Reich Labour Service helped create jobs. Employed men aged 19-25 on compulsory basis

Employed in public work schemes building schools & hospitals

After 1935 conscription of men into army reduced unemployment. With build-up of armed forces jobs created in aviation & shipbuilding

Question 13

Economic Policies - Analysis For

Answer 13

Promised to solve economic problems when they came to power & falling unemployment figures made it look as though they were successful. People supported them as they’d fulfilled their promises

Question 14

Economic Policies - Analysis Against

Answer 14

Not everyone enthused by their policies. Wages were low & in Reich Labour Service it was more like pocket money. Meant the men who worked there didn’t see real economic improvements & sometimes spoke out against Nazi regime

Question 15

Economic Policies - Evaluation

Answer 15

Quite important as they built autobahns & modernised farming but totalitarian state more important as the Night of the Long Knives showed Hitler was willing to wipe out any opposition

Question 16

Propaganda - Knowledge

Answer 16

Joseph Goebbels was Minister of Propaganda & placed in charge of all aspects of media & arts

Nazis used speeches, rallies & posters to spread ideology
- 1 million attended Nuremberg rallies

Radios provided for cheap with limited stations so all Germans heard was Nazi propaganda

Used simple slogans like “One People, One Empire, One Leader”

Question 17

Propaganda - Analysis For

Answer 17

Whole Nazi regime was propaganda exercise. People constantly reminded of Nazi policies & ideas. Some of this must’ve had an impact in encouraging support for regime

Question 18

Propaganda - Analysis Against

Answer 18

More difficult to influence minds of German adults just through propaganda. Already had own ideas & posters or rallies wouldn’t change that. Other factors such as economic problems must’ve played a part

Question 19

Propaganda - Evaluation

Answer 19

Quite important as it was everywhere but many think people knew stories were selective in their use of facts. Totalitarian state more important as Hitler got rid of anti-Nazi judges which meant no fair trials could take place

Question 20

Fear & State Terrorism - Knowledge

Answer 20

First concentration camp set up in Dachau in 1933
- Run by SS soldiers & prisoners were treated horribly & forced to work in terrible conditions

Gestapo were secret police of Nazis. Wore plain clothes & had around 160,000 informants

Gestapo often used intense questioning & torture to extract confessions

Question 21

Fear & State Terrorism - Analysis For

Answer 21

People may’ve been scared to speak out against Nazis in fear of what might happen to them or their families. Instead, they would have to stay quiet or support regime

Question 22

Fear & State Terrorism - Analysis Against

Answer 22

Some historians suggest people weren’t scared of Gestapo & instead used them to settle personal grievances. Wasn’t fear that made people inform but suspicion or jealousy