Nazi ideology and prominent individuals

Question 1

What were the objectives of Nazi ideology?

Answer 1

Nazi ideology (National Socialism) included the following objectives:
- Abolishing the Treaty of Versailles
- Removing Germany from all international treaties
- Restoration of the German economy
- Resolving unemployment issues, mass building programs, increasing industrial capacity

Autarky: employment, security and self-sufficiency for the German people (linked to above)

Rebuilding military strength

Rededication to militarism

Social Darwinism: Aryan race- no outside influence, no “deviants and defected people” (gay, disabled, Romani people)

These objectives required changes to the structure of German society and policy:

Summary
Nazi ideology was based on reclaiming German authority from international powers and natural enemies; and restoring the country militarily and economically (in its eyes). This was to be done through conquering Lebensraum in Eastern Europe, Gleichschaltung (coordination) of society in line with Nazi ideology and building a Volksgemeinschaft (people’s community)

Question 2

How did the Nazis aim to achieve their goals

Answer 2

(Lebensraum): “Living space” for Germans, to be conquered in Eastern Europe. The Nazis believed this was necessary for its self-sufficiency and development.

(Gleichschaltung): “Coordination” of all aspects of society in line with Nazi ideology and policy, and all opposition eliminated

(Volksgemeinschaft): “People’s community”- German peoples working together to reduce class differences, wealth inequity and standard of living, restoring the German economy.

(Fuhrerprinzip): “leader principle”- all authority to be placed in Hitler’s hands, as he embodied the national spirit.

An emphasis on local ingredients (eg. white -> rye bread) to promote Volksgemeinschaft and solidarity in the community.
More natural ingredients grown on German soil, less processed foods in order to restore the Aryan body (the idea of “blood and soil”)
To promote stability

Question 3

Who were the prominent individuals involved achieve the Nazi’s goals

Answer 3

Rudolf Hess

Joseph Goebbels

Reinhard Heydrich

Heinrich Himmler

Hermann Goering

Question 4

What was the role of Rudolf Hess?

Answer 4

(Laws)
Reichstag member: signed much of Nazi legislation, including the Nuremberg Laws of 1935, into law.
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Reichsleiter of the Nazi Party (second-in-command)
Reichstag member: signed much of Nazi legislation, including the Nuremberg Laws of 1935, into law.
Contributed to the organisation of the Nuremberg Rallies

Question 5

What was the role of Joseph Goebbels?

Answer 5

(Propaganda)
- Responsible for the dissemination of Nazi propaganda via newspaper, radio, etc.

• Propaganda genius, controlled all media and created the Fuhrer Myth
  Promoted anti-Semitic agenda through B&W films like The Eternal Jew (1940) and documentaries
  → played a pivotal role in the advocating and organisation of violence against German Jews during Kristallnacht

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- 13 March 1933 - appointed Minister for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda

Stirring up German morale (eg. 1943 Total War speech)

• Historian Longerich: show off the extent to which Party and state were able to dominate the public sphere of the Third Reich by means of National Socialist Symbols, rituals, propaganda and rhetoric.

Question 6

What was the role of Leni Riefenstahl?

Answer 6

(Propaganda)
German film director
Directed several propaganda films including Triumph of the Will (of the 1935 Nuremberg Rally), considered one of the most effective propaganda films ever produced

Question 7

What was the role of Reinhard Heydrich?

Answer 7

(Fear and violence)
Founded the SD (Security Service), which targeted resistance to the Nazi Party through arrests, deportations and murders
Perpetrated Kristallnacht

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Head of SD
- Intelligence agency of SS
- Expanded number of people working for the SD (increased informants/spies on opposition) who were placed in detention
- in charge of removing ‘non-Germans’ in German occupied territories throughout Eastern Europe, especially Jews

Chief of the Reich Security Main Office
Chaired the Wannsee Conference, which formalised the Final Solution to “the Jewish Problem”
Founded the SD (Security Service), which targeted resistance to the Nazi Party through arrests, deportations and murders
Perpetrated Kristallnacht

Question 8

What was the role of Heinrich Himmler?

Answer 8

(Removal of enemies)
Building it up into a millions-strong paramilitary group.
Controlled the concentration camps. Know for good organisation skills.
Oversaw all internal and external security forces from 1943.
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Head of the SS (1929-45)

Building it up into a millions-strong paramilitary group (did NOT found it)

Lied to Hitler about Rohm’s ambition for power
Goering and Himmler encourage Hitler to purge the SA

His SS eliminated Rohm and the SS
rewarded in June 1936 - Chief of the German police - controlled the Nazi’s program of terror (concentration camps and death camps)

Oversaw all internal and external security forces from 1943.

Question 9

What was the role of Hermann Goering?

Answer 9

Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe
Mobilising all sectors of the German society for war, including the German economy
Ordered the Security Police chief Reinhard Heydrich to coordinate a “final solution” to annihilate Jews.
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Formed the Gestapo

Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe (air force)

Goering and Himmler encourage Hitler to purge the SA

Crucial role in consolidating Nazi power: -
- enlisted over 50 000 SA and SS forces
- Encouraged Hitler to purge the SA in the Night of long Knives, especially the leader Ernest Rohm.

Mobilising all sectors of the German society for war, including the German economy

Created the 4 year plan
- aim: prepare Germany for war, increasing food production, increase raw material production,

Aryanisation
- heavily discounted purchasing of Jewish firms
- confiscation of Jewish economic assets

Goering - Prussian interior minister (incharge of Prussia where all the powerful and rich Germans live)
- Make sure Prussia is secure
- Minister of police
- Controls security in Prussia
- Minister without portfolio - can sit in cabinet without specific responsibility but nothing that you can’t do either - essentially minister of everything since there is no designated role

Ordered the Security Police chief Reinhard Heydrich to coordinate a “final solution” to annihilate Jews.

Question 10

Summarise the role of prominent individuals

Answer 10

Throughout the 1930s, Nazi power was perpetrated by prominent individuals who wielded both legal and military authority. Those like Goebbels exemplified the power of propaganda to motivate the masses, while those like Heydrich and Himmler used violence to suppress opposition.