consolidation of power in nazi germany Flashcards
What was Gleichschaltung?
Forcible coordination. The government would control all aspects of German life.
What was the impact of the disbanding of political parties
1933
The Nazi Party was the only remaining party in Germany.
What was the impact of the Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich?
- The Reichsrat was abolished. The Reichsrat had represented the German states. There were no more municipal, state or provincial elections.
What was the role of Sicherheitsdienst (SD)?
Intelligence division responsbile for surveillance and compiling reports on individuals.
Who were the Gestapo?
by 1936 they were the most powerful organisation. No legal accountability or oversight. Hence, the officers were often violent.
-> hold over 100,000 citizens in concentration camps.
What were the negative impacts of the German Labour Force?
Strikes were banned
Working hours increase
Wages decrease as cost of living increases
Workers couldn’t negotiate wages or leave their jobs
Increase in accidents in factories.
What were the positive impacts of the German Labour Force?
Security of employment
Leisure programs
Regular working times
When was the Night of the Long Knives? Why did Hitler allow the Night of the Long Knives? What happened in the Night of the Long Knives?
1934
Hindenburg was close to death. A power struggle between Röhm and Hitler was brewing.
Hitler used the SS to eliminate the SA and other ‘enemies of the state’
approx 400
Who was Ernest Röhm?
Captain in the German army in WWI
Formed the SA with Hitler
Was homosexual, which went against the Nazi image.
Publicly challenged Hitler on his method of establishing rule.
What was the impact of the Night of the Long Knives?
eliminate old enemies and members of other political parties.
People were alarmed Hitler had no constitutional limits to his authority
Generals of Reichstag were impressed with Hitler’s method of dealing with opposition. They supported Hitler, hoping that a weaker SA could increase the influence of the army.
Showed that Hitler saw the elimination of opposition as central to his rule, although his purge was not as big as Mao/Stalin.
Who were the main groups in concentration camps?
jews, political prisoners, homosexuals, Jehovah’s witnesses and gypsies
Were concentration camps secretive?
No. They wanted people to know about the camps, so that they could intimidate opposition.
Himmler even held press conferences at the camps.
Were extermination camps secret?
yes
What were 4 key points of Hitler’s image?
fought and was injured in WWI, he understood feeling betrayed by the government.
man of the people who would restore German honour.
would improve living standards.
was a protector of Germany; defending them against Jews, Bolsheivks and extremists.
What is an example of Hitler’s cult of personality?
The army swore an oath to Hitler, not to the country.
