Nazi control and dictatorship Flashcards
1
Q
What was The Reichstag fire like?
A
- Election called for MArch 1933 by Hitler soon after became chancellor January 1933
- Hitler hoped to gain majority in Reichstag to consilidate position as leader of Germany
- 27th February 1933, Reichstag building set on fire and Dutch communist arrested who ‘confessed’ to crime but many believe NAzi started fire themselves
2
Q
What was the enabaling act like?
A
- Passed by Hitler after not winning majority in reichstag election
- said communist members of Reichstag not allowed to vote
- SA intimidated members as they entered chambber
- Absentees counted as present to make sure bill ratified
3
Q
What was the banning of Nazi opposition like?
A
- all other political parties banned
- ‘co-ordination, control lives of German people
- Any political prisoners sent for re-education at concentration camps
- Hitler broke up federal structure of Germany (different regions having power to govern themselves) they were now controlled by Reich governs loyal to hitler
4
Q
Why did the Nazi’s ban trade union?
A
- claimed that a national community had been created so no longer needed
- strikes banned and Nazi Labour Front set up to oversee wages and working conditions
- Nazi’s gained control over workers
5
Q
What were the causes of the night of long knives?
A
- SA had many left-wing socialist views that conflicted with Nazi ideaologies
- Himmler told Hitler that Rohm was plotting to seize control
- The army were pressuring Hitler to ‘deal’ with Rohm
6
Q
What were the key features of the night of long knives?
A
- Leaders of SA shot by SS (new group set up by Hitler
- Approximately 400 opponents murdered
- Key opponents such as Schleicher, Rohm, and Stasser were arrested/killed
7
Q
What were the consequences of the night of long knives?
A
- secured loyalty of SA due to fear
- wins support of key arms leaders
- opponents removed or too scared to oppose - many into exile
- Shows Hitler use of terror = power
8
Q
What was the threat from the SA?
A
- Tensions between Hitler and Rohm, leader of SA as mainly working class and hoped for a socialist revolution which Hitler was unwilling to do
- Rohm wanted to incorporate army into SA but the Army leaders hated Rohm and were the only group capable of removing Hiter from power so important to keep them happy
- Hitler also faced pressure from Himmler leader of SS to break away from SS
9
Q
Why was the death of Hindenburg important?
A
- Hindenburg detested Hitler and was pro-democracy
- would do everything in his power to stop Germany falling completely into the hands of Hitler
- Hindenburg’s death removed major obstacle
- Hitler absorbed power of President into his Fuhrer position and army swore loyalty to Hitler
10
Q
What was the Role of the Gestapo like?
A
- Gestapo were German secret police set up in 1933 later controlled by Himmler as part of the SS
- Gestapo could arrest and imprison anyone it suspected of opposing the state
- By 1939 over 160,000 people imprisoned by Gestapo
11
Q
What was the role of SS and concentration camps like?
A
- group of over 50,000 men Aryan men totally loyal to Hitler and loyal and wore black
- Responsible for removal of all opposition in Germany
- Oversaw network of concentration camps and work of Gestapo
12
Q
How did Nazi’s control the legal system?
A
- all judges had to be part of National Socialist League
- German lawyers front set up in 1933 and had over 10,000 members
- people’s court established to try cases for treason, judges were loyal Nazi’s and treated accused harshly
- Hitler would alter sentences he thought were too lenient
13
Q
How did Hitler persecute the catholic church?
A
- large threat to Hitler as 1/3 population Catholic
- Hitler signed a concordat agreement, stating Nazi wouldn’t interfere with church if they didn’t interfere with politics
- Hitler broke agreement by harrasing and arresting priests, many sent to concentration camps
- Catholic schools eventually abolished, youth movements and monasteries closed down
14
Q
How did the Nazi’s persecute the protestant church?
A
- tolerated longer than catholic church as some protestants admired Hitler
- Those that opposed him imprisoned or sent to concentration camps
- large protestant opposition group Pastor’s Emergncy leaguea banned and leader, PAstor Martin Niemoller, arrested and sent to camp
15
Q
What was the Ministry of Propaaganda?
A
- Used by Goebells to control thoughts, beliefs and opinions of the German people
16
Q
How did Goebbels control media?
A
- all radio stations uder NAzi control
- Cheap radios mass produced and sold so most Germans had one
- Radios installed in cafes, factories, etc. and loudspeakers in public so everyone heard Nazi messages
17
Q
How was Cinema controlled by Goebbels?
A
- All film trailers had to be approved by Goebbels
- films had to have pro-Nazi tone e.g Aryans falling in love
- PRo-Nazi reels shown before film to further add indoctrination
18
Q
How were posters controlled by Goebbels?
A
- everywhere in Germany
- gave clea, simple messages targetted at audiences
