nazi dictatorship 1933-1939 Flashcards
Why was there little open opposition to the Nazis?
-the ‘economic miracle’ improved lives
-terror
-no coordination
-abandonment of unpopular policies
What forms did Nazi Opposition come in?
-private grumbling
-underground resistance
-open gov opposition
-attempts to overthrow regime/ Hitler.
What were the groups that opposed the Nazis?
8 groups!
-Social Democrats
-Youth
-Students
-Army
-Trade Unions
-Communists
-Conservatives
-Church
How did Social Democrats oppose Nazi Regime?
Produced anti-Nazi propaganda and kept the socialist message alive
Did the Social Democrats have a big impact as an opposition group? Why/ Why not?
–leaders often arrested
-had some support in industrial areas among working class but overall minimal impact
-biggest concern was self preservation
-leaders often arrested
How did Students oppose Nazi Regime?
-White rose
-Group of uni students that published and distributed pamphlets condemning the Nazi Regime
Did students have a big impact as an opposition group? Why/ Why not?
-Not really
-Leaders Hans and Sophie Scholl were arrested, tortured and executed
How did Trade Unions oppose Nazi Regime?
-carried out strikes in 1935-36 and 1945
Did the Trade Unions have a big impact as an opposition group? Why/ Why not?
-No
-Weakened after arrests in 1933-34
-Ineffectual
How did Youth oppose Nazi Regime?
-did not enjoy the activities of the Hitler Youth (military emphasis) or resented the loss of freedom
-Groups such as the Edelweiss Pirates and Roving Dudes often just behaved in anti-Nazi ways such as playing dance and jazz music.
-Some did attack military targets and assassinate Gestapo officers, but these activities were limited
Did the Youth have a big impact as an opposition group? Why/ Why not?
-Not really:
often just did small things that opposed regime such as played jazz and dance music
-However, some did attack military targets and assassinate Gestapo officers, but these activities were limited
How did the army oppose Nazi Regime?
-After defeat at Stalingrad army support of Hitler declined after opposition developed.
-Some commanders began to plot, and this culminated in the (failed) bomb plot under Stauffenberg
Did the army have a big impact as an opposition group? Why/ Why not?
-slow development due to the Army Oath and early military success
-Bomb plot failed and officers were slow to act, allowing Hitler to regain control.
-Approx 5000 members of the resistance were killed
How did the communists oppose Nazi Regime?
-produced pamphlets attacking the Nazis.
-Red Orchestra, a spy network that sent information to Moscow
Did the communists have a big impact as an opposition group? Why/ Why not?
-Minimal impact
-many had been arrested after Reichstag Fire.
-More concerned with self-preservation.
How did the conservatives oppose the Nazi regime?
Kreisau Circle- officers, aristocrats, academics and churchmen, they drew up plans for post-Nazi Germany
Did the conservatives have a big impact as an opposition group? Why/ Why not?
-No
-Some pacifists in the circle were opposed to a coup.
-Resistance only developed late on
-it was difficult to organize and plan as they feared arrest
How did the Church oppose the Nazi regime?
-Bishop Galen of Munster attacked the policy of euthanasia.
-Most adopted a pragmatic response and preserved religious practices
Did the Church have a big impact as an opposition group? Why/ Why not?
-Not effective opposition as most just tried to protect religious practice and many leaders were sent to camps
-However, they were able to stop T4 from continuing publicly (became an underground operation), this was one of the only public demonstrations of opposition to the regime
What are the reasons that Christianity was a problem for Nazis?
-teachings went against Nazi philosophy of violence, strength and war
-Jesus was Jewish not Aryan, going against racial views
-those with strong religious beliefs were less likely to ‘worship’ Hitler
-most Germans Christian- hard to persecute
Why was the concordat signed?
Catholic church wanted to keep independence
What was the concordat/ what were the terms of it?
-An agreement between the Nazis and the Catholic Church.
-guaranteed religious freedom (as Church able to run itself)
-parents could request faith schools for their children
-Nazis agreed to not interfere with Church legal and property rights
-Church agreed to keep out of politics.
When was the concordat signed?
1933
True or False? By 1935, Nazis had managed to coordinate the Churches, with little opposition
-By 1935 Nazis had failed to coordinate the Churches and there was growing opposition within them
