Nazi Dictatorship 1933-39

Question 1

Why did the reichstag fire occur

Answer 1

Hitler needed to increase nazi party seats in the reichstag to get a majority and be able to pass new laws. If they got a two thirds majority then the nazi party would be able to make changed to the constitution

Question 2

When did the reichstag fire occur

Answer 2

Reichstag Fire and Reichstag election: on 27 February the Reichstag building was set on fire. A Dutch communist, van der Lubbe, was caught red-handed in the burning building. Days later in the election 44 per cent of the population voted for the Nazis, who won 288 seats in the Reichstag – still not an overall majority. Hitler had to join with the nationalists to form a majority.

Question 3

What was the significance of the reichstag fire

Answer 3

Hitler used the fire to claim that communists were a threat to the country. Nazi newspapers used the event as an excuse to publish anti communist conspiracy theories
President Hindenburg issued a decree giving hitler Emergancy powers to deal with the supposed communist threat-many basic rights given to the German people under the Weimar constitution. For example freedom of speech was suspended.
Emergancy powers granted to butler were a turning point. They marked the first step towards converting German to a dictatorship. Hitler justified them by saying that they were nessacary to protect the German people. This meant he faced little opposition from the German public

Question 4

The significance of the reichstag fire (2)

Answer 4

Hitler used these powers to intimidate communist voters. This decree also enabled the SA to round up and imprison nearly 4000 communist voters

Question 5

How did the enabling act make germany a disctatorship

Answer 5

March 1933- the nazi party won 288 seats but didn’t have an overral majority. Hitler simply made the communist party (which had 81 seats) illegal
This gave him enough support in Parliament to bring in the enabling act passed with threats and bargaining in March 1933. Thus let him Govern for 4 years without Parliament

Question 6

How did the enabling act make Germany a dictatorship (2)

Answer 6

Hitler could now pass laws and amend the constitution without reichstag consent. Other chancellors in Weimar government used article 48 to bypass parliament
So new act mayn’t have seemed extreme to some Germans
Enabling act was important step in hitlers consolidations of power. Allowed Hitler to bring controversial legislation into force to strengthen the nazi party’s position

Question 7

What was the significance of the enabling act

Answer 7

Allowed Hitler to eliminate opposition to the nazis
The local government was closed in 31st March 1933 and reorganised with nazi majorities.
Trade unions replaced with German labour front. Many union officials arrested on 2nd may 1933. Trade unions could unite people to protest – therefore the Nazis had got rid of a potential form of opposition. They also destroyed a possible form of sympathy and support for their arch-enemies, the communists.
In may 1933 the SDP and communist party offices and funds taken by nazis. In July 1933 other political parties were banned Banning political parties made Germany a one-party state and destroyed democracy in the country. This removed other parties as a source of opposition.

Question 8

Why was the SA and Rohm a threat to Hitler

Answer 8

Rohm did not like hitlers policies. Rohm was the leader of the SA which was very powerful as it had grown to 2.5 million members and wanted to merge the SA with the army. This scared hitler as of rohm led both the SA and the army this would make him the most powerful man in German

Question 9

How did the NOTLK happen

Answer 9

Hitler decided to rid himself of the threat of Rohm and the SA. He did this by inviting Rohm and 100 SA leaders to a meeting in the town of Bad Wiesseen on 30th June 1934
It was a ruse. When the leaders arrived they were arrested by the SS taken to Munich and shot
After the arrests Von Papens staff were arrested and his home surrounded. Further killings occurred including that of Von Schleicher the army general
It stamped out all potential opposition within the nazi party and sent a powerful message to the party about hitlers ruthlessness and brutality. It also showed that Hitler was now free to act above the law

Question 10

How did the death of president Hindenburg create a disctatorship

Answer 10

In august 1934 president Hindenburg died due to lung cancer. Hitler used the opportunity to combine the posts of chancellor and president and also made himself commander in chief of the army meaning he sustained an inconceiveable quantity of power
He declared himself the Fuhrer. Fuhrer means leader and Hitler used propoganda to establish and portray himself as an omnipotent saviour. The “heil Hitler” nazi salute made people swear loyalty to him personally and was displayed as emulating a deity

Question 11

How did the death of president Hindenburg act as a catalyst for a disctatorship (2)

Answer 11

The army had to swear an oath of allegiance to Hitler specifically instead of pledging to protect Germany. Hitler now had a military force that had to obey his instructions which put all aspects of society under his control . Some German workers were also forced to take an oath of obedience promising loyalty to Hitler. Those who refused could lose their jobs

Question 12

Why did Hitler create a policing state?

Answer 12

By August 1934 Hitler was a dictator with absolute power. In order to maintain this power he needed organisations that could control the population to ensure absolute loyalty to the Führer. After the demise of the SA on the Night of the Long Knives, hitlers policing state, control of the legal system and concentration camps spread a broad spectrum of fear around Germany

Question 13

How did the SS create a policing state

Answer 13

The SS was set up in 1925 as a personal bodyguard for Hitler. From 1929 it was run by Heinrich Himmler.
They expressed complete loyalty to hitler and himmler. It was the SS who warned Hitler about Röhm in 1934 and Hitler used SS officers to murder SA leaders in the NOTLK
during 1930s the SS expanded to 240,000 men and controlled all of the other police and security services. Himmler didn’t believe that the SS were obliged to act within the law so the SS could raid houses and arrest without trial
Himmler was very particular about recruitment. He wanted examples of perfect German manhood; they were expected to marry “racially pure” wives to create “racially pure” Germans for the future. All SS had to be “aryan”-blonde blue eyed and physically fit

Question 14

How did the SD create a policing state

Answer 14

The SD was originally formed in 1931 by Heinrich Himmler head of the SS as a security force of the nazi party to monitor its opponents. He made Reinhard Heydrich it’s leader. The aim of the SD was to find the actual and potential enemies of the nazi party and remove them
The SD kept cars index with details of everyone it suspected of opposing the nazi party or the German government at home or abroad. These weren’t kept at any government building but at brown house the HQ of the nazi party in Munich. They often spied on the police themselves. Positions were filled mostly by intelligent operators like lawyers, professors and economists

Question 15

How did the gestapo create a policing state

Answer 15

Hitlers non uniformed secret police force. Originally set up by goering in 1933 himmler became its leader
Main aim of gestapo was to identify anyone who criticised or opposed the nazi government. Spied on people tapped their phones and used informants to identify suspects. By 1939 160,000 people had been arrested for political offences.
Tapped phones and collected info from informers. Also had permission to use torture when questioning suspects or gaining confession-could arrest anyone without warning

Question 16

How did the gestapo create a policing state (2)

Answer 16

Main weapon of gestapo was fear. Germans particularly feared them since they couldn’t tell them apart from other members of public. Often arrived early in the morning to take suspects away
Offenders could be imprisoned without trial and many families received letters saying their relatives had “died in custody”
“Enemies” of Germany would be sent to SS controlled concentration camps. When knowledge of these camps was discovered it led to further fear. To show how effective this was there were never more than 30,000 gestapo to police a population of 80 million; in some large towns such as Hamburg there were fewer than 50 officers

Question 17

How did concentration camps create a policing state

Answer 17

1939-160,000 people were “under protective arrest” in prisons. Hadn’t committed criminal acts like stealing. Locked up for doing things nazis disproved of like voicing views opposed to Hitler
To cope it’s growing number of people who were arrested new prisons were created run by the special SS units called Deaths Head Units. These called concentration camps. The goal was to confine those deemed to be a political or racial opponent
First nazi concentration camp was opened in Dachau in 1933. Later that year, first camp for women opened in Moringen. Camps located in isolated areas away from cities and the public gaze.

Question 18

How did concentration camps create a policing state (2)

Answer 18

Here the prisoners would do hard work which was backbreaking and pointless like breaking stones or working in quarries. Most underfed and poorly treated. Family of anyone who died would normally get a letter saying they had “died of disease” or “shot trying to escape”. It was fear of these camps who kept people in line

Question 19

How did the nazis control the law courts and judges

Answer 19

Firstly Hitler set up the national socialist league for the maintenance of the law. He insisted all judges must be members
If any judges displeased the nazis they were denied membership. This way Hitler could ensure that all judges would supper there nazi ideologies. Judges weee instructed that in any conflict between the interests of the nazi party and the law the interests of the nazis were more important

Question 20

How did the nazis control the judges and law courts (2)

Answer 20

Next Hitler abolished trial by jury. Judges decided innocence, guilts and punishments. Finally Hitler set up a new peoples court in 1934 to hear all cases of treason-offences against the state.
Judges were handpicked and trials held in secret. People knew they couldn’t get justice here so the best thing to do was to be good and not end up in one. Hitler sometimes imposed sentences himself.
There was no right ti appeal against the verdict of the Peoples court. Between 1934 and 39 534 people were sentenced to death for political offence. Between 1930 and 32 only 8 people had been sentenced in this manner

Question 21

How did the nazis use radios as a tool of propaganda

Answer 21

The nazis wanted to surround people with their propoganda. They used censorship to prevent Germans from seeing or hearing anything that gave a different message
They sold cheap radios and controlled broadcasts. By 1939 approximately 70% of households had a radio which gave the nazis a voice in most peoples homes. Goebbels made sure cheap radios were accessible for all Germans. Loud speakers were also placed in streets and in public homes. Hitlers speeches were constantly broadcast over the radio until people started to believe them. Hitler used this form of propoganda to get across his opinion on how Jews and communists were the biggest cause of germanys problems which indoctrinated people

Question 22

How did nazis use newspapers as propaganda

Answer 22

They were not allowed to print out anti-nazi ideas and if they did they were shut down and the journalists killed or imprisoned. No foreign newspapers were allowed into Germany so very few german people had any idea what was going on in the outside world. Nazi newspapers were displayed in public places where all German citizens could have access to them. Gobbles created the “hitler myth” which made hitler seem like a god and the saviour of Germany. This was the “cult of the führer”. In 1933 only 3% of German daily newspapers were controlled by the nazis. By 1944 this had risen to 82%. As a result there were very few newspapers and the buying of newspapers dropped by 10% during that time

Question 23

How was film, books and music used as propaganda

Answer 23

Goebbels controlled the film industry very closely. All films whether they were action, romance, thrillers or comedies had to support the nazi regime. Each film began with a nazi propaganda film showing the achievements of nazi Germany. No foreign films were allowed
Germans were encouraged to hate the countries that signed the TOV. The nazis said Germany should fight to get back the territory stolen by the treaty
Many German people weren’t impressed by the propaganda films and often came late to the cinema in order to miss them

Question 24

How were films books and music used as propaganda

Answer 24

All non aryan books were burnt in huge bonfires. People were invited to bring their books and throw them in. The most popular books to be burnt were written by Jewish and communist writers. In addition to this books written by authors with physical disabilities were also burnt such as Helen Keller who was blind and deaf. Banned all jazz music which had been very popular all over Europe during the 1920s. Black musicians were considered inferior.

Question 25

How did was propaganda used in the Olympic Games and the rallies

Answer 25

Hitler and goebbels realised they german Olympics was a fantastic opportunity to show the international community the greatness of Germany. Hitler also wanted to show the rest of the world the superiority of the aryan race. Goebbels built a stadium which could hold 100,000 people
When the international guest arrived they were impressed by the size of the stadium, wonderful facilities and organisation. The Germans were impressed with the games and thought it showed Germany as advanced and civilised. However this also backfired
The success of non aryan athletes like african American Jesse Owens who won 4 gold medals undermined hitlers message that the Aryans (white, blonde and blue eyed) were considered physically and mentally superior
Many foreign people weren’t convinced and saw it as blatant propaganda

Question 26

How was propaganda used in the Olympic Games and the rallies (2)

Answer 26

Josef goebbels organised ginormous rallies, marching processions and meetings. These rallies brought colour and excitement in peoples lives and gave them a sense of belonging. The huge rallies also made german people believe that “every other German” supported the nazi party. The annual Nuremberg rallies focused on speeches by leading nazis like hitler. The 1934 Nuremberg rally was recorded by Riefenstahl in her film “triumph of the will”
1 million people attended the 1936 rally. There were displays of lights and flags to greet the arrival of hitler. These made him look more omnipotent to emulate a deity

Question 27

How was propaganda the most effective when reinforcing existing ideas

Answer 27

Many Germans felt angry and humiliated by the TOV so hitlers promises to reverse the treaty and make Germany great again was really popular
After the political weaknesses of the Weimar Republic people found the image of hitler as a strong leader appealing
The Weimar Republic was seen as too liberal by many. They thought standards in Germany had slipped. These people liked the promise of a return to traditional German values
The depression left many German people in poverty. This made them easier to persuade and the nazis promises of help extremely popular

Question 28

How did Hitler want to reduce the church’s power

Answer 28

In the 1930s most Germans were Christian’s and the church was influential
During Weimar Republic the state and church had worked closely together and the church was involved in National matters like education
Some prominent nazis were anti Christian and nazi ideology disagreed with the role the church had traditionally had in society
Hitler thought religion should comply with the state and wanted churches to promote nazi ideals. He was also worried that some members of the church might publicly oppose nazis

Question 29

How was the catholics church persecuted

Answer 29

In July 1933 an agreement called the Concordat was signed between the pope and the nazi government. Hitler promised not to interfere with the Catholic Church of the church agreed to stay out of german politics. The concordat reassured Christian’s that Hitler was consolidating ties with the Catholic Church but he was actually restricting their power
The nazi party started to restrict the cathoics church’s role in education
In 1936 all crucifixes were removed from schools and by 1939 catholic education had been destroyed. Nazis began arresting priests in 1935 and put them on trial. Catholic newspapers were suppressed and the Catholics youth group was disbanded
In 1937 the pope spoke out against Hitler in a letter to Catholic Churches in Germany. The stance of the church had changed but many german Catholics were too scared to speak out.

Question 30

How did the Nazi party control the Protestant church

Answer 30

When Hitler became chancellor in 1933 there were 28 independant Protestant churches. These churches were politically divided-some formed a group known as the “german Christian’s”. They supported hitler and favoured an anti-Semitic version of Christianity
The nazi party backed this version of Christianity and believed all Christians should follow its principals. In 1936 all Protestant churches were merged to form the Reich church

Question 31

What did the Reich church consist of

Answer 31

Was made up of about 2000 Protestant churches
The reich church replaced the symbol of a cross with the Nazi swastika and the bible was replaced by “Mein Kampf”. Only nazis could give sermons and the church suspended non aryan ministers
The reich church was an attempt to increase state control over the Protestant church and make a national socialist version of Christianity

Question 32

What was the church opposition towards the nazis

Answer 32

Martin niemöller was a Protestant pastor and a one time nazi supporter. He objected to nazi interference n the church and was one of the founders of the confessing church.
He was arrested many times for speaking out against the nazis and hitler between 1934 and 1937 and was sent to a concentration camp in 1938 where he stayed until 1945
Another key member of the confessing church was Dietrich Bonhoeffer a Protestant theologian and pastor who opposed the nazis from the beginning. He joined the resistance, helped Jews escape from Germany and planned an assassination of hitler. He was caught and imprisoned then executed weeks before the fall of the nazis

Question 33

How did pastors and priests oppose the nazis.

Answer 33

6000 protestant Pastor joined niemöllers confessional church as a protest against Nazi policy only 2000 remained in the German Christian church
About 800 pastors were arrested and sent to concentration camps
400 catholic priests spoke out ans were arrested and imprisoned in the priests block at Dachau concentration camp

Question 34

How did the Edelweiss pirates oppose the Nazis

Answer 34

The name given to groups of rebellious youths who rejected Nazi values and opposed the hitler youth organisation
They helped army deserters, forced labourers and escaped concentration camp prisoners. By 1939 they had 2000 members and read and listened to banned music and wrote anti nazi graffiti. At first the nazis mostly ignored them but cracked down after they started distributing anti nazi leaflets. Many members were arrested and several publicly hanged

Question 35

How did the swing youth oppose the nazis

Answer 35

The swing youth were groups of young people who rebelled against the tight control the nazis had over culture acting in ways considered “degenerate” by the nazi regime for example listening to American music and drinking alcohol. They were mostly considered a nuisance rather than a threat but some members were arrested and sent to concentration camps
However the motives of the youth opposition groups were cultural rather than political and their number were limited. This didn’t really threaten nazi dominance