10 - Opposition to regime

Question 1

Why was there so little resistance and opposition to Hitler and the Nazis in the years 1933 to 1939? (4 points)

Answer 1

1 - popularity of the regime
2 - effectiveness of the Gestapo
3 - concentration camps
4 - lack of organisation

Question 2

Popularity of the regime

Answer 2

• Propaganda: public genuinely believed they were better off under the Nazis. Shown through apparent successes such as falling rate of unemployment. Most Germans actively supported the Nazis or at least conformed to expectations.
• Censorship: prevented criticism of the Nazis and so the population were not exposed to alternative ideas and were not incentivised to challenge the state.

Question 3

Effectiveness of the Gestapo

Answer 3

• very efficient in identifying and arresting leaders of resistance groups which prevented growth of political resistance
  -SPD: anti-Nazi newspaper called ‘Red Shock Troop’ but leaders arrested in 1933 and imprisoned in concentration camps. Eventually SPD leadership decided too risky so stopped.
• Communists: publishers of ‘Red Flag’ newspaper were infiltrated by Gestapo and leaders arrested + also infiltrated ‘Red Orchestra’ cell of Communists in government and military positions which prevented these organisations growing
• Youth opposition: after assassination of Cologne Gestapo Chief, 13 young people hanged in November 1944

Question 4

Concentration camps

Answer 4

• contained opponents to prevent them from gathering support and spreading anti Nazi messages
• made Germans afraid to openly criticise the regime
• 800 pastors and 400 Catholic priests sent to concentration camps
• Communists, Socialists, trade unionists, and others who had left-wing or liberal political views were held in concentration camps
• 1939, approximately 160,000 people imprisoned

Question 5

Lack of organisation

Answer 5

• Church opposition: individuals did speak out however were quickly arrested
• Youth opposition: mainly refusal to conform instead of active opposition e.g. Edelweiss Pirates refused to join Hitler Youth. Limited numbers - by 1939 had 2,000 members, while Hitler Youth had 8 million
• SPD and Communists: political opposition had been forced underground after parties were banned. Forced to operate secretly in localised groups rather than being able to launch any substantial opposition movement