7. Nazi Germany: Politics and Government (1933-1945) Flashcards
Describe the concept of Führerprinzip (“leadership principle”), and the impact it had on leadership and decision-making in Nazi Germany.
The Führerprinzip gave Adolf Hitler unlimited and absolute power under Nazi Germany. This meant that power was vested in the leader and not the people, making Germany now a dictatorship and not a democracy
Explain why the power of the following organisations was illusory (deceptive; not real) under Nazi rule:
a. The Reichstag
b. Ministries (e.g. the Foreign Ministry)
c. The Civil Service
a. The Reichstag remained but it only passed seven laws between 1934 and 1945. After the signing of the enabling Act on March 24, 1933, the Nazi government had the authority to override law making processes in parliament and make and enforce laws.
b. Hitler kept the cabinet of ministers and the ministries from the former Weimar government as they provided a useful level of continuity. However their power was illusory because they were restricted by the new ministries and offices of the Führer chancellery. Hitler abolished cabinet meetings and ministers worked individually, sending draft laws and policies to each other on paper.
c. the administration of the Nazi regime was like the Weimar republic largely done by the civil service. However, under their new minister, William Frick, the Civil Service operated within Nazi ideology and ran on the ideology of the Führerprinzip (leadership principle). Civil Service decisions were often overruled.
How and why did Hitler prevent groups of ministers/politicians from working together?
Abolished cabinet meetings and ministers worked individually, sending draft laws and policies to each other on paper.
How did the Nazis ensure that their system of government was centralised?
- Stripped the Lander (local governments) of many of their powers in March 1933.
- January 30, 1934 the Law for Reconstruction of the Reich officially terminated the Lander —> said that German’s were united against regional differences.
Describe the Nazi ideology of Volksgemeinschaft (a “people’s community”).
Aimed to create a racially united body, people were meant to work for the common good and to benefit the wider country.
How did the roles of the SS and the Gestapo change during the Second World War?
They were given more authority to control the population, and eradicate those described as ‘undesirables’ in new territory Europe.
Identify two pieces of evidence which suggests that the Nazi system of government became decentralised during the war.
- Gauleiters became increasingly powerful during the war and were given control over civil defense measures.
- 13 military districts were formed from the German regions, with the Gauleiters in charge.
Identify two pieces of evidence which suggests that the structure of government expanded during the war.
- Each of the armed forces was given its own ministry to co-ordinate supplies, troops etc
- august 1939, the Ministerial /council for the Defence of the Reich was set up to coordinate domestic affairs to support the war effort.
