Why so little opposition? Flashcards
Overall, how much opposition did the Nazis face?
Very little
What small acts of opposition might some people do in private?
- Refuse to give the Nazi salute
- Tell anti-Nazi jokes
What is the main reason historians believe there was so little opposition?
Terror (see: the police state)
What other reasons meant people felt less inclined to oppose the Nazis?
- Nazi successes in foreign and domestic policy
- Economic successes
- Propaganda
What did Hitler accomplish between 1933 and 1938 that made many Germans happy?
He took back much of the land that had been taken after WWI
What did Hitler successfully do in 1936 (in foreign policy)?
Remilitarise the Rhineland
What two things did Hitler achieve in 1938?
1) Anschluss (political union) with Austria
2) Gained the Sudentenland
What did Hitler restore to Germany that many felt was missing durings the 1920s?
Order, discipline and traditional values
Which group that was unpopular with many Germans did Hitler deal with?
The Communists - who many saw as rowdy
Why were people so scared of losing their jobs?
They had lived through the Depression - they did not want to go back to that way of living
What did businesses risk if they failed to contribute to the Nazis?
Losing Nazi business - potentially leading to bankruptcy
Did the Nazis reduce unemployment?
Yes. In 1932, unemployment was 6 million. By 1939 it was 0.5 million
What was used to spread the good news?
Relentless propaganda
What did propaganda help Hitler to achieve?
A god-like status. He remained personally very popular even during most of the war
Generally, for many Germans, what did Hitler restore to the country?
A sense of national pride (although underpinned by fear)
