Nazi Germany Flashcards
1
Q
What groups of people did the Nazis appeal to?
A
- Right-wing nationalists
- Middle class
- Farmers
- Potentially some working class
2
Q
Who originally founded the Nazi party?
A
Anton Drexler founded it in politically unstable Munich after WW1
3
Q
Why did Hitler join the party?
A
He was sent in to report on their activities and became interested in their stance so ended up joining
4
Q
What did the party reform as?
A
The National Socialist German Workers Party- the party programme was drawn up and in 1921 Hitler became leader of the party
5
Q
What were some of the new Nazi ideas?
A
Nationalism- Germany should be strong and all German-speaking people should be united
Radical Ideas- Races were organised into a hierarchy with Aryans at the top
Social Darwinism- The fittest and strongest races survive and the ‘weaker’ races should be eradicated
6
Q
What was the Munich Putsch and what happened?
A
- Hitler launched an attempt to take over the government in November 1923
- Some conservative politicians report to the authorities
- The Putsch was stopped
7
Q
What were the immediate consequences of the Munich Putsch?
A
- Hitler and other conspirators were put on trial
- Hitler found guilty of treason
- Nazis banned in Bavaria
- Nazis weak and in disarray
8
Q
How was the Nazi party reorganised from 1925?
A
- The SS was established
- Hitler established a national network
- Hitler youth established
- Nazi party membershi[ grew from 27,000 to 108,000
9
Q
What happened on 27 February 1933?
A
The Reichstag Fire- The Reichstag building in Berlin was destroyed by fire. A Dutch communist was found at the scene. The Nazis claimed this was the start of a Communist plot to take over Germany even though it appeared he was acting alone. That night 4000 Communist leaders were arrested by the police
and Hitler was granted emergency powers by Hindenburg
10
Q
What was introduced on 5 March?
A
New elections - 50 Nazi opponents killed and more injured. Nazis achieve their best election results yet of 44%
11
Q
What was passed on 24th of March?
A
The Enabling Law- this law passed by 444 votes and Germany was now a dictatorship and all important decisions were being made by Hitler
12
Q
What happened on the 2nd of May?
A
Trade unions were taken over and German Labour Front was created and controlled by the Nazis
13
Q
What happened in July?
A
A law was introduced that banned people from forming new political parties- there was now only one party in Germany
14
Q
What was the night of the long knives (29-30th June)?
A
SA leaders were dragged from their beds and shot dead. The leader of the SA, Ernst Rohm, was also arrested and shot dead. It sent a warning to the rest of Germany about how ruthless Hitler was in his pursuit of power
15
Q
What occurred on the 2nd of August?
A
The death of General Hindenburg- Hitler was now President and Chancellor and therefore the undisputed head of government
16
Q
What happened in August 1933?
A
The army took an oath of personal loyalty to Hitler. Hitler was now supreme commander of the armed forces. All German soldiers swore to obey Hitler and to risk their lives for him at any time
17
Q
What was Fuhrerprinzip?
A
The Nazi ideology that all power and sovereignty (supreme power/authority) is vested in the leader
18
Q
What was the Volksgemeinschaft?
A
The Nazi principle of the ‘people’s community’. The German nation is united. Individuals are expected to obey the Nazi government and make sacrifices for the common good of Germany.
19
Q
With a one-party system, what problems did Hitler solve that were inherent in the Weimar constitution?
A
Election majorities and coalition governments
20
Q
How many laws did the Reichstag pass between 1934 and 1945?
A
Only 7 laws
21
Q
Who made the enforced laws in Nazi Germany?
A
The Nazi government
22
Q
Why did Hitler keep much of the existing bureaucracy of the previous Weimar government? (3)
A
- It had already been cleared of Jews and opponents
- Many government clerks were already Nazis
- Non-Nazi ministers provided a useful level of continuity
23
Q
Give an example of a new organisation Hitler set up
A
The Reich Propaganda Ministry
24
Q
Why was the power of existing political bodies limited?
A
- Not all ministries had the same amount of power
- New organisations operated alongside the old (e.g. the Bureau Ribbentrop operated alongside the foreign ministry and loyal Nazis were entrusted with important missions)
25
How clear-cut were the different responsibilities under the Nazi regime?
Details were very vague. Hitler delayed decision-making to let situations sort themselves out.
26
How was Nazi Germany organised so that people didn't use their initiative or make their own decisions?
At each level of Government from Hitler down there was one person who was clearly in charge. This person had power over everyone else on their level.
27
Did Nazi Germany give the Lander any power?
No- the Nazis wanted a centralised state with a centralised administration. As early as March 1933, the Lander was stripped of many of their powers
28
Who were the Gestapo?
Secret police set up under Hermann Goering in 1933. They were taken over by Himmler's SS in 1936
29
What was autarky?
Economic self-sufficiency without the need to rely on imports in any area of life, from food to petrol to electricity
30
What was ersatz?
substitute or replacement goods
31
What were the aims of Nazi economic policy?
- reduce unemployment
- increase industrial production (steel/iron to begin gearing up for war)
- economic recovery
- self-sufficiency (Autarky)
32
How did the Nazis plan to achieve their economic aims?
- reduce unemployment e.g. autobahn schemes
- ersatz (replacement goods)
- reduce trade with other countries
- helping agriculture
- changing currency
33
What did the Nazis promise in their election campaign?
Speedy economic recovery
34
What economic problem did the Nazis not have to deal with?
No reparations
35
What was agreed at the conference in Lusanne in 1932?
Germany didn't have to pay reparations because the Depression made this impossible
36
What was Hjalmar Schacht's role in the Nazi government?
He was the President of the Reichsbank
37
What economic problem did the Nazis still face?
They still had to pay the government debt
38
What were the key elements of Schacht's New Plan?
- Making trade treaties with other countries
| - Exchanging goods rather than paying for imports
39
What was the economic situation in 1936
- Unemployment had fallen to 1.5 million
- Germany was more self-sufficient
- production had increased
BUT
- need for raw materials and food
- balance of payments- importing more than exporting (foreign debt)
40
How did Goering deal with these economic problems?
Introduced the 2nd 4 year plan
41
Who was in charge of the Second Four Year Plan?
Hermann Goering
42
What is a command economy?
Where the state, not business or agriculture, decides what and how much to produce
43
Name some examples of departments of FYP
- raw materials production
- agricultural production
- distribution
- labour
- prices
- foreign exchange
44
Why were the aims/ objectives of the Four Year Plan?
- Autarky
| - Preparing for war
45
Name 4 examples of ersatz products
- Ersatzbrot
- Margarine
- Buna (rubber)
- Synthetic petrol
46
What was the "Guns or butter" debate?
Spending money on guns vs spending money on food
47
What had the Nazis promised during the election?
'Work and bread'
48
What did the Nazis aim to 're-educate' people about?
To consume less, especially less meat and fat to be patriotic
49
What is the evidence of the success of the FYP?
- 18-300 thousand of tonnes of explosives
- Germany was importing less
- production of key materials
- jam consumption trebled between 1928 and 1938
50
What is the evidence of the failures of the FYP?
- still importing a third of raw materials
- arms production never satisfactory
- fell short of targets in oil and rubber
- Nazis were unpopular with several groups e.g. big industrialists and manufacturers which resented Nazi levels of control
51
Why was morale high between 1939-42 (3 reasons)?
1. Meat remained at 500g a week until April 1942
2. There were early victories in Poland, Norway, Denmark, Luxembourg, Belgium and France
3. Propaganda may have had an impact
52
Why did morale increasingly decrease after 1942 (5 reasons)?
1. Difficult working conditions
2. Increasing food shortages (clothing, footwear and luxury goods were in short supply)
3. Allied bombing of German cities weakened morale
4. Soviet advance from 1943 (fear of Russian invasion)
5. Failure of the V1 and V2
53
In total how many people did Allied bombing kill?
305,000
54
In total how many homes did Allied bombing destroy?
2 million German homes
55
Why was the Office of the Four Year Plan not managing war production well?
- several organisations involved
- competing departments with individual interests
- less skilled Nazi officials given power
- too many resources given to air force
56
Who was the Minister for Armaments and Munitions from February 1940?
Fritz Todt
57
What did Hitler's memorandum in December 1941 outline for the armaments industry?
A policy of rationalising needs, updating factories and equipment to produce efficient weapons as efficiently as possible and reduce demands
58
Who replaced Todt as Armaments Minister and what did he convince Hitler to do?
Albert Speer convinced Hitler that the armaments minister needed to be in full charge
59
What did Hitler's decree of April 22, 1942, outline?
Set up the Central Planning Board to distribute raw materials, decide whether to build or extend a factory and organise transportation
60
What changes did the Central Planning Board make?
Closed smaller factories, factory machinery was standardised, factories were adapted to the most efficient mass production methods
61
Name three reasons why the economy was overstretched in 1945
- Allied bombing wiped out factories, mines, towns, transport links
- Loss of land that had provided raw materials
- Sabotage by foreign workers
62
What is the evidence that the Nazi war economy was effective?
- german military spending doubled between 1939-41
- Increased the labour force by recruiting women, using concentration camp prisoners and preventing conscription of skilled workers
- Industry directed to increase productivity
- Ammunition production rose by 97%
- munitions productivity per worker increased by 60%
63
What is the evidence that the Nazi war economy was ineffective?
-Germany's air force had only increased by about 2,000
-The war economy was not effectively co-ordinated and some local party bosses acted against the interests of economic efficiency
-Shortages of raw materials such as coal and oil was a problem
-Labour shortages
-Stalin's scorches earth policy hindered the Nazis
Allied bombing destroyed factories
64
How did industrial workers benefit under the Nazis?
- Unemployment fell and wages increased
| - The 'Strength Through Joy' programme gave loans, medical care and extra food for 'suitable mothers'
65
How did industrial workers suffer under the Nazis?
- Many of the new jobs created were badly paid and the rise in wages was due to long hours worked
- Living standards were falling and workers were eating rye bread and potatoes
- Trade unions were abolished so workers complained about poor housing and low wages
66
How did farmers benefit under the Nazis?
- Farmers income increased by 41%
| - Demand for farm products increased
67
How did farmers suffer under the Nazis?
- German agriculture remained dependent on imports
- The Reich Entail Farm Law, 1933 meant that more efficient agriculture was held back as farmers could not borrow money to expand or modernise
68
How did the middle-class benefit under the Nazis?
Small businesses benefited as sub-contractors for arms companies. Many could also buy up Jewish rivals' companies cheaply as part of the 'Aryanisation' programme
69
How did the middle-class suffer under the Nazis?
- The middle class resented the higher taxes, compulsory donations and shortages of raw materials and labour
- Large businesses were still doing well
70
How did 'undesirables' suffer under the Nazis?
- 1939: doctors and nurses had to report any babies or children under three that showed signs of physical or mental disability
- October 1939: T4 campaign begins to get rid of disabled children
- Over 700,000 people died under this programme
- Between 1936-40, 78 families that were 'asocial' were sent to be re-educated in a housing estate
71
What did the Nazis do to solve unemployment?
- created work and encouraged businesses to offer temporary work for the long-term unemployed
- Reich Labour Service set up schemes for unemployed men and women
- road-building schemes created work and improved communications
72
How successful were the Nazis in solving unemployment?
-In 1930 14% of the workforce was unemployed. By 1936, 7.4% were unemployed
However, statistics were manipulated as Jews were banned from many occupations and women were not included in the statistics
73
What did the Nazis do to solve the problem of agriculture?
- increased import tariffs on agricultural produce, making German produce cheaper
- banned banks repossessing farms from farmers in debt to keep them farming
- made margarine manufacturers put butter from German farmers
- Reich Food Estate regulated food production, prices and farm wages
74
How successful were the Nazis in solving the problem of agriculture?
-In 1928 German farmers provided 68% of farm produce and they provided 80% by 1934
However, not everyone welcomed government control of food prices and production
75
What did the Nazis do to solve the problem of business?
- introduced measures to help small businesses who had tended to support Hitler. Nazi propaganda discouraged department stores
- trade unions banned. the German Labour Front (DAF)became the largest Nazi organisation in the Third Reich (overcame the problem of strikes and loss of working days)
76
How successful were the Nazis in solving the problem of business?
-large businesses which were dependent on exports suffered
-new department stores prevented from being built
However, the DAF made it possible for big businesses to exploit workers- working week extended from 43 hours to 47 hours
77
How did the Nazis solve the problem of international trade?
-Schacht's New Plan involved exchanging goods rather than money for imports with some countries (Hungary, Yugoslavia) which made trade initially improve
78
How successful were the Nazis in solving the problem of international trade?
- trade initially improved but by 1935 trading partners were demanding money
- imports of raw materials and food continued (autarky had not been achieved yet)
79
What evidence is there that Hitler agreed to the policy of the Final Solution?
- anti-semitism was fundamental to Hitler's worldviews
| - in a meeting in December 1941, Hitler ordered that Jews should be "exterminated as partisans"
80
How else can the Final Solution be explained?
1. Chaotic decision making encouraged local initiatives
2. Cumulative radicalism
3. Einsatzgruppen were told to eliminate opponents of the Nazis which led to massacres of Jews
81
How was the Final Solution made easier?
- Jews were forced into overcrowded ghettos and the problem got worse as more Jews were deported into ghettos
- Fighting on the Eastern Front was very brutal and made it easier to consider extreme action
- Einsatzgruppen were already mass murdering Jews in the USSR
82
Who were the Einsatzgruppen?
SS units responsible for rounding up and murdering Jews
83
What was eugenics?
Racist pseudoscience determined to wipe away all human beings deemed "unfit"
84
What was the Wannsee Conference?
Conference held in 1942 at which the Final Solution of Jews in Europe was agreed
85
How did the Nazis treat political enemies?
150,000 left-wing enemies of the Nazis were imprisoned during 1933-45
86
How did the Nazis treat Gypsies?
They were first to be murdered- when WW2 broke out they were deported to Poland
87
How did the Nazis treat disabled people?
The Law for the Protection of Hereditarily Diseased Offspring permitted the compulsory sterilisation of those who had hereditary conditions. Aktion T4 scheme launched in 1939 in which disabled children were murdered
88
How did the Nazis treat homosexuals?
Persecuted because they were viewed as resisting the Nazi desire for all Aryans to breed. Approximately 15,000 men were imprisoned in concentration camps
89
How did the Nazis treat asocials?
People who didn't conform to Nazi social ideals e.g. alcoholics, the homeless were imprisoned in concentration camps
90
What happened on Jan 30, 1933?
Hitler appointed Chancellor and imposes a national boycott of Jewish businesses
91
Which laws were passed in 1935?
Nuremberg Laws
1. Reich Citizenship Test- Jews are no longer German citizens
2. The Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honour- forbids marriage between Jews and Germans
92
What happened in July 1938?
The Evian conference- world leaders refuse to accept more Jewish refugees
93
What happened on Nov. 9, 1938?
Kristallnacht- a government permitted attack on Jews in Germany and Austria. Jewish homes, businesses and synagogues were vandalised and burned.
94
What occurs on Sept 1, 1939?
Germany invades Poland.
95
What were Polish Jews forced into?
Ghettos- areas of the city that were surrounded by a wall and only meant for Jews
96
What was built in April 1940?
Auschwitz- the first and most significant of the 6 death camps built by the Nazis
97
What did Hitler create in May 1941?
The Einsatzgruppen- these squads were given orders to follow the German army into Russia and shoot all Jews and communists
98
What happened on Jan 20, 1942?
Senior German officials meet to discuss the "final solution" for the Jewish problem
99
What were the Nazi aims in regards to culture?
- Indoctrinating population
- Anti-semitism
- Militarism
- Nationalism and the glory of the Aryan race
- Cult of the Fuhrer
- Anti-modernism
- Reichskulturkammer (to control all of the creative arts)
100
How did music change in Nazi Germany?
- survived reasonably well
- Bach and Beethoven proudly exploited
- Jewish composers like Mahler and Mendelssohn banned
- New genres of Jazz and dance-band labelled 'Negroid' and 'decadent'
101
How did sports change in Nazi Germany?
- Sport encouraged to produce a healthy nation
- Artists encouraged to produce art that showed strong, healthy Aryans
- 1936 Olympics: opportunity to show off German sporting abilities (Germany won 89 medals)
102
How did literature change in Nazi Germany?
- 2500 writers left e.g. Thomas Mann, Bertolt Brecht and Erich Maria Remarque
- Actors tended to content themselves with classic productions e.g. Schiller, Goethe, Shakespeare
- Writers replaced by a less literary group who sympathised/accepted the regime
103
How did art and design change in Nazi Germany?
- Visual arts effectively limited
- Modern schools of art held in total contempt
- New functionalism artists (Georg Grosz, Otto Dix) censored
- Bauhaus style censored
- Modern style of art resented by Nazism- two contrasting art exhibitions launched, 'Degenerate Art' and 'Great German art'
- Arno Breker and Albert Speer admired
104
How did cinema change in Nazi Germany?
- Film studios were in the hands of nationalist sympathisers
- Jewish actors and directors e.g. Fritz Lang removed
- Films used as propaganda e.g. The Eternal Jew, Olympia
105
How did the Nazis censor unacceptable culture?
- Mass burning of 25,000 books that were "unsound"
- Art, music and theatre were censored- anything by unacceptable people of an unacceptable style with an unacceptable message
106
What were the aims of Nazi education policies?
- Indoctrination
- Nationalism
- Social Darwinism
- Building up Hitler, Nazi ideology
- Prepare for future roles (girls- motherhood, boys-future soldiers)
107
In terms of the structure of the education system, what changed in Nazi Germany?
- The Lander lost control of education and there was a centralised control of education
- Confessional schools abolished
- 1933: Separate secondary education for boys and girls
- 1933: National Political Education Institutions opened to train groups of boys for the armed forces
- 1937: Adolf Hitler Schools set up for students selected by local German Young Folkf branch
- Castles of the Order: 3 elite boarding schools to train boys for entry into government service
108
In terms of the structure of the education system, what stayed the same in Nazi Germany?
- Compulsory education (6-14 years)
- State school structure remained
- Fee-paying secondary schools and universities remained
109
In terms of the role of teachers, what changed in Nazi Germany?
- National Socialist League established in 1929- 95% of teachers joined as it was impossible to get a job if you were not a member
- "Undesirable" teachers purged by law in April 1933
- Reduced respect for teachers
- Fuhrerprinzip was introduced in schools and universities
110
In terms of the role of teachers, what remained the same in Nazi Germany?
There was always a right-wing feel to teaching
111
In terms of the students and the curriculum, what changed in Nazi Germany?
- The curriculum was determined by the central government
- Greater emphasis on physical fitness, racial purity, history and health biology
- Stereotyped roles
- Students completed Labour Service and military training for a number of weeks of the year
- Censored textbooks: schools used as vehicles for communicating Nazi ideology
- Jewish children forced out of German schools to attend Jewish schools
112
In terms of activities outside school what changed in Nazi Germany?
- The Hitler Youth movement was set up with separate groups for boys and girls
- Boys: pimpfen, jungvolk, Hitler jugend
- Girls: jungmadel, bund deutsches madel, glaube und schoneit
- These organisations aimed to reinforce messages taught at school
- Members of the Hitler Youth were expected to report on anything their teachers of family did that went against Nazi values
113
What were the main Nazi aims for women?
- Importance of motherhood - having many children
- Indoctrination -loyalty to the Fuhrer
- Family values + marriage (although divorce was encouraged in some circumstances)
- Anti-intellectual
- Physically strong
- Separate spheres
- Racially pure Germany - sterilisation of non-Aryans
- Reducing unemployment by taking women off the employment register
114
What was the Nazi aim for women in terms of education? How did they achieve this?
The aim was to reduce the amount of career-orientated and educated women
To achieve this the Nazis limited university enrolment of women to 10%. This led to the decline in the number of women attending University (from 18000 to approximately 5000)
115
What was the Nazi aim for women in terms of family? How did they achieve this?
The aim was to increase the birth rate and emphasise the importance of motherhood
To achieve this the Nazis introduced key measures:
-Financial Incentives (interest-free marriage loans for couples who were fir, racially pure and if the woman was going to give up work). The repayment was reduced by 25% for each child
-25,000 mother and child centres were established
-1935: Fitness-to-marry certificates were granted to prove a couple's health and racial purity
-Under the Nuremburg Laws, marriages between Jews and Aryans were banned
-Lebensborn programme: Selected SS men were chosen to mate with young women
-1938: Divorce law extended to include divorce on the grounds of abortion, infertility or refusal to have a baby
-Mother's Cross: women awarded gold, silver or bronze crosses depending on how many children they had
116
What was the Nazi aim for women in terms of women's organisations? How did they achieve this?
The aim was to give women a space that was separate from the main Nazi politics and give them a chance to get involved in public life
To achieve this three organisations were formed:
-The German Women's Enterprise: the umbrella organisation for women's groups in Germany
-National Socialist Womanhood: an elite party group which pushed Nazi ideals among women
-Reich Mother's Service and other groups: Organised courses for young and expectant mothers
117
What was the Nazi aim for women in terms of employment? How did they achieve this?
The aim was to reduce employment of women so more women would return to the home
This was achieved by:
-The Law to Reduce Unemployment: Women in top levels of Civil Service and medical jobs were dismissed
-In 1936, women were excluded from working in the law and judiciary
-In 1937, due to increasing war goods production women could work and still be awarded the marriage loan
-Female teachers could only work at the lowest level of schools
118
What changed in terms of women's employment during the war?
Due to labour shortages women were encouraged to work again
119
By 1934, how many women had left their jobs?
360,000
120
By 1939, what proportion of German women between the ages of 15 and 40 were in regular employment?
Over half
121
How many women were working in industry in 1938 compared to 1933?
Increased from 1.21 million to 1.85 million
122
Between 1933 and 1944, by how much did the percentage of female doctors rise?
From 6.5% to 17%
123
How much of the agricultural workforce did women make up in 1939 and then 1944?
- 36.6% in 1939
| - 65.5% in 1944
124
How many extra women were recruited by the end of the war?
400,000
125
By 1937, how many women had been sterilised?
95,000
126
What was the increase in marriage rates from 1932 to 1934?
From 516,000 to 740,000
127
Who was the leader of the National Socialist League?
Gertrud Scholtz-Klink. She spoke against the participation of women in politics
128
How many women worked full-time for the National Socialist League?
3500 women
129
Name the main sources of opposition to the Nazis (5)
- Communists
- Other political parties
- The Army
- Hindenburg
- Minority groups
130
Why did communists oppose the Nazis?
They had very different political beliefs to the Nazis and opposed their right-wing views
131
Why did other political parties oppose the Nazis?
The Reichstag was made up of a wide range of parties, some of whom were socialist and others were conservative. Some parties were loyal to the Church
132
Why did the army oppose the Nazis?
Opposed to the power possessed by the SA, who they considered to be ill-disciplined. They wished to be the sole protector of Germany
133
Why did Hindenburg oppose the Nazis?
Was opposed to the Nazi's use of violence and threat to democracy, but knew Hitler had a lot of influential support
134
Why did minority groups oppose the Nazis?
The Nazis opposed groups of people who they considered to not fit their Aryan ideals. This included people of different nationality, race and sexual orientation
135
What is the spectrum of resistance?
Active resistance- dissent- indifference-sympathy-support
136
What does active resistance involve?
- Overthrow
- Strike
- Open opposition
- Violent (beating SA)
- Non violent (protests, leaflets, sabotage)
137
What does dissent involve?
- Non-conformity
- Grumbling
- Not adhering to Nazi ideals
138
Why did communists oppose Hiter and how did they express their opposition?
- Opposed on principle, their party had been banned and their members interned
- They printed pamphlets and posters, carried out minor acts of sabotage and spying (Red Orchestra)
139
How did the Nazis react to communist opposition?
- Gestapo rounded them up
| - They were interned/executed
140
Why did the White Rose (Hans and Sophie Scholl) oppose the Nazis and how did they express this?
- They opposed on principle- they wanted peace
| - They printed pamphlets about Nazi crimes at Munich University
141
How did the Nazis react to the White Rose?
-The Gestapo closed in and the 6 leaders were arrested, tortured and executed
142
Why did the Conservative elites (Army) oppose Hitler and how did they express this?
- Opposed due to disillusionment (some realised he was too extreme and that they were losing the war)
- Opposed on principle- Christian values
- July bomb plot- a bomb was placed in Hitler's briefing room but the briefcase was moved
- Von Stauffenberg
- Kreisau Circle
143
How did the Nazis react to the Conservative elites?
Stauffenberg was shot at midnight by a firing squad
144
Why did the youth oppose Hitler and how did they express this?
- Opposed due to disillusionment and they were alienated by the Hitler Youth
- Swing youth- music and imagery associated with Western dance bands
- Edelweiss Pirates came into conflict with officials and killed a Gestapo leader in Cologne
145
How did the Nazis react to youth opposition?
- In 1942, clubs were raided and participants were taken off to camps with beatings and forced labour
- Twelve members of Edelweiss Pirates were publically hanged
146
Why did Christians oppose the Nazis and how did they express this?
- On principle - stood up for their religious beliefs
- Niemoller joined a Church group that opposed the Nazification of the German Protestant Churches. Criticised Nazis in sermons and in poetry.
- 1937: Pope condemns Nazi ideals
- Galen attacked euthanasia programme
147
How did the Nazis react to Christian opposition?
- 40% of the Catholic clergy and 50% of the Protestant pastors were harassed by Nazis
- Bonhoeffer put into a concentration camp
148
Why did workers oppose the Nazis and how did they express this?
- Opposed due to economic reasons
| - Number of strikes in the years 1935-6
149
How did the Nazis react to worker opposition?
-Strikes were banned
150
What percentage of the population voted in favour of the remilitarisation of the Rhineland in 1936?
99%
151
What percentage of the population endorsed Hitler taking over Hindenburg's powers on his death?
90%
152
What were the 4 main reasons for why the Nazi regime survived 1933-1945?
- Propaganda
- Establishment of a terror state
- Favourable social, economic and foreign policies
- Policies which attract supporters
153
What forms of propaganda did the Nazis use?
- Radio: By 1939, 70% of German homes had a radio, The Reich Radio Company was established
- Newspapers: Reich Association compiled a list of "accredited" journalists, In 1932 there were 59 Nazi newspapers with over 780,000 readers
154
How did the Nazis establish a terror state?
- Heinrich Himmler and the SS: The SS ran concentration camps, responsible for creating a "New Order" in occupied territories outside of Germany
- The Courts: Established the People's Courts tried people accused of being traitors, judges who did not carry out government wishes were removed
- The Gestapo: secret state police, role was to find Nazi opponents and arrest them, reputation for brutality, could arrest and detain someone without trial
- Concentration camps: prisons where opponents of the regime were subjected to torture, 20,000 camps were established
155
What were some of the favourable social, economic and foreign policies the Nazis implemented?
- Diplomatic success: militarisation, reoccupying the Rhineland, Anschluss
- Social opportunities and rewards: mother's awarded with the Mother's cross, workers awarded with free cars and holidays through the Strength Through Joy programme
- Revival of the economy: unemployment fell considerably and standards of living improved
156
What were the Nazi policies that attracted supporters?
- Wealthy Industrialists: benefitted from the banning of the communist party and trade unions
- The Mittelstand: small businesses benefitted from the banning of big department stores and low interest rate loans
- Agricultural workers: Nazi regime idealised peasants and farmers. Farmers income increased by 41%. The Reich Food Estate regulated food production and distribution
- Nazi sympathisers: The Nazis were popular with people whose prejudices they shared
157
How did the establishment of a terror state ensure the survival of the Nazi regime?
Opposition was eliminated with the use of concentration camps and ordinary people were too scared to speak against the Nazis due to the Gestapo
158
How did propaganda ensure the survival of the Nazi regime?
People began to believe the messages that were constantly displayed to them and therefore were much less likely to oppose Nazis when they started to take more drastic measures like concentration camps
159
How did general support for the Nazi regime ensure the survival of the Nazi regime?
If you increase the general support people are less likely to oppose the regime. Some degree of consensus from the public
160
How did favourable social, economic and foreign policies ensure the survival of the Nazi regime?
Favourable and tailored social, economic and foreign policy enhanced the general support for the Nazi regime
