5. The Nazi Dictatorship Flashcards
1
Q
When did the creation of the Ministry of Popular Enlightenment and propaganda under Gobbles occur?
A
The creation of the Ministry of Popular Enlightenment and propaganda under Gobbles occured inMarch 1933
2
Q
When did Schacht get appointed as president of the Reichsbank?
A
Schacht was appointed as president of the Reichsbank in March 1933
3
Q
When were all political opposition to the NSDAP declared illegal?
A
On July 14th 1933 all political opposition to the NSDAP declared illegal
4
Q
When was the Night of the Long Knives?
A
The Night of the Long Knives was on 30th June 1934
5
Q
When did president Hindenburg die?
A
President Hindenburg died on the 2nd August 1934
6
Q
When did Hitler become Fuhrer?
A
Hitler became Fuhrer on the 2nd August 1934, when President Hindenburg died.he merged the posts of chancellor and president
7
Q
When did the army and civil service take an oath of loyalty to Hitler?
A
The Civil Service and Army took and oath of loyalty on the 20th August 1934.
8
Q
When was the New Plan introduced?
A
The New Plan was introduced in September 1934
9
Q
When was did mass arrests of socialists and communists occur by the Gestapo?
A
Mass arrests of socialists and communists occurred by the Gestapo in 1935
10
Q
When was Himmler appointed as chief of German police?
A
Himmler was appointed as chief of German police in June 1936
11
Q
When was the Four-Year Plan established under Goring?
A
The Four year plan was established under Goring in October 1936
12
Q
When did Schacht resign as minister of economics?
A
Schacht resigned as minister of economics in November 1937
13
Q
When was the forced resignation of Field Marshal Blomberg and General Fritsch?
A
Field Marshal Blomberg and General Fritsch were forced to resign in February 1938 due to a purge of the army leadership.
14
Q
When was the reich Security Office created (RSHA)?
A
The Reich Security office (RSHA) was created in September 1939.
15
Q
Summarise Hitler’s power in Nazi Germany by 1934.
A
Hitler’s power was unlimited in theory. Nazi Germany was a one party state and Hitler was undisputed leader of the Nazi party. In addition, after the death of Hindenburg on the 2nd August 1934, the ‘Law of Concerning Head of State’ combined the posts of chancellor and president. Constitutionally, Hitler was also commander-in-chief of all the armed services
16
Q
Which law combined the posts of chancellor and president to allow Hitler to become Fuhrer and why was this allowed?
A
After the death of Hindenburg on the 2nd August 1934, the ‘Law of Concerning Head of State’ combined the posts of chancellor and president. This was allowed because the Enabling Act in 1933 allowed Hitler to pass laws without consultation of the Reichstag.
17
Q
Who claimed that the power of the state should be referred as ‘Fuhrer Power’ due to Hitler’s personal dictatorship?
A
E. Huber, a leading Nazi theorist, claimed that the power of the state should be referred as ‘Fuhrer Power’ due to Hitler’s personal dicatorship
18
Q
Why should the state power not be reffered to as ‘Fuhrer Power’?
A
Huber’s grandiose theoretical claims for ‘Fuhrer power’ could not mask basic practical problems.
First, there was no all-embracing constitution in the Third Reich. The government and law of Nazi Germany emerged over time in a haphazards fashion.
Secondly, there was no way one individual could ever be in control of all aspects of government. Thus, Hitler was still dependent on sympathetic subordinates to put policy decisions into effect.
Thirdly, Hitler’s own personality and attitude towards government were mixed and not conducive strong and effective leadership.
19
Q
How was Hitler’s character portrayed?
A
Hitler appeared as a charismatic and dynamic leader. His magnetic command of audience enabled him to play on mass suggestion; he portrayed himself as the ordinary man with the vision, willpower and determination to transform the country. However, this facade was perpetuated by propaganda, and once in government Hitler’s true character revealed itself.
20
Q
How was Hitler’s character described in the memoirs of one of his retinue?
A
Hitler’s character was described as:
“He never left his room before 2pm”
“He disliked the study of documents”
“I sometimes secured decisions from him without his ever asking to see the relevant files”
“He let people tell him what he wanted to hear, everything else he rejected…Hitler refused to let himself be informed”
21
Q
What was Hitler’s character like in reality?
A
Hitler liked to cultivate the image of himself as an artist, but really he was lazy. This was accentuated further by Hitler’s lifestyle: unusual sleeping pattern, long periods o absence from Berlin when he stayed i the Bavarian alps, tendency to become immersed in pet projects such as architectural plans. Furthermore as he got older he became more neurotic and moody, as was demonstrated by his obsession with his health and medical symptoms.
Hitler was not well educated and had no experience that prepared him for any role in government or administration. As cynics say, hitler’s first real job was his appointment as chancellor. He followed no real working routine, he loathed paperwork and disliked the formality of committees in which issues were discussed. he casually believed that mere willpower was the solution to most problems.
22
Q
Describe Hitler’s leadership style.
A
Hitler was not very decisive when it came to making a choice. Although he was presented to the World as the all-powerful dictator, he seldom showed any inclination to co-ordinate the government of Nazi Germany.
For example, the role of the cabinet declined quite markedly after 1934. In 1933 the cabinet met 72 times, but only 4 times in 1936 and the last official cabinet meeting was in February 1938. Consequently, rivalry between the various factions of the party and state was rife and decision making became, more often than not, the result of Fuhrer’s whim or an informal conversation rather than rational clear-cut chains of command.
Ian Kershaw however described Hitler’s leadership as charismatic domination because of his decisive role in the development of the Third Reich. This is because:
- Hitler was crucial because he was still responsible for the overall Nazi dream
- He had no real effective opposition
- Although government structure was chaotic, Hitler did not get lost in the detail of the day-to-day government.
- He generated an environment in which his followers carried out his presumed intentions. In this way, others willingly took the responsibility ‘to work towards the fuhrer’
23
Q
Define Totalitarian
A
Totalitarian= A system of government in which all power is centralised and does not allow any rival authorities.
24
Q
Define Dualism
A
Dualism= A system of government forces in which two forces coexist, for example the Nazi Party and German State
25
What were the March Converts?
March Converts= Those who joined the NSDAP immediately after thew consolidation of power in January -March 1933.
26
How did Nazi totalitarian claims deceive people and why was this?
Nazi totalitarian claims, reinforced by powerful propaganda, deceived people at the time into thinking that Nazism was a clear and well ordered system of government. This was because the exact relationship between the structure of the party on the one hand and the apparatus of the German structure on the other was never clarified satisfactorily. It meant that there was much confusion between the two forces of Nazi government, giving the term dualism.
27
Why did the revolutionary elements of the Nazi party not take control of the civil service to removal traditional organs and create a 'New Germany'?
The revolutionary elements within the party wanted party control of the civil service in order to smash traditional organs of government and to create a new Germany. However nazi leadership did not do this because:
- Many recognised that the bureaucracy of the German state was well established and staffed by educated and effective people. Initially, therefore there was no drastic purge of state apparatus. The 'Law for the Restoration of Professional Civil Service' of April 1933 only called for the removal of Jews and well recognised opponents of the regime
- During 1933 after the Nazi consolidation of power, there was a vast increase in party membership. It increased three-fold from 1933-1935. The 'March Convert tended to dilute the influence of the earlier Nazis, further weakening the radical cutting edge of the party apparatus within the regime.
- Hitler remained unclear on the issue of the party and the state. The 'Law to Ensure the Unity of Party and State' issued in December 1933 proclaimed the party 'is inseparably linked with the state', but the explanation was vague as to be meaningless. Two months later, Hitler declared that the party's principal responsibilities were to implement government measures and organise propaganda and indoctrination. Yet, in September 1934, he told the party congress that 'it is not the state which commands us but rather we who command the state', and a year later he specifically declared the party would assume responsibility for those tasks which the state failed to fulfil. Hitler's ambiguity on this issue is partially explained by the political unrest of these years and by the need to placate numerous interest groups and it was not really ever resolved.
28
When was the 'Law for the Restoration of Professional Civil Service' established and what did it demand ?
The 'Law for the Restoration of Professional Civil Service' of April 1933 only called for the removal of Jews and well recognised opponents of the regime
29
What did the 'Law to Ensure the Unity of Party and State' proclaim and when was it issued?
Hitler remained unclear on the issue of the party and the state. The 'Law to Ensure the Unity of Party and State' issued in December 1933 proclaimed the party 'is inseparably linked with the state'
30
What did Hitler tell the state in September 1934?
in September 1934, he told the party congress that 'it is not the state which commands us but rather we who command the state', and a year later he specifically declared the party would assume responsibility for those tasks which the state failed to fulfil.
31
How did the state bureaucracy act towards Weimar democracy?
Generally, the state bureaucracy was unsympathetic to Weimar democracy, but was largely committed to institutions of the state.
However, in 1934 civil servants, the same as the army, were forced to make a new oath of loyalty to Hitler. Only five percent of civil servants dissented and were purged and, as time passed, more and more joined the party until it became compulsory in 1939.
32
Why did the attitude of the state bureaucracy change towards the Nazi party?
However, in 1934 civil servants, the same as the army, were forced to make a new oath of loyalty to Hitler. Only five percent of civil servants dissented and were purged and, as time passed, more and more joined the party until it became compulsory in 1939.
33
When did it become compulsory for the civil servants to join the Nazi party?
In 1939 it became compulsory for the civil servants to join the Nazi party in 1939.
34
Who was head of the Reich Chancellery and what was his role?
Henrich Lammers was head of the Reich chancellery and he played a vital role because he drew up all government legislation and became the vital link between Hitler and all the other organisations, so he in effect controlled all the flow of information.
35
What was the role of the Reich Chancellery?
The Reich Chancellery was responsible for co-ordinating government and, as the role of the cabinet declined from 1934, it became more important.
Despite being a very effective bureaucrat Lammers found it impossible to co-ordinate effectively the growing number of organisations.
36
Why did the role of the Reich Chancellery become more important?
The role of the cabinet declined from 1934, it became more important.
37
Why did Lammers find it difficult to co-ordinate the organisations?
Despite being a very effective bureaucrat Lammers found it impossible to co-ordinate effectively the growing number of organisations.
38
What is the Ribbentrop Bureau?
Ribbentrop Bureau= The office created by the Nazi Ribbentrop, who ran his own personal 'bureau' to oversee foreign affairs
39
What is High treason?
High Treason= The crime of betraying one's country, especially by attempting to overthrow the leader of government
40
What was Nacht und Nebel?
Nacht und Nebel= 'Night and fog'. Name given to a decree by hitler in December 1941 to seize any person thought to be dangerous. They should vanish into Nacht und Nebel.
41
How were government ministries run?
Ministries such as transport, education and economics, were run by leading civil servants. They were generally very conservative, most notably the Foreign Office. They were under pressure in the late 1930's from growing Nazi institutions: for example,
the Economics Ministry was affected by the Four-Year-Plan and
the Foreign Office lost its position of supreme control to the Ribbentrop Bureau.
Very significantly, the aristocrat Neurath was replaced as Foreign Minister in 1938 by Nazi Ribbentrop.
42
Who replaced Neurath as Foreign Minster?
Very significantly, the aristocrat Neurath was replaced as Foreign Minister in 1938 by Nazi Ribbentrop.
43
How were the judiciary run under Nazi ruling?
In the 1920's the judiciary was hostile to the Weimar Republic. It had been very conservative and in notourious cases it had been biased against the left and in favour of the right. Accordingly, the judiciary was reasonably content to work with the regime. Judges and lawyers were co-ordinated and join the Nazi Lawyers' Association and wear an oath of loyalty to Hitler, as did the rest of the civil servants.
44
What were lawyers and judges made to do under the Nazi regime?
Judges and lawyers were co-ordinated and join the Nazi Lawyers' Association and wear an oath of loyalty to Hitler, as did the rest of the civil servants.
45
How did the structure of the new courts allow Nazis to get around the established system of justice?
The new structure of courts allowed Nazis to get around the established system of justice:
1933- Special courts were set up to try political offences without a jury
1934- the People's Court was established to try cases of high treason with a jury composed specifically of Nazi party members, 7,000 of the 16,000 cases resulted in a death sentence from 1934-1945.
1939- Anyone qualifying to become a judge had to make a 'serious study of National Socialism and its ideological foundations.
Furthermore all legal authorities became subordinated to the arbitrary power of the SS-Police system, which increasingly behaved above the law. The decree of Nacht und Nebel of 1941 gave the SS police system the right to imprison without question any person thought to be dangerous. Accordingly, the traditional role of the judiciary in the state continued to function, it was severely subverted
46
Overall, summarise the change in the judiciary.q
the traditional role of the judiciary in the state continued to function, it was severely subverted
47
What change/ to the judiciary occurred in 1933?
1933- Special courts were set up to try political offences without a jury
48
What change/ to the judiciary occurred in 1934?
1934- the People's Court was established to try cases of high treason with a jury composed specifically of Nazi party members, 7,000 of the 16,000 cases resulted in a death sentence from 1934-1945.
49
What change/ to the judiciary occurred in 1939?
1939- Anyone qualifying to become a judge had to make a 'serious study of National Socialism and its ideological foundations.
50
How many cases in the People's Court resulted in the death sentence?
From 1934-1945 7,000 of 16,000 cases resulted in the death sentence, in the People's Court.
51
What organisation did all legal authorities become subordinated to?
Furthermore all legal authorities became subordinated to the arbitrary power of the SS-Police system, which increasingly behaved above the law. The decree of Nacht und Nebel of 1941 gave the SS police system the right to imprison without question any person thought to be dangerous. Accordingly, the traditional role of the judiciary in the state continued to function, it was severely subverted
52
How were regional state governments run in the Nazi regime?
By early 1934, Gelichschaltung had destrouyed the federal principle of government. The Nazi Reich governors existed only 'to execute the will of the supreme leadership of the Reich', who more often than not were local party Gualeiters with full powers.
53
How many Nazi party members were there in 1933?
There were 1.5 million members of the Nazi party in 1933
54
How many Nazi party members were there in 1945?
There were 6 million members of the Nazi party in 1945
55
What was the role and shape of the Nazi party determined by?
The role and shape of the Nazi party was determined by its background and composition.
Its organisation had been created and had evolved in order to gain political power. However from 1933 the party required a new role, and it was not a unified structure or geared to the task of government.
The party's problems were caused by:
- Up to 1933 it had developed the need to attract support from different sections of society and it consisted of a mass of specialist organisations (e.g. Hitler Youth). Once in power such groups were keen to uphold and advance their own particular interests.
- Party became increasingly splintered. Various other organisations of dubious political position were created and some institutions were caught between the state and the party. E.g. Four Year Plan was added in response to the economic crisis of 1936.
- Actual membership and administrative structure of the party was established on the basis of Fuhrerprinzip in a major hierarchy, but did not work in terms of effective government. System led to the dominating roles of Gauleiters in their regions, who believed their only allegiance was to Hitler. As a result, they endeavoured to preserve their own interests and tended to resist the authorities of both state and the party.
56
What were the problems which the shape and structure of the Nazi party faced/caused?
- Up to 1933 it had developed the need to attract support from different sections of society and it consisted of a mass of specialist organisations (e.g. Hitler Youth). Once in power such groups were keen to uphold and advance their own particular interests.
- Party became increasingly splintered. Various other organisations of dubious political position were created and some institutions were caught between the state and the party. E.g. Four Year Plan was added in response to the economic crisis of 1936.
- Actual membership and administrative structure of the party was established on the basis of Fuhrerprinzip in a major hierarchy, but did not work in terms of effective government. System led to the dominating roles of Gauleiters in their regions, who believed their only allegiance was to Hitler. As a result, they endeavoured to preserve their own interests and tended to resist the authorities of both state and the party.
57
Who was Rudolf Hess?
Rudolf Hess was a long standing secretary of Hitler who became deputy leader of the party from 1933-1941.
58
How did the shape and structure of the party develop?
The position of the party improved over the years, mainly due to Rudolf Hess, deputy Fuhrer, who was granted special powers and developed a party bureaucracy in mid 1930's. In 1935 he was given the right to vet the appointment and promotion of civil servants, and to oversee the drafting of legislation. By 1939, it had become compulsory for all civil servants to be party members. In this way, the foundations were laid for increasing party supervision.
Martinn Bormann also played a role in the changing fortunes of the party structure. He was a skilled hard working administrator and deputy to Hess. He analysed the problems confronting the party and created two new departments with the aim of strengthening the party's position:
- Department of Internal Party Affairs, which had the task of exerting discipline within the party structure
- Department for Affairs of State, which aimed to secure party supremacy over the state.
During the war years, Bormann continued to strengthen the party and became in charge of the party chancellery. By 1943 after sheer perseverance and meddling he became Hitler's secretary, securing direct access to the Fuhrer. He created an immensley strong power base for himself.
59
What role did Martin Bromann play in strengthening the structure of the party?
Martinn Bormann also played a role in the changing fortunes of the party structure. He was a skilled hard working administrator and deputy to Hess. He analysed the problems confronting the party and created two new departments with the aim of strengthening the party's position:
- Department of Internal Party Affairs, which had the task of exerting discipline within the party structure
- Department for Affairs of State, which aimed to secure party supremacy over the state.
During the war years, Bormann continued to strengthen the party and became in charge of the party chancellery. By 1943 after sheer perseverance and meddling he became Hitler's secretary, securing direct access to the Fuhrer. He created an immensley strong power base for himself.
60
Which departments were introduced to strengthen the party's position and structure?
- Department of Internal Party Affairs, which had the task of exerting discipline within the party structure
- Department for Affairs of State, which aimed to secure party supremacy over the state.
61
What role did Rudolf Hess play in strengthening the party's position and structure?
The position of the party improved over the years, mainly due to Rudolf Hess, deputy Fuhrer, who was granted special powers and developed a party bureaucracy in mid 1930's. In 1935 he was given the right to vet the appointment and promotion of civil servants, and to oversee the drafting of legislation. By 1939, it had become compulsory for all civil servants to be party members. In this way, the foundations were laid for increasing party supervision.
62
Who were the key figures in strengthening the party's role and structure?
Deputy Fuhrer Rudolff Hess, and his chief staff at the time, Martinn Bormann
63
What can we conclude about the Nazi party and State structure?
The Nazi party became more than merely an organisation geared to seizing power. It strengthened its position in relation to traditional apparatus of the state. Undoubtedly, it was one of the key power blocks within Nazi Germany and its influence continued to be felt until the very end.
However:
- The party bureaucracy had to compete strenuously for influence over the established state institutions, and the latter were never destroyed even if they were constrained
- The internal divisions and rivalries within the party were never overcome
- The independance of the Gauleiters was a main obstacle to control as they preserved their own interests, resisting the party and the state.
Consequently the Nazi party never became an all-pervasive dominating instrument.
64
What was the SS?
SS= Secret Service. The SS developed an identity and structure of its own which kept it separate from the state and yet, through its dominance of police matters, linked with the state.
65
What is was the RSHA?
RSHA= Reich Security Office which amalgamated all police and security organisations.
66
Which organisation amalgamated all police and security organisations?
RSHA+ Reich Security Office amalgamated all police and security organisations
67
What was the Waffen SS?
Waffen SS= The armed SS, a paramilitary organisation of elite troops
68
What was Kripo?
Kripo= Criminal police responsible for the maintenance of general law and order
69
Who were the asocials?
Asocials= Nazi Volksgemeinschaft excluded those who were 'socially unfit' as they deviated from the norms of society. The term was applied in an elastic manner: Vagabonds, prostitutes, alcoholics, homosexuals, criminals, etc.
70
What was a block warden?
Block Warden= A low ranking local party man who provided information for the local office on the people of their neighbourhood.
71
What was the 'New order'?
New Order= A phrase given by the Nazis to the economic, political and racial integration under the Third Reich.
72
What was the GDR?
German Democratic Republic
73
What is a revisionist?
Revisionist= Aim to modify/change, refers to a historian who challenges a well established interpretation.
74
When was the SS formed and why?
The emergence of Himmler and the SS The SS had been formed in 1925 as an elite bodyguard for Hitler, but it remained a relatively minor section of the SA, with only 250 members, until Himmler became its leader in 1929
75
How many were part of the SS by 1933?
By 1933 the SS numbered 52,000, and it had established a reputation for blind obedience and total commitment to the Nazi cause.
76
What did Himmler create to act as internal security police?
Himmler had also created in 1931 a special security service, the SD (Sicherheitsdienst), to act as the party's own internal security police.
77
Who was leader of the SS?
Himmler
78
In 1933/4 what power allowed the SS to increase their effectiveness?
In 1933--4 he assumed control of all the police in the Länder, including the Gestapo in Prussia. Thus, Hitler turned to Himmler's SS to carry out the purge of June 1934 . The loyalty and brutal efficiency of the SS on the Night of the Long Knives had their rewards, for it now became an independent organisation within the party.
79
When did the SS become an independent organisation within the Nazi party?
The loyalty and brutal efficiency of the SS on the Night of the Long Knives had their rewards, for it now became an independent organisation within the party.
80
When did all police powers become controlled by Himmler?
In 1936 all police powers were unified under Himmler's control as 'Reichsführer SS and chief of all German police', including the Gestapo.
81
What organisation did all the security organisations go under in 1939?
In 1939 all party and state police organizations involving police and security matters were amalgamated into the RSHA, overseen by Himmler, but actually - ordinated by his deputy, Heydrich.
82
What were the main functions of the SS?
The SS - Police system which had been created four main functions: policing; intelligence; treatment of opponents; military action of Waffen SS.
83
What was the role of the kripo?
The Kripo was responsible for the maintenance of general law and order, for example dealing with asocials and thieves. In 1936 the Kripo was linked with the Gestapo, which was the key policing organization for waging war against the political and social enemies of the state. It had a reputation for brutality and could arrest and detain anyone without trial, although its thoroughness and effectiveness have been questioned
84
When and why was the Kripo linked with the SS?
In 1936 the Kripo was linked with the Gestapo, which was the key policing organization for waging war against the political and social enemies of the state.
85
What was the role of the SD?
Along with the Gestapo and the Kripo, the SD was responsible for all intelligence gathering and security and was controlled by its leader, Heydrich, but still linked to the SS. It made very effective use of informers, who were often Nazi sympathisers in the workplace or block wardens. In this way, informers operating at a local level were easily able to pass information to the authorities and worst of all to denounce possible opponents.
86
What did Hitler do to political opponents in his first few weeks in power?
Within a few weeks of Hitler's coming to power, camps were created to deal with political opponents / mainly socialists and communists. Yet, by early 1934 many of the detainees in these early 'wild camps' had in fact been released.
87
When the political opponents had been released in 1934 from the wild camps, what replaced them?
Yet, by early 1934 many of the detainees in these early 'wild camps' had in fact been released. Instead, amore formalised system evolved from the prototype concentration camp of Dachau, near Munich, which was then followed by Sachsenhausen, Buchenwald and Lichtenberg (for women).
88
How were the first concentration camps run?
The commandant of Dachau was Theodore Eicke, who imposed a strict system rules, routines and punishments carried out by SS guards, known as the Death's Head Units. On a daily basis, prisoners had to sleep on wooden planks (without blankets), attend lengthy parades for registration, and work a twelve-hour day of often physically demanding quarry work with minimal rations. Refusing to work was punishable by death, and even criticising the regime would result in two weeks of solitary confinement in tiny cells. These early concentration camps were brutal, but they were not like the extermination of the war years. And the regime did not try to keep them secret - in fact, it publicised their existence as a deterrent.
89
How many prisoners were there initially in the concentration camps and how did this number grow?
Up until 1936 the number of prisoners was no more than 6000, but after that it increased dramatically as the authorities started to round up anyone who did not conform - asocials, homosexuals, beggars, gypsies. By 1939 the number of inmates had grown to 21,000. During the war years the concentration camp system expanded enormously, with horrific consequences
90
Describe the Waffen SS.
The Waffen SS Up to 1938 the Waffen SS consisted of about 14,000 soldiers in three units; it was racially pure, fanatically loyal and committed to Nazi ideology. Its influence grew rapidly as a consequence of the weakening of the German Army in the Blomberg-Fritsch crisis and also by the more anti-Semitic policies
91
Why did the SS State grow and become more influential?
The takeover of territories from 1938 to 1941 and the creation of he New Order 'marked the start of a significant expansion of the power of the SS and Himmler himself. As Reichsführer SS, Himmler controlled a massive police apparatus answerable only to Hitler. The SS system grew into a key power bloc in the Third Reich. It became, in the words of E. Kogon in the 1950s, a 'state within a state'. It a huge organization, which numbered 250,000 in 1939 and had begun to eclipse other interest groups in terms of influence.
As German troops gained control over more and more areas of Europe, the power of the SS was inevitably was an enhanced:
* Security. All responsibilities of policing and intelligence expanded as the number of occupied lands increased. The job of internal security became much greater and SS officers were granted the authority to crush opposition
* Military. The Waffen SS increased from three divisions in 1939 to 35 in 1945 which developed into a 'second army': committed, brutal and militarily highly. rated. By 1944 the Waffen SS was so powerful that it rivalled the position of the German Army.
* Economy. The SS became responsible for the creation of the 'New Order' in the occupied lands of eastern Europe. Such a scheme provided opportunities for plunder and economic exploitation on a massive scale which members of the SS capitalised to the full. By the end of the war, the SS had created a massive commercial organisation of over 150 firms, which used slave labor to extract raw materials and to manufacture textiles, armaments and household goods.
* Ideology and race. The racial policy of extermination and resettlement was pursued with vigour, and the system of concentration camps was widely established and run by the SS Death's Head Units. The various' inferior were even used for their economic value such as slave labor.
92
How many SS members were there in 1939?
250,000 in 1939
93
How did the power of the SS increase?
* Security. All responsibilities of policing and intelligence expanded as the number of occupied lands increased. The job of internal security became much greater and SS officers were granted the authority to crush opposition
* Military. The Waffen SS increased from three divisions in 1939 to 35 in 1945 which developed into a 'second army': committed, brutal and militarily highly. rated. By 1944 the Waffen SS was so powerful that it rivalled the position of the German Army.
* Economy. The S became responsible for the creation of the 'New Order' in the occupied lands of eastern Europe. Such a scheme provided opportunities for plunder and economic exploitation on a massive scale which members of the SS capitalised to the full. By the end of the war, the SS had created a massive commercial organisation of over 150 firms, which used slave labor to extract raw materials and to manufacture textiles, armaments and household goods.
* Ideology and race. The racial policy of extermination and resettlement was pursued with vigour, and the system of concentration camps was widely established and run by the SS Death's Head Units. The various' inferior were even used for their economic value such as slave labor.
94
How did the SS strengthen the disputes within the Third Reich, strengthening it?
The SS was not immune to the rivalries and arguments which typified government în Nazi Germany Disagreements often arose, particularly with local Gauleiters and the governors of the occupied territories. However, the SS state under Himmler not only preserved the Nazi regime through its brutal, repressive and arbitrary policies of law enforcement, it also gradually extended its influence. In this way, it evolved over time to become the key power group in the Third Reich.
95
What were the arguments for the power of the SS?
Although it has been generally accepted that the SS developed into the key power in the Third Reich, its influence over people's everyday lives has been questioned. Traditionally, the Gestapo was seen as representing the all-knowing police state. This view was actually cultivated by the Gestapo itself, by the Allied propagandists during the war and by many post-war films. This interpretation was largely upheld in academic circles, most notably in the standard work The History of the Gestapo by Jacques Delarue in 1962. He entitled one chapter 'The Gestapo is Everywhere 'and then wrote:' Never before, in no other land and at no other time, had an organisation attained such a comprehensive penetration [of society], possessed such power and reached such a degree of "completeness“ its ability to arouse terror and horror, as well as in its current effectiveness'.
96
What are the arguments for the limits of power of the Gestapo?
However, many local studies of Germany have led to an influential reinterpretation.The German historians K.M.Mallman and G. Paul, and the US historian R. Gellately, have drawn attention to the limits of the Gestapo's policing by revealing that:
* The manpower of the Gestapo was limited: only 40,000 agents for the whole of Germany. Large cities, like Frankfurt or Hamburg, with about half a million people, were policed by just about 40–50 agents.
* Most Gestapo work was actually prompted by public informers: between 50 and 80 per cent in different areas. Much information and many denunciations were mere gossip, which generated enormous amounts of paperwork for limited return.
* The Gestapo had relatively few 'top agents', so it coped by over-relying on the work of the Kripo.
It should be noted that the police apparatus of the GDR from 1949 was much more extensive than the Gestapo
More recently, the US historian Eric Johnson has tried to put the latest revisionist views into perspective through his case study of the Rhineland. He accepts the limitations of the Gestapo, and argues that it did not impose a climate of terror on ordinary Germans. Instead, it concentrated on surveillance repression of specific enemies: the political left, Jews and, to a lesser extent, religious groups and asocials. Controversially, he claims that the Nazis and die German population formed a grim 'pact': the population turned a blind ye to the Gestapo's persecution and, in return, the Nazis overlooked minor transgressions of the law by ordinary Germans.
97
Which Historian had an revisionist approach on the power of the Gestapo?
More recently, the US historian Eric Johnson has tried to put the latest revisionist views into perspective through his case study of the Rhineland. He accepts the limitations of the Gestapo, and argues that it did not impose a climate of terror on ordinary Germans. Instead, it concentrated on surveillance repression of specific enemies: the political left, Jews and, to a lesser extent, religious groups and asocials. Controversially, he claims that the Nazis and die German population formed a grim 'pact': the population turned a blind ye to the Gestapo's persecution and, in return, the Nazis overlooked minor transgressions of the law by ordinary Germans.
98
Which Historians argued that there was a limitation in the power influence of the Gestapo?
However, many local studies of Germany have led to an influential reinterpretation.The German historians K.M.Mallman and G. Paul, and the US historian R. Gellately, have drawn attention to the limits of the Gestapo's policing
99
What was created to springboard the influence and effectiveness of propaganda?
Ministry of Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda, by Goebbels
100
What were the aims from establishing the Ministry of Enlightenment and Propaganda?
Considerable resources were directed towards the development of the propaganda machine in order to achieve the following aims:
* to glorify the regime
* to spread the Nazi ideology and values (and by implication to censor the unacceptable)
* to win over the people and to integrate the nation's diverse elements into Volksgemeinschaft.
All the means of public communication were brought under state control.
101
Why was it important for the Nazis to use the Radio as a form of propaganda?
Goebbels (and Hitler) had always recognised the effectiveness of the spoken word over the written and they had already begun to use new technology during the election campaigns of 1932–3. Up until this time, German broadcasting had been organised by regional states. Once in power, Goebbels efficiently brought all broadcasting under Nazi control by the creation of the Reich Radio Company. Furthermore, he arranged the dismissal of thirteen per cent of the staff on political and racial grounds, and replaced them with his own Nazi men. He told his broadcasters: 'I am placing a major responsibility in your hands, for you have in your hands the most modern instrument in existence for influencing the masses. By this instrument you are the creators of public opinion'.
102
How did the Nazis increase the effectiveness of radio as a form of propaganda?
Yet, control of broadcasting was of little propaganda value unless the people had the means to receive it. In 1932 fewer than 25 per cent of German households owned a wireless (radio), although that was quite a high figure compared to the rest of the world. Consequently, the Nazi government arranged the production of a cheap set, the People's Receiver (Volksempfänger). Radio was a new and dynamic medium and access increased markedly. By 1939, 70 per cent of German homes had a radio - the highest national figure in the world- and it became a medium of mass communication controlled completely by the regime.
Broadcasting was also directed at public places. The installation of loudspeakers in restaurants and cafes, factories and offices made them all into venues for collective listening. 'Radio wardens' were even appointed, whose duty it was to co-ordinate the listening process.
103
Why was it difficult for Goebbels to gain control of the press?
Control of the press was not so easily achieved by Goebbels. Germany had over 4700 daily newspapers in 1933 - a result of the strong regional identities which still existed in a state that had only been unified in 1871 All were owned privately, and traditionally owed no loyalty to central government; their loyalty was to their regional publishing company.
104
What measures were taken to gain control of the press?
Various measures were taken to achieve Nazi control:
* The Nazi publishing house, Eher Verlag, bought up numerous newspapers, so
* The various news agencies were merged into one, the state-controlled DNB, that by 1939 it controlled two-thirds of the German press. which vetted news material before it got to journalists.
* Goebbels introduced a daily press conference at the Propaganda Ministry L provide guidance on editorial policy.
* The so-called Editors' Law of October 1933 made newspaper content the sole responsibility of the editor, who had to satisfy the requirements of the Propaganda Ministry or face the appropriate consequences. As a cynic implied, There was no need for censorship because the editor's most important function was that of censor.
105
Evaluate the success of the Nazis gaining control of the press.
To a large extent, the Nazis succeeded in muzzling the press so that even the internationally renowned Frankfurter Zeitung was forced to close in 1943 whereas the circulation of the party's official newspaper, Völkisher Beobachter continued to grow after 1933, reaching 1.7 million by 1944. However , the price of that success was the evolution of bland and sterile journalism, which undoubtedly contributed to a ten per cent decline in newspaper circulation before 1939.
106
How did the Nazi party aim to use the Berlin Olympics in 1936 as propaganda?
The 1936 Olympic Games were awarded to Berlin in 1931, well before Hitler and the Nazis had come to power. Yet, despite Hitler's initial doubts, Goebbels was determined to exploit them as the 'gold-mine' advertisement. Initially, he saw the games as a means to present Nazi propaganda aims, but with several important caveats:
* They were to glorify the regime not only for the German people, but also for millions of people across the world, who would see Nazi Germany as to suCcess.
* They were trying to spread Nazi ideological themes, without causing international upset. So, for example, many anti-Jewish posters were removed and newspapers were made to play down their virulent messages.
Everything was done to present a positive image of the 'new Germany'.
107
What was done ahead of the Berlin Olympics to promote the propaganda of a 'New Germany'?
Everything was done to present a positive image of the 'new Germany'. Over 42 million Reichsmarks were spent on the 130-hectare (325-acre) Olympics sports complex and the gigantic Olympic stadium was built of natural stone in the classical style, the original modernist plan having been rejected. It could seat 110,000 spectators and at the time it was the world's largest stadium. The new Berlin Olympic Village was also a prototype for future games, with excellent facilities.
Media preparations:
Radio. Twenty transmitting vans were put at the disposal of the foreign media along with 300 microphones. Radio broadcasts at the Olympics were given in 28 different languages.
Film. The Nazis promoted and financed filming by the director Leni Riefenstahl. She brought 33 camera operators to the Olympics and shot over a million feet of film. It took her eighteen months to edit the material into a four-hour film, Olympia, which was released in two parts beginning in April Not surprisingly, the Nazi government was meticulous in overseeing all the 1938.
Television. Television was in its early stages, but the games prompted a significant technical development. Broadcasts of the games were made and seen by 150,000 people in 28 public television rooms in Berlin, although the image quality was variable.
108
What were the media preparations ahead of the Olympic games in 1936?
Media preparations:
Radio. Twenty transmitting vans were put at the disposal of the foreign media along with 300 microphones. Radio broadcasts at the Olympics were given in 28 different languages.
Film. The Nazis promoted and financed filming by the director Leni Riefenstahl. She brought 33 camera operators to the Olympics and shot over a million feet of film. It took her eighteen months to edit the material into a four-hour film, Olympia, which was released in two parts beginning in April Not surprisingly, the Nazi government was meticulous in overseeing all the 1938.
Television. Television was in its early stages, but the games prompted a significant technical development. Broadcasts of the games were made and seen by 150,000 people in 28 public television rooms in Berlin, although the image quality was variable.
109
What Nazi ideal was emphasised during the 1936 Olympics?
The Nazi ideal of the tall, athletic, blue-eyed Aryan race was further emphasized through the image of the athlete Siegfried Eifrig lighting the torch at the start of the games in the Olympic stadium. On the sports front, Germany successfully finished top of the medal table, gaining 89 medals with the Americans coming in second with 56.
110
How was the Nazi athletic ideal diminished?
Despite the huge German success in the Olympics on the field, the Nazi dream was marred by the success of the black American athlete Jesse Owens, who won four gold medals.
111
Overall, evaluate the success of the 1936 Olympics for Nazi Germany.
Overall, the Berlin Olympics were a major success for the Nazis, who gained praise for their excellent management and impressive spectacle, as was recognized by the US correspondent William Shirer: I'm afraid the Nazis have succeeded with their propaganda. First, the Nazis have run the games on a lavish scale never before experienced, and this has appealed to the athletes. Second, the Nazis have put up a very good front for the general visitors, especially the big businessmen. Their facade was a success.
112
What was the Horst Wessel?
Horst Wessel= Song written by a young Nazi stormtrooper who was killed in a fight with Communists in 1930. The song became a Nazi marching song and later virtually became an alternative national anthem.
113
How were Nazi rituals used as propaganda?
One final aspect of the Goebbels propaganda machine was the deliberate attempt to create a new kind of social ritual. The Heil Hitler greeting, the Nazi salute, the Horst Wessel anthem and the preponderance of militaristic uniforms were all intended to strengthen the individual's identity with the regime, increasing the strength, size and conformity of the regime.This also developed the sense of culture and unity within the nation. This Was further encouraged by the establishment of a series of public festivals to commemorate historic days in the Nazi calendar
114
How did the Nazi's aim to use culture as a propaganda tool?
Nazi culture was no longer to be promoted merely as' art for art's sake '. Rather, it was to serve the purpose of molding public opinion, and, with this in mind, the Reich Chamber of Culture was supervised by the Propaganda Ministry. Germany's cultural life during the Third Reich was simply to be another means of achieving censorship and indoctrination, although Goebbels expressed it i more pompous language: What we are aiming for is more than a revolt o. historic mission is to transform the very spirit itself to the extent that people and things are brought into a new relationship with one another. '
115
What culture in the third Reich 'co-ordinated' by?
Culture was therefore 'co-ordinated' (see pages 141–4) by means of the Reich Chamber of Culture, established in 1933, which made provision for seven sub-chambers: fine arts, music, the theatre, the press, radio, literature and films.
116
What were the seven sub chambers of the Reich Chamber of Culture?
Fine arts, music, the theatre, the press, radio, literature and films.
117
When was the Reich Chamber of Culture established?
1933
118
What was ideological prejudices was Nazi culture dominated by?
- Anti-semitism
- Militarism and glorification of war
- Nationalism and glorification of war
- The cult of the Fuhrer and the power of absolutism
- Anti-moderism and the theme of 'Blood and Soil'
- Neo-paganism and a rejection of traditional Christian values
119
Define anti-modernism.
Anti modernism= Strand of opinion which rejects/objects change to society and culture brought about by technological advancement.
120
What reflected the views of the German writers and dramatists on the new cultural atmosphere?
Literature Over 2500 of Germany's writers left their homeland during the years 1933-1945. This fact alone is a reflection of how sadly German writers and dramatists viewed the new cultural atmosphere.
121
Which famous authors remained in Nazi Germany?
Thomas Mann, the author and Nobel Prize winner, who was a democrat and an old-fashioned liberal.
Bertolt Brecht, the prestigious modern playwright, who was a communist.
Frich Maria Remarque, the author of All Quiet on the Western Front, who was pacifist.
