Nazi Germany: Control and Opposition in Nazi Germany Flashcards
What was the SS
Led by Heinrich Himmler. Most important out of the three organisations. the SS set up Concentration camps
What was the Gestapo
Nazi Secret police force. Himmler led it. Its job was to monitor German population for signs of opposition to Nazis. Listened to telephone calls, intercepted letters and encouraged ordinary Germans to inform on fellow citizens
what was the SD
Intelligence-gathering agency of the SS. Responsible for security of Hitler and other top Nazis. Led by Reinhard Heydrich
What was the People’s Courts
1934 seen establishment of People's Courts
Judge swore an oath of loyalty to Hitler
No juries
Crimes carrying death penalty rose from 3 to 46
What were concentration camps
1933 Dachau first camp to be opened. By 1939 there were six
Many convicted criminals not released at end of prison sentences but moved to concentration camps
political opponents like communists, Jew, minister and priests
people regarded by Nazis as “asocial” also ended up in these camps (Homosexuals and prostitutes)
Impact of Police state
Little opposition to Nazis. Most people complied with regulations. became fearful of arrest for no reason
Society more suspicious and tense
Justice disappeared
Number of criminal offences committed was halved by 1939
What did the Nazis do in terms of Propaganda and Censorship
Burned old books
Banned Jewish songs
Sold cheap radios that broadcast Hitler Speeches
Nuremberg rallies organised yearly
1936 Olympic games used to show how much Germany recovered from world war 1.
Banned foreign broadcasts
Successes of Propaganda and Censorship
Propaganda helped reinforce existing beliefs
Mein Kampf become bestseller as people thought it was good to display loyalty
Weekly Nazi newsreels, showing in cinemas before film, and loudspeakers in cafe and workplaces
Failures of Propaganda and Censorship
Propaganda was less successful at getting people to accept new ideas
quality of much of culture was also poor as well as entertainment
Some musicians, artists, actors and writer left Germany
Success in gaining support of German people 1933-39
Rural protestants highly supportive
Hitler Youth indoctrinated easily
Lower middle class business people supported them
No real opposition until 1939 when war started
Limitations in gaining support of German people 1933-39
less likely to be supported by urban working class and the unemployed
Not all Germans were absorbed into the Volksgemeinschaft
Why did the Catholic Church oppose the Nazis
After 1936 the rights of Catholic youth groups were being ignored
What key actions did the Catholic Church take against the Nazis
Pope Pius XI issued a condemnation of the Nazi regime in 1937
Bishop Von Galen of Munster spoke out against Nazi policies against disabled people
Why did the Protestant(Lutheran) Church oppose the Nazis
Opposed the Nazi church led by Ludwig Muller which had swastika emblazoned cross as a symbol and removed references to Jews from the bible
What key actions did the Protestant(Lutheran) Church take against the Nazis
Confessional Church set up in 1934
Pastor Martin Niemoller was arrested by the Nazis for his opposition in 1937 and sent to Dachau concentration camp
Why did some young people wish to oppose the Nazis?
After 1936 it was compulsory to join Nazi youth group. Some young people refused to do this. others stoped attending because they found them monotonous and boring
key actions of opposition from Swing Youth
Grew their hair and danced to jazz (banned music)
key actions of opposition from Edelweiss Pirates
Drank alcohol
Committed acts of vandalism
attacked and mocked members of Hitler Youth
key actions of opposition from Leipzig Hounds
Listened to Moscow Radio
