Living under Nazi rule Flashcards
how did Germany politically change from 1870 - 1920
- In 1871 Germany had a strong army unified under the new empire after 3 successive victories by the Prussians (Germans) which formed the german empire. won Allsace Loraine back from french
- In 1920 : heavy consequences for damage done by 1st WW.
heavily taxed for damages. Army disbanded (to only 100,000 and were only allowed 6 warships). had to give land of Alsace lloraine back and polish land
what is the ‘Stab in the back’ myth?
German people were made to believe by the Nazi party that the soldiers on the front weren’t responsible for losing the war but the German communists and Jews were.
what was the Reichstag?
Essentially this was the German political cabinet.
what was the enabling act?
the enabling act was passed to allow the Chancellor of Germany to pass any laws without the vote of the Reichstag.
explain how Hitler became chancellor in jan 1933
- Hitler denied the position of Vice chancellor as he wanted to be Chancellor
- by 1932, 6 million people were unemployed and the economy was at an all time low during the great depression
- as the economy worsened, political instability grew and the Nazis won Hitler.
- in November 1932 general election the Nazi party won and Hitler struck a deal with Franz von Papen. If Von Papen could convince Hindenburg to change his mind, Hitler would make Von Papen Vice chancellor.
- Hindenburg agreed with Von Papen as they believed they could control Hitler. Hitler was then appointed in jan 1933
how did the Nazis control Germany
in1933?
1933 -
march: Goebbels sets up the ministry of propaganda
April: Gestapo is set up
may: trade union banned and leaders sent to concentration camp
June: social democrats banned (probably because they were not far enough right)
all of this was to ensure the party could not be challenged by any other groups.
The SS
- formed in 1925 as Hitlers elite bodyguard
- was led by Himmler
- was formed from the ‘Racial Elite’
- was seen as Hitlers and Himmlers private army
whatwas establisehd between 1933-1934 to hold criminals
concentration camps were established to hold criminals of the state
the night of the long knives, why?
Hitlers final threat suprisingly came from in the party from Ernst Rohm and the SA.
The SA was purged because Ernst Rohm as the leader of the SA was a genuine threat to Hitler. Rohm commanded nearly 2 million men.
The SA at the time were becoming out of control and increasingly violent when Hitler was trying to establish a dictatorship using legal methods.
Rohm wanted to merge the SA with the German army. He also favoured a second revolution which would mean more social policies.
overall these factors worries voters and would have had an outcome on the parties votes.
Rohm also had homosexual tendencies which tarnished the party.
the night of the long knives, How?
one night in June 1934 Hitler arranged a meeting with 100 SA officials in a hotel.
The leaders of the SA were arrested by members of the SS and were taken to Munich to be shot.
Hitler used the excuse that the SA and Rohm were planning a revolution to overthrow him.
what happened in August 1934 which led to Hitler becoming Fuhrer
Hindenburg dies and within hours Hitler declares himself Fuhrer.
after the night of the long knives Hitler now had full control of Germany and no one could stop him.
how did Germany use media to control people?
- joseph Goebbels was appointed head of media shortly after Nazis took control in 1933
- in 1933 there were 5000 newspapers in Germany and only 2.4% supported the Nazis. All communist and socialist newspapers were closed down
- every day in berlin the press representatives were given a brief on what news they could and couldnt publish
- the only radio company in Germany at the time was taken over by the Nazis so they could broadcast what they wanted
- short documentary films were made and shown in cinemas
policy towards women
- the ideal women was blonde with blue eyes
- ‘pro natalism’ - a law that was passed in June 1933 which stated: the government granted loans of 1000 marks to any women who was getting married as long as they gave up their job.
For each child they had the loan would be reduced by a quarter. - couples with 6 children or more payed no taxation
- as a result of this birth rate increased by 30% between 1933 - 1936
when was the Hitler youth made compulsory
- 1939
what was the appeal of the Hitler youth?
- the curriculum taught children about the pride of Germany
- gave children a chance for extra curricular activities and sports
- created scout like groups which were very popular
- some Hitler youth were taken into the army which excited some of the children