Nazi Germany 1933-39 Flashcards
Why was Hitler limited in his power as chancellor?
Hindenburg still had presidential powers, only a third of the Reichstag were Nazis, the cabinet of 12 only had 2 other Nazis, the Weimar Constitution set limits on the Chancellor
When was the Reichstag fire?
27th February 1933
Who was blamed for the Reichstag fire?
Van der Lubbe, a Dutch Communist
What happened on the 5th March 1933?
General election was held
Why was Hitler disappointed in the 1933 election results?
Nazis did not gain a two-thirds majority
What was passed on the 24th March 1933?
Enabling Act
What did the Enabling Act do?
Allow Hitler to make laws and sign foreign treaties without the approval of the Reichstag. Marked an end to democracy in Germany
What did Hitler do to local government in 1934?
Abolish state parliament
What did Hitler do to Trade Unions in 1933?
Broke into their offices and arrested their leaders, forced workers to join German Workers’ Front
What law did Hitler pass in 1933 regarding other political parties?
Banned all of them except the Nazi Party
When was the Night of the Long Knives?
1934
How many SA officers were arrested?
200
What benefit did Hitler gain from Night of the Long Knives?
He had total loyalty from the army as they swore a personal oath. All his opponents would fear him.
What did Hitler become when Hindenburg died?
Declared himself Fuhrer
What does does a totalitarian rule mean?
Hitler would have control over all aspects of people’s lives
Identify 4 areas of the police state
The SS, Concentration camps, The Gestapo, Informers
What was set up to censor literature?
The Ministry of Propaganda
What happened to books that showed ‘un-German’ views?
They were burned
What were the 4 key messages of Nazi propaganda?
1.Supremacy of the Aryan Race 2. Evils of communism 3.Roles of men and women and importance of family 4.Citizens had a duty to suffer for the good of a nation
What event was held in 1936 in Berlin?
Olympics
What did the Nazis see education as?
An opportunity to indoctrinate young people to ensure they grew up to be loyal Nazis.
What was ‘Race Studies’?
A new subject which taught young people Aryans were superior and that Jews were the lowest racial type.
Name the youth groups for boys and girls aged 14-18.
Hitler Youth for boys and League of German Maidens for girls
Which organisation trained women in household skills?
The German Women’s Enterprise
What was set up to help young Germans marry?
Law for Encouragement of Marriage- it provided loans, only if women gave up work
How were women awarded for having large families?
They were given medals- Gold for 8 children, Silver for 6 and Bronze for 5
What as the concordat agreement in 1933?
An agreement between the Church and the Nazis stating they would not get involved in each others affairs
Identify 5 ways the Nazis reacted to the Catholic Church
- Made the Catholic League youth group illegal. 2.Funding was cut. 3.Gestapo and the SS began to spy 4.Church schools were closed. 5.Catholic priests who spoke out were arrested
What did the term was used for sub-humans or inferior humans?
Untermenschen
Approximately, what percentage of Germany was Jewish?
1%
What laws oppressed the Jewish population and when were they introduced
Nuremberg Laws in 1935
What was the name of event which terrorised Jews in November 1938?
Kristallnacht- the Night of Broken Glass
What is autarky?
The economic plan to make Germany self-sufficient
What was the aim of the 4 Year Plan and when was it introduced?
In 1936, led by Goering, the aim was to make Germany self-sufficient in oil, steel and rubber so it was ready for war
Was autarky successful?
By 1939 the government had a debt of 40 billion, frequent food shortages and rationing had to be introduced.
What 2 public work programmes were set up to help employment?
Autobahns and the Olympic Stadium
Which groups made up ‘invisible unemployment?’
Women, Jews, people in temporary employment such as agricultural workers, National Labour Service (RAD)
What 2 programmes did the German Labour Front (DAF) set up to improve workers’ lives?
Strength Through Joy (KDF) and Beauty of Labour (SDA)
What was the purpose of strength through joy?
Run activities for workers in their leisure time.
What was the purpose of Beauty of Labour (SDA)
Improve working conditions.
