Establishment of Nazi dictatorship

Question 1

Describe the significance of the Night of the Long Knives in the establishment of the Nazi dictatorship.

Answer 1

The Night of the Long Knives in June 1934 was significant as it involved the execution of Ernst Rohm and other SA leaders, which consolidated Hitler’s power by removing potential rivals and securing the loyalty of the army, who took an oath of personal loyalty to Hitler.

Question 2

Explain the legal measures taken by Hitler to consolidate power after the Reichstag fire.

Answer 2

After the Reichstag fire on February 27, 1933, Hitler used the event to blame and ban the communists, justifying the Decree for the Protection of the People and the State on February 28, which granted him emergency powers, suspended civil liberties, and led to the arrest of many anti-Nazis.

Question 3

How did the Enabling Act contribute to Hitler’s total control over Germany?

Answer 3

The Enabling Act, passed on March 23, 1933, allowed Hitler to enact laws without parliamentary consent, effectively abolishing parliamentary procedure and granting him total power, which facilitated the establishment of a totalitarian regime.

Question 4

Define Gleichschaltung and its impact on German society under the Nazis.

Answer 4

Gleichschaltung refers to the process of Nazification of society, which involved the banning of independent trade unions (German Labour Front established, while leaders sent to concentration camps), the dissolution of political parties, and the centralization of government, leading to the complete control of social and political life by the Nazi regime.

Question 5

Discuss the role of Hitler as a dictator in the Nazi regime.

Answer 5

As a powerful dictator, Hitler held multiple roles including leader of the Nazi Party, chancellor, president, and commander-in-chief, but he often avoided decision-making and relied on subordinates, leading to a lack of coordination within the government.

Question 6

What were the limitations of the Nazi Party’s control over the German state?

Answer 6

Despite being a one-party state, the Nazi Party did not completely destroy established state institutions, leading to conflicts and overlaps between party and state functions, as well as the coexistence of rival power centers like the SS and Hitler Youth.

Question 7

How did the death of Hindenburg in August 1934 affect Hitler’s position in Germany?

Answer 7

The death of Hindenburg allowed Hitler to consolidate his power further by merging the positions of chancellor and president, leading to his title as Führer and solidifying his control over the German state.

Question 8

Explain the role of the SS in the Nazi regime following the Night of the Long Knives.

Answer 8

After the Night of the Long Knives, the SS emerged as an independent organization that played a crucial role in enforcing Nazi policies, maintaining internal security, and carrying out the regime’s repressive measures.

Question 9

Describe the impact of the Nazi Party becoming the only legal party in Germany.

Answer 9

The Nazi Party becoming the only legal party on July 14, 1933, eliminated political pluralism, allowing the regime to enforce its ideology without opposition and further entrenching totalitarian control over German society.

Question 10

What changes were made to the bureaucracy of the state under Nazi rule?

Answer 10

Under Nazi rule, the existing bureaucracy was maintained and made effective, with civil servants kept in their positions, but the relationship between the state and the party was unclear, leading to conflicts and a dual system of governance.

Question 11

How did Rudolf Hess and Martin Bormann attempt to strengthen the Nazi Party’s influence after 1938?

Answer 11

Rudolf Hess insisted that civil servants be party members to increase party supervision, while Martin Bormann created the Department for Internal Party Affairs to enforce discipline within the party structure.

Question 12

Describe the role of the Dept for Affairs of State created by Bormann.

Answer 12

It was established to secure party supremacy within the Nazi regime.

Question 13

Explain the purpose of propaganda in Nazi Germany.

Answer 13

Propaganda was used to win over the public, create a sense of Volksgemeinschaft, glorify the Aryan race, and spread Nazism.

Question 14

How did the Nazi regime mobilize the public during wartime?

Answer 14

They used propaganda to sustain morale and provide advice on air raids.

Question 15

Identify the position held by Goebbels in the Nazi government.

Answer 15

Goebbels was the minister of public enlightenment and propaganda.

Question 16

Define the Nazi ideology regarding racial purity.

Answer 16

It emphasized the maintenance of racial purity and established a hierarchy of races.

Question 17

What was the Nazi stance on Jewish people?

Answer 17

They blamed Jewish people for Germany’s problems and promoted anti-Semitic views.

Question 18

Describe the restrictions placed on music during the Nazi regime.

Answer 18

Music by Jews was forbidden, and Jewish musicians were dismissed to uphold Nazi values.

Question 19

How did the Nazi regime control mass communication through radio?

Answer 19

The regime created the Reich Radio Company to produce cheap radios, increasing ownership from 25% to 70% by 1939; loudspeakers installed in factories, cafes, offices; 2/3 airtime = popular songs/music.

Question 20

Explain the significance of the Editor’s Law of 1933.

Answer 20

It ensured that the press reported Nazi views, with punishments for non-compliance.

Question 21

What actions did the Nazis take against socialist and communist newspapers?

Answer 21

They closed down these newspapers and placed others under the control of the Reich Press Chamber; daily press conference at Propaganda Ministry to give guide on what to publish.

Question 22

Describe the themes that were acceptable in Nazi literature and art.

Answer 22

Acceptable themes included the countryside, heroic German warriors, and positive depictions of Nazism, war, and expansion.

Question 23

What was the role of the Reich Chamber of Literature?

Answer 23

It listed banned books and oversaw the censorship of literature, raiding libraries and second-hand bookshops.

Question 24

How did the Nazi regime influence the film industry?

Answer 24

They established the Reich Film Chamber, requiring membership, and mandated political information in film programmes; Weekly Review contained political info; had to be included in all film programmes.

Question 25

What types of rituals did the Nazis use to strengthen their regime?

Answer 25

They held festivals to commemorate significant events like Hitler's birthday and the Munich Putsch, used greetings like 'Heil Hitler', and promoted the Horst Wessel anthem.

Question 26

Describe the changes made to the judicial system under the Nazi regime.

Answer 26

Judges were instructed to issue harsher sentences; 1939 - study Nazi beliefs, and were replaced if they did not comply.

Question 27

What was the role of the SS in the Nazi police state?

Answer 27

Originally Hitler's personal bodyguard, the SS evolved to dominate the police state under Himmler.

Question 28

Explain the significance of Himmler's leadership in the SS.

Answer 28

Under Himmler, the SS became an elite force restricted to Aryans and took control of police powers in 1935 and 1936.

Question 29

How did the Nazis use terror to maintain control?

Answer 29

They established a police state with the SS and Gestapo, enforcing strict laws and punishing dissent.

Question 30

Describe the roles associated with the SS during the regime.

Answer 30

Jobs included policing, intelligence gathering, and military functions.

Question 31

Explain the responsibilities of the SS in terms of security and ideology.

Answer 31

The regime was responsible for security, ideology/race, economy, and military issues.

Question 32

How did the impact of war change the role of policing and security?

Answer 32

The role of policing/security increased significantly due to the war.

Question 33

Define the New Order in the context of occupied lands during the war.

Answer 33

The New Order was a system created in occupied lands to maintain order, expanding the police state from 3 to 35 divisions.

Question 34

What process was developed for individuals based on race and ideology during the war?

Answer 34

A process of exterminating and resettling individuals based on race and ideology was developed.

Question 35

Explain the function of the Gestapo.

Answer 35

The Gestapo was the secret state police responsible for finding and arresting opponents.

Question 36

Describe the consequences for individuals arrested by the Gestapo.

Answer 36

Individuals arrested could be sent to concentration camps.

Question 37

How many agents were part of the Gestapo?

Answer 37

The Gestapo had between 20,000 to 40,000 agents.

Question 38

What was the role of wardens in the Nazi regime?

Answer 38

Wardens were responsible for 50 houses/apartments, ensuring attendance at Nazi flags/rallies.

Question 39

Define the concentration camps' purpose in 1933.

Answer 39

In 1933, concentration camps were used to question and torture opponents to the regime; only 3000 inmates when Himmler took control in 1934.

Question 40

Explain the focus of concentration camps in 1936.

Answer 40

In 1936, the focus shifted to asocials, criminals, and homosexuals.

Question 41

What was the status of inmates in concentration camps by September 1939?

Answer 41

By September 1939, there were 25,000 inmates in concentration camps.

Question 42

Describe the transformation of concentration camps by 1942.

Answer 42

By 1942, regular prisoners and foreign workers were transferred to camps; became extermination camps for Jewish people.

Question 43

What was the inmate count in concentration camps by December 1942 and by January 1945?

Answer 43

By Dec 1942, there were 88,000 inmates; January 1945, there were 714,000 inmates in concentration camps.

Question 44

Explain the activities of the Communist opposition to the regime.

Answer 44

Communists formed cells in large cities and distributed pamphlets attacking Nazis; Red Orchestra = spy network which sent info to Moscow; minimal impact as many arrested after Reichstag fire.

Question 45

Describe the actions of the Social Democrats under the regime.

Answer 45

Social Democrats were banned as a political party but retained some underground activity and anti-Nazi propaganda; leadership often arrested and often members acted out of self-preservation, so had minimal impact.

Question 46

How did trade unions respond to the regime's actions?

Answer 46

Trade unions were weakened by arrests and were largely ineffective after 1933-34.

Question 47

What was the response of churches to the regime's policies?

Answer 47

Figures, like Bishop Galen, attacked policies such as euthanasia, but most adopted a pragmatic response; able to stop euthanasia temporarily; but leaders sent to camps.

Question 48

Explain the army's opposition to the regime.

Answer 48

Army Oath/military success made development of opposition slow; army's support decreased and opposition increased after defeat at Stalingrad, leading to plots against Hitler, such as the Stauffenburg bomb plot - plot failed/officers slow to react; allowed Hitler to regain control; ~5000 members of resistance killed.

Question 49

What was the Kreisau Circle?

Answer 49

The Kreisau Circle included officers, aristocrats, academics, and churchmen who planned for post-Nazi Germany.

Question 50

Describe the actions of the White Rose student group.

Answer 50

The White Rose issued pamphlets condemning the values of the regime, but had minimal impact as leaders were arrested.

Question 51

What were the characteristics of youth opposition groups like the Swing Youth?

Answer 51

Youth groups like the Swing Youth and Edelweiss Pirates resisted the regime's values but were largely ineffective.

Question 52

Describe the anti-Nazi ways of resistance during the Nazi regime.

Answer 52

Resistance included playing dance and jazz music, which opposed the military emphasis of the Hitler Youth, and some individuals attacked military targets or assassinated Gestapo members.

Question 53

Explain the relationship between Christianity and Nazism.

Answer 53

Christianity, particularly in its Jewish roots, contradicted Nazi philosophy. Most Germans were Christians, and those with strong beliefs were less likely to worship Hitler.

Question 54

How did the Protestant Church respond to Nazi policies?

Answer 54

Many in the Protestant Church supported the Nazis due to shared family values, allowing churches to be used as Nazi bases.

Question 55

Define the role of the Catholic Church under Nazi rule.

Answer 55

The Catholic Church sought to preserve its independence by signing the Concordat in July 1933, which guaranteed religious freedom and allowed faith schools, provided the Church stayed out of politics.

Question 56

What was the German Faith Movement and its beliefs?

Answer 56

The German Faith Movement was an alternative to Christianity that embraced Teutonic paganism, rejected Christian ethics, and upheld a racial belief based on blood and land; only 5% joined.

Question 57

Explain the challenges faced by the Nazi regime in coordinating churches by 1935.

Answer 57

By 1935, the Nazis faced growing opposition and failed to coordinate churches, realizing that suppression would alienate too many Germans, leading to limited persecution.

Question 58

Describe Schacht's economic strategy during the Nazi regime.

Answer 58

Schacht's strategy included public investments, low interest rates, rescheduling debts, and assistance to farmers and small businesses, leading to a 70% increase in government expenditure from 1933 to 1936.

Question 59

What was the purpose of Schacht's New Plan introduced in September 1934?

Answer 59

The New Plan aimed to control trade, tariffs, and currency exchange, prioritizing heavy industry and establishing bilateral trade agreements with Southeast Europe.

Question 60

How did the Schacht' affect unemployment?

Answer 60

Led to a 1.6m decrease in unemployment by 1936, as government expenditure increased significantly and job creation schemes.

Question 61

What were the consequences of the Nazi regime's economic policies on the balance of trade?

Answer 61

The policies resulted in a balance of trade deficit, as the government prioritized heavy industry and hid the underlying balance of payments problem.

Question 62

Explain the significance of Pastor Niemoller in the context of church opposition to the Nazis.

Answer 62

Pastor Niemoller was a key figure in the opposition to the Reich Church, leading the Confessional Church and facing imprisonment in a concentration camp for his beliefs; he had the support of 7000 people and 17,000 pastors.

Question 63

What actions did the Nazi regime take against clergy and church institutions?

Answer 63

The regime launched campaigns to harass and discredit clergy, confiscated church funds, closed schools, removed crucifixes, and banned nativity plays.

Question 64

Describe the impact of unemployment on Germany by 1936.

Answer 64

Unemployment decreased by 1.6 million by 1936.

Question 65

Explain the main objectives of Goring’s Four Year Plan in 1936.

Answer 65

The main objectives were to increase production of agriculture and raw materials, control the labor force to prevent inflation, and regulate imports/exports in favor of rearmament.

Question 66

How did the production of aluminium change under Goring’s Four Year Plan?

Answer 66

The production of aluminium increased, although the plan did not meet targets for oil and rubber.

Question 67

What was the state of raw material imports when World War II broke out?

Answer 67

One-third of raw materials were still imported when the war broke out.

Question 68

Define the purpose of the 'Strength through Joy' program.

Answer 68

The program aimed to win support from workers by offering sports facilities, cultural visits, and holidays, but only to loyal workers.

Question 69

Explain the changes in real wages and working hours for workers from 1933 to 1939.

Answer 69

Real wages only surpassed 1929 levels in 1938, while working hours increased from 43 hours in 1933 to 47 hours in 1939.

Question 70

Describe the changes in workers' rights under the Nazi regime.

Answer 70

Workers lost many rights as the DAF replaced trade unions, and wage and condition negotiations were arranged through the DAF.

Question 71

What was the Nazi view on women's roles in society?

Answer 71

The Nazi view emphasized that women should look after the family and home, and were expected to have large families.

Question 72

How did Nazi policies encourage women to marry and leave work?

Answer 72

In June 1933, interest-free loans of 600 Reichsmarks were offered to women who married and gave up work.

Question 73

Explain the educational restrictions placed on girls under Nazi policies.

Answer 73

In January 1934, the proportion of girls allowed to enter higher education was limited, and grammar schools for girls were abolished, banning them from studying Latin.

Question 74

What changes occurred in women's workforce participation from 1937 to 1939?

Answer 74

The number of working women increased from 5.7 million in 1937 to 7.1 million in 1939.

Question 75

Describe the role of women in the workforce during World War II.

Answer 75

By 1942, women made up 52% of the workforce and took on military responsibilities as auxiliaries.

Question 76

What family policies were implemented by the Nazi regime to encourage childbirth?

Answer 76

Strict anti-abortion laws were enforced, maternity benefits improved, and marriage loans were provided worth half a year’s salary for each child.

Question 77

Explain the purpose of the Lebensborn program initiated in 1935.

Answer 77

The Lebensborn program aimed to improve racial standards by caring for unmarried mothers of good racial background and facilitating the impregnation of Aryan girls by SS members; around 11,000 born from this.

Question 78

What was the significance of the Mother’s Cross in Nazi propaganda?

Answer 78

The Mother’s Cross was awarded to mothers for having children, with a slogan promoting the idea of donating a child to the Führer.

Question 79

Describe the centralization of education under the Nazi regime.

Answer 79

Education was centralized under the Reich Ministry of Education, with 'unreliables' removed and courses organized for non-Nazi teachers; head teachers had to be Nazis; indoctrination.

Question 80

How did the curriculum change in Nazi schools?

Answer 80

The curriculum emphasized physical education for strength and fitness, increased focus on German and History, and reinforced racial genetics in Biology.

Question 81

What types of schools were created to promote Nazi ideology?

Answer 81

Schools like Napolas run by the SS, Adolf Hitler schools run by the Hitler Youth, and Ordensburgen were created to promote Nazi ideology and reduce the elite.

Question 82

Describe the impact of the Hitler Youth on German youth during the Nazi regime.

Answer 82

The Hitler Youth aimed to indoctrinate German youth with Nazi ideology, emphasizing German patriotism and the achievements of Hitler. Membership grew from 1% in 1933 to 60% in 1936, becoming compulsory in 1939. Activities were gender-specific, with boys trained as soldiers and girls prepared for roles as wives and mothers.

Question 83

Explain the concept of Social Darwinism as it applied to Nazi racial policies.

Answer 83

Social Darwinism in Nazi ideology posited that Aryans were superior, characterized as intelligent and hardworking. The Nazis believed that Germany's defeat in WWI was due to the presence of 'weak' individuals, leading to policies aimed at preserving Aryan purity through selective breeding and the removal of those deemed biologically inferior.

Question 84

How did the Nazi regime implement its racial policies between 1933 and 1939?

Answer 84

The Nazi regime implemented racial policies through a series of laws and campaigns, including the Sterilisation Law of 1933, which allowed for the sterilization of individuals deemed 'unfit.' This was followed by the Law against Dangerous Habitual Criminals, compulsory castration, and the expansion of concentration camps. The euthanasia campaign began in 1939, targeting the mentally ill.

Question 85

Define the Nuremberg Race Laws and their significance.

Answer 85

The Nuremberg Race Laws, enacted in 1935, stripped Jews of their citizenship and prohibited marriages between Jews and Germans. These laws were a key part of the legal framework for anti-Semitic discrimination in Nazi Germany, leading to widespread social and economic exclusion of Jews.

Question 86

Do you know the events surrounding Kristallnacht and its implications?

Answer 86

Kristallnacht, occurring on November 9-10, 1938, involved coordinated attacks on Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues across Germany, resulting in approximately 100 Jewish deaths. This event marked a significant escalation in anti-Semitic violence and foreshadowed the more systematic persecution that would follow.

Question 87

Explain the role of propaganda in Nazi racial policies.

Answer 87

Propaganda played a crucial role in Nazi racial policies by promoting the idea of Aryan superiority and justifying the persecution of those deemed inferior. It was used to instill fear and support for measures like sterilization and the exclusion of Jews from society.

Question 88

How did the Nazi regime treat Gypsies during its rule?

Answer 88

The Nazi regime persecuted Gypsies, labeling them as non-Aryans and work-shy. They faced legal restrictions, such as a ban on marrying Germans in 1935, and were subjected to registration and deportation, with 30,000 babies deported to special sites in Poland by 1939.

Question 89

Describe the measures taken against Jews in Germany from 1933 to 1938.

Answer 89

Measures against Jews included a boycott of Jewish shops in April 1933, the exclusion of Jews from the civil service, the Nuremberg Race Laws in 1935, and restrictions on Jewish doctors and businesses. By 1938, Polish Jews were expelled, and Jewish businesses were forcibly closed or sold.

Question 90

What was the purpose of the Central Office for Jewish Emigration established in 1938?

Answer 90

The Central Office for Jewish Emigration was established to force Jewish people to emigrate from Germany, facilitating their removal from society as part of the broader anti-Semitic policies of the Nazi regime.

Question 91

How did the Nazi regime's educational policies reflect its anti-academic ethos?

Answer 91

The Nazi regime's educational policies reflected an anti-academic ethos by promoting indoctrination over academic achievement, resulting in fewer new schools and a decline in the number of individuals entering the teaching profession.