3. Opposition to Nazism

Question 1

which groups opposed?

Answer 1

Socialists, Youth, Churches, Conservatives and the Army

Question 2

Some methods of resistance included?

Answer 2

hiding Jewish people, printing and distributing underground literature, occasional instances of open agitation, and attempts on Hitler’s life

Question 3

why was opposition ineffective?

Answer 3

• The Nazis eliminated rival power centres and made a security network which meant that it was hard to organise an opposing group.
• Hitler had enormous support which meant that support for opposing groups was limited.
• Opposition was small, disorganised, lacking in support and leadership
• Gleischaltung, terror and repression, propaganda and the promotion of Nazis being answers for better Germany.

Question 4

what does Richard evans say about terror used?

Answer 4

“Knowledge of the ever present danger of denunciation for an incautious word or expression spoken in a public space was important in spreading general fear and anxiety among the population.”

Question 5

How did Socialist oppose?

Answer 5

Social Democrats only party to vote against Enabling Act

Question 6

what happened to socialists by mid 1933?

Answer 6

party and once powerful trade union support base abolished and many socialist leaders sent to concentration camps or fled country

Question 7

why was there shift of support of working class to Nazis?

Answer 7

economy improved

Question 8

what did communist bore the brunt of?

Answer 8

Nazi terror campaign and their influence eliminated

Question 9

what did the communist experience of terror and influence eliminated enhance?

Answer 9

support of Nazis within conservative and middle class circles

Question 10

Youths: when did dissent of Nazi begin?

Answer 10

when pressure to join the Hitler Youth was increasing from about 1937

Question 11

Youths: what was the Blasen youth group?

Answer 11

anti authority youth gangs from the lowest levels of society, confronted Hitler Youths as despised for being out of touch with their lower class subculture

Question 12

Youths: who were the Swing Youth?

Answer 12

– young adults mainly from wealthy social backgrounds, shared interest in Swing and Jazz music, wore trendy English clothes, apolitical rather than hostile to regime. = was no significant danger to Nazi rule.

Question 13

Youths: what was the White Rose resistance movement?

Answer 13

(group of mostly medical students in Munich) led by Hans and Sophie School handed out anti-Nazi leaflets – though little impact, remembered as heroes of the German resistance to Nazism

Question 14

Church: what kind of power did church have?

Answer 14

as 90% of Germans were Christian, the church could have used their moral authority against the Nazis, but did little to resist Hitler,

Question 15

Church: who spoke against Hitler and Nazi party?

Answer 15

except for a few religious individuals, such as Cardinal von Galen who spoke against the Nazi euthanasia policy in 1939 and Pastor Paul Schneider spoke against Hitler Youth movement and Jewish policy although arrested and died at hands of SS

Question 16

Conservatives: what crucial role did old right conservative classes play?

Answer 16

played crucial role in allowing Hitler become chancellor, undermined by Hitler’s outmaneuvering

Question 17

Conservatives: what kind of opposition?

Answer 17

occasional protests and resistance movements

Question 18

Conservatives: what does Ian Kershaw say about resistance to Nazism?

Answer 18

“… the ineffectiveness and failure of German resistance to Nazism had its roots in the strife-torn political climate of the Weimer Republic.”

Question 19

Army: what kind of power?

Answer 19

one of the institution in Germany that retained the power to move against Hitler

Question 20

Army: what did they do in July 1944?

Answer 20

attempt to assassinate Hitler

Question 21

Army: how was army threat ridden?

Answer 21

a compromise with the Nazi regime, Hitler knew it was the only thing that stood in way of his total power and that his foreign policy goals could only be achieved with the army on side

Question 22

Army: what provided satisfaction for army?

Answer 22

Nazi violence, such as the Night of the Long Knives

Question 23

Army: what appealed to army?

Answer 23

program of rearmament and military expansion

Question 24

Army: what further comprised the army’s potential for independent action?

Answer 24

Swore oath of personal allegiance to Hitler

Question 25

Despite general acceptance of Hitler, significant opposition came from..?

Answer 25

within ranks of German military.

Question 26

what do some historians suggest reason for military resistance groups?

Answer 26

suggest that it was a nationalist move motivated by desire to avoid military defeat for Germany rather than revulsion for Nazi policies.