Nazi Germany Flashcards
The establishment of the Nazi dictatorship and its domestic policies 1933-1939
<p>When was the Appeal to German Nation speech? </p>
<p>31st January 1933 (the day after his chancellorship)</p>
<p>What important events occurred in February 1933 for the Nazi rise to power?</p>
<p>Meeting with leading industrialists, gaining more money and power
The Reichstag fire which caused Hitler to issue an Emergency decree
</p>
<p>What important events occurred in March 1933 for the Nazi rise to power?</p>
<p>The nazis gained 43.9% / 288 seats of the vote in the election. Had a coalition with DNVP which gained majority
Day of Potsdam
Enabling Act </p>
<p>What was the Enabling act created for?</p>
<p>Gleichschaltung</p>
<p>When was the Law of Restoration of Professional Civil Service issued and whats were the aims?</p>
<p>April 1933. To purge of 'alien elements' of the Civil service. 5% were removed (Jews and political opposition)</p>
<p>When was the Concordat issued?</p>
<p>July 1933. Between the state and Vatican (so the government would protect religious freedom if the Church was banned from political activity)</p>
<p>When was Night of the Long Knives?</p>
<p>30th June 1934</p>
<p>When was the death of Hindenburg?</p>
<p>August 1934</p>
<p>When did the army take oath of personal loyalty to Hitler?</p>
<p>August 1934</p>
<p>In 1934, what percentage of the population supported Hitler as the Fuhrer?</p>
<p>90%</p>
<p>What was the significance of the Emergency decree?</p>
<p>Article 48 was issued by Hindenburg
Suspended constitutional civil rights
Secret police had the power to hold people in protective custody.
Used to repress the KPD
Remained in force throughout the Third Reich</p>
<p>What was the New Ministry for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, and when was it established?</p>
<p>Established in March 1933, Goebbels is the head and exercised controlling the media. </p>
<p>When was the One Day Boycott trialled?</p>
<p>April 1933 - boycotting Jewish shops </p>
<p>How long was the Enabling Act supposed to last?</p>
<p>4 years</p>
<p>What were the voting results in Reichstag after offering the Enabling Act?</p>
<p>Needed 2/3 majority. received 441/94 (which the SPD were the only ones who disagreed and the KPD were already banned). </p>
<p>What was May Day redefined as?</p>
<p>'The Day of National Labour'</p>
<p>When were trade union offices seized?</p>
<p>2nd May 1933</p>
<p>When was the Formation of new parties banned and what did this mean?</p>
<p>June 1933. KPD and SPD were banned. Other parties dissolved themselves and Germany became a one party state</p>
<p>When was the Employment Law/ Public Works Scheme issued?</p>
<p>June 1933</p>
<p>When was Reichstag dissolved?</p>
<p>October 1933</p>
<p>When was the 'Reconstruction of the State' and what happened? </p>
<p>January 1934. Local government was overthrown by the SA violence. The government appointed commissioners and new laws were formalised. </p>
<p>When did Hitler merge government offices of Chancellor and President as Fuhrer and Reich Chancellor?</p>
<p>August 1934</p>
<p>What was the significance of the Enabling Act?</p>
<p>ZP were assured at the Appeal of German People
Helped Hitler rise to power
SA and SS intimidated Reichstag- surrounding the building
Weimar was officially demolished and dictatorship was revived</p>
<p>When was SPD and KPD banned?</p>
<p>KPD = February 1933 SPD= June 1933</p>
What was the significance of meeting with industrialists in Feb 1933?
Gained 2 million Reichs from reassuring the industrialists.
<p>What did the Reichstag Fire and Emergency Decrees passing mean for Germany?</p>
<p>Suspended all articles that guaranteed personal liberty, freedom of speech, press and assembly.
Police were empowered to imprison without trial and even issue the death penalty
Banned meetings and closed newspapers
Rounded up political opponents and sent them to concentration camps </p>
What is the limitation of the Enabling Act for the Nazis?
Formed a fragile legal base for the Nazis. Provided a short term windfall to tighten control.
What was the conflict of Ernst Rohm for Hitler?
He wanted to continue the revolution by reducing the power of big businesses and control the army out of anti-capitalism. But Hitler differed and wanted to reassure the elites and the army to increase support. He, therefore, had to destroy SA
What was important about the SA in rise to power?
Helped bring Hitler power and fight against Communists. Very Powerful with 2 million members - larger than the army. But they wanted more power and Rohm argued a lot with Hitler
What was significant about the Army in the Nazis rise to power?
Army leadership supported by big businesses.
Important to gain control, but only 100,000 and were suspicious of Nazis aims because of the SA.
<p>The significance of the Night of the Long Knives?</p>
<p>Most dramatic and significant single event of Hitlers supremacy
Blood Bath- estimated 1000 victims, which Hitler took full responsibility for and defended their actions.
The main members of the victims were who the elites feared- showing that Hitler prioritised the elites over the SA </p>
<p>How did Hitler get away with Night of the Long Knives?</p>
<p>Community seemed grateful
Willing to forgive out of gratitude for the recent Public Works Scheme and decreasing unemployment
People feared Himmler and the SS
Spinned to be a seen as a self defence</p>
<p>What developments occurred after the Night of Long Knives?</p>
<p>Major developments in dictatorship
Weakened army rivals and retained monopoly of armed forces
The army took an oath of personal loyalty- chaining themselves to the fuhrer
SS made real gains in its independency</p>
What was the state of the Fuhrer system for the people below Hitler?
No need for formal power as Hitler was the law/absolute - policies could only pass through Hitler and/or his plenipotentiaries and had to fit his Weltanschauung
Rivalry of different groups- growing lawlessness and brutality- solved without formal control and fragmentation of the government.
Overlapping agencies
What did confusion cause under working towards the Fuhrer?
Caused corrupt laws based on extreme interpretations and initiative of Hitlers Weltanschauung. For example, social darwinism caused Kristallnacht
<p>What was the stability of working towards the Fuhrer like?</p>
<p>self destructive- unable to stabilise. There was an illusion of order from chaos.</p>
What happened to the Reichstag and Cabinet during the Third Reich?
They were dissolved. Reichstag rarely met and was used as an applause machine for Nazis.
<p>What happened to the Reich Chancellory under the Third Reich?</p>
<p>Coordinated to respond to new legislations. In charge of paper work and letters</p>
<p>What was Lammers role under the Third Reich?</p>
<p>Major impact on the flow of information to Hitler</p>
What happened to the Civil Service by 1939?
They all had to be members of the Nazi party
Lost influence
<p>What happened to the Courts and Judges during the Third Reich?</p>
<p>The Judges were careerists, having to adapt to act from public feeling, interpret laws of the Nazi values and needs for the nation. </p>
<p>What happened to the Foreign office under the Third Reich?</p>
<p>Had to be Nazi members to gain Nazi sympathy from other countries.</p>
What happened to the army under the Third Reich?
They co-operated but the commander of the Armys power was the last potential instrument of conservative power to overtake. But this was fragile
<p>What was the role of the Gau like under the Fuhrerprenzip?</p>
<p>Fuhrerprenzip was dominated by the Gau- believing in allegiance with Hitler. Endeavoured to preserve their own interests and tended to resist authorities of the state and party </p>
What are the fundamental methods and ideas of propaganda?
To create a day to day image of a positive, ideal world.
Swastika created a sense of unity and Volksgemeinschaft
Rally clips shown of ordered rows in cinema to show order and structure
Indoctrination through starting young with Hitler Youth
Propaganda became the sharpest weapon
What is the Hitler Myth?
Brought out the emotional appeal from Goebbels. Hitler personified the nation, viewed as popular, defender against the enemies and responsible for major successes
Satisfied public emotional need for a secure and strong leader and covered up inconsistencies.
<p>What was the consequence of the Blomsberg Fritsch Affair?</p>
<p>It eliminated last power to remove Hitler as it caused a purge of the army</p>
What was the Nazi membership by January 1933 vs 1935?
850,000 to 2,500,000
What do these words mean?
- plenipotentiaries
- dualism
- polycracy
1) empowered to make a decision
2) The government system of 2 forces e.g. state and party
3) A system of relapping ministries
What us the reality of Hitlers leadership?
Hitler was uninvolved- practising his monologues and even more withdrawn in foreign policy. When discussing legislations, he responded with quick grunts of approval- did not like formalising with official documents.
<p>How many chancellory offices claimed to represent Hitler?</p>
<p>5 chancellor offices</p>
<p>What was the role of the Gaulieter?</p>
<p>Communication directly with Hitler
Triumphed in their conflicts with central directives
Hitler praised them and gave them basic instructions
Had freedom to do what they thought best- local leaders were empowered as they were grass root</p>
<p>When was the law against marrying Jews released? What did it mean for the Jewish population?</p>
<p>1935
Declared them as not citizens- establishing a system that allowed forcing Jews out of wealth and right of living. Public began to gradually agree with anti-semiticism.</p>
<p>When was the New Chancellory built?
| What did it mean for the Nazi Rule?</p>
<p>1938
| Symbolised power and order of the Nazi rule- Grand Reich Chancellory which claimed to represent Hitler.</p>
<p>What was the flaws of the Grand reich Chancellory?</p>
<p>Hitler gave closely related jobs. He didn't want chaos but the tasks were barely distinguishable </p>
<p>How was propaganda produced through the radio?</p>
<p>Hitler dominated radios with his key speeches
Radios were made cheap
Used sound of crowds to heighten sense of unity
Sirens were used so workers had to stop to listen </p>
<p>How many households had radios by 1939?</p>
<p>70%</p>
<p>How did the nazis control films for propaganda?</p>
<p>Took over production and companies to convey nazi idea through subtle propaganda. The Reich Film Chamber regulation content, whilst Goebbels pushed it</p>
<p>How did the Nazis control the Olympics for propaganda? When were the Olympics?</p>
<p>1936
Showcased the Nazi idea of being modern, well-organised, aryan being the superior race, magnificently planned, colossal scale stadium, used technology, TV and radio. The success unnerved the public. </p>
<p>When did the Nazis establish a unified radio system and purged hostile elements?</p>
<p>1934</p>
<p>How much had the Nazis extended ownership of press in 1933 compared to 1939?</p>
<p>3% in 1933
| 69% in 1939</p>
<p>What did Clause 14 mean for Editors in October 1933+</p>
<p>Decree issued that it was treason to spread false news and rumours- so editors were responsible for their writers publications</p>
<p>How were the arts censored?</p>
<p>Hitler removed 'degenerate' art (modern) and replaced with aryan art that reflected the Nazi ideology
Scriptures were made easily accessible for aryan men
Reich chamber of Literature banned books which were burnt at rallies</p>
<p>What fraction were the films produced for propaganda?</p>
<p>1/6</p>
<p>How did the Nazis change their image to gain foreign sympathy during the Olympics?</p>
<p>Added 1 Jew to the German team in answer to the foreign criticisms
Germans were full time athletes to promote the aryan race as superior</p>
<p>What was Eintopf?</p>
<p>'One Pot' meal on Sunday once a month. Seen as a sacrifice for the Reich. People donated money to the welfare scheme. This provided extra help for unemployed in the winter months. Enforced the Volks</p>
<p>What was the state of employment by 1939?</p>
<p>Full employment restored in the economy </p>
<p>What is Winterhilfe? When was it established?</p>
<p>1933
| 9 million had benefits provided in 1938 from donations</p>
<p>How did propaganda get involved in encouraging Eintopf donations?</p>
<p>Encouraged a unified German ideology that they all wanted to help. </p>
<p>How many members of the SS in 1929 and 1939?</p>
<p>1929= 280 members 1939= 240,000 (1/4 of a million) </p>
<p>How was the Third Reich the 'SS state'?</p>
<p>They issued passports, authorised marriage and race issues
Took responsibly for concentration camps
Himmler sent shivers down peoples spines</p>
<p>How many people did the SS imprison for political crimes between 1933-1939?</p>
<p>225,000, (162,000 without trial)</p>
<p>How many people did the SS 'legally execute' between 1933-1945?</p>
<p>32,000</p>
<p>What was the role of the SS?</p>
<p>To create a racially pure Volksgemeinschaft
Were an active part of the political community
Powerful and feared organs of repression against non-conformists</p>
<p>How did courts play a part in the role of terror of Nazi leadership?</p>
<p>Judges were instructed to issue harsher sentences
Established to try enemies of the state
SS group leaders were appointed ministers of justice.
Death penalty for being anti Nazi, sex with a Jew, listening to foreign radio</p>
<p>How had the courts been made stricter for the judges by 1939?</p>
<p>Judges had to study Nazi beliefs. Those who did not carry out government wishes were removed </p>
<p>What is the significance of Himmlers role?</p>
<p>Most notorious Nazi
Unified all police in 3 years
Ran concentration camps
Reich Commissioner for Strengthen German Nationhood in 1939</p>
<p>What are the three sections of the SS?</p>
<p>Security
Waffen SS
Death Head Unit</p>
<p>When was the Gestapo created?</p>
<p>1934</p>
<p>Who was Reinhard Heydrich?</p>
<p>Known as the exterminator
Chief security of police and secret service in 1936
Organised EinsatzGruppen
First administrator of concentration system
Sadistic- responsible for the holocaust</p>
<p>Key information about the gestapos omniscience?</p>
<p>Covered all german states by 1936 with 40,000 members
Himmler was head of the SS-Gestapo complex
there were 28 officials amongst millions of people
Directed at the ordinary rather than the higher status
</p>
<p>What were the Gestapos key resources? What happened when it became overwhelming?</p>
<p>80% of denunciations came from voluntary citizens which suggest peoples commitments to the regime Ended up having to reduce the flow of personal accusation by threatening those who gave malicious accusations- being sent to concentration camps</p>
<p>How did the Gestapo contribute to the radicalisation?</p>
<p>Used arbitrary arrests, preventive custody and torture.. Decisions of punishment depended on the priorities of the individual officer.
Felt bogged down by the paper work in a bureaucratic system- couldn't investigate cases properly, causing an escalation</p>
<p>How many people did the Gestapo claim to be in 'protective custody' by 1939?</p>
<p>approx 162,700</p>
<p>What impact did Nazi secret agents have on the people?</p>
<p>Had no basic freedom
No authority to protect themselves from the police
'Speak through a flower'- feared they had to be grateful </p>
<p>What positives did the Nazi dictatorship provide to the people for 'carrot' in gaining support?</p>
<p>Careerists just had to be radical to be respected
People had confidence in their strong leadership
Raising Hitler Youths showed confidence in the future
National celebrations and unity
Day to day images of positive images of their land and race- no homelessness or unemployment </p>
<p>What happened with the Confessional Church? What did the leaders of it do?</p>
<p>They wanted to defend their church against state interference and false theology.
They broke away from the Reich church in 1934. The leaders were arrested in 1937
In September 1934, 100 Pastors Break Away Movement (Confessional Church)</p>
<p>Who were the leaders of the Confessional Church?</p>
<p>Neimöller (ex Hitler supporter) and Bonhöeffer (encouraged resistance, trying to get the church to condemn Nuremberg- executed in the concentration camp)</p>