Political system under the Nazis

Question 1

Was Hitler helpful in gov?

Answer 1

Although Hitler gave impression of being charismatic + dynamic leader, historians argue he was lazy + left others to do most of the work
Others argue he was only interested in a few issues eg architecture or foreign policy
Didn’t coordinate gov

Question 2

What was the system of government under Hitler?

Answer 2

No clear and established system for Cabinet government in the Third Reich, meant that gov and law appeared in a disorganised form

Question 3

What was Hitler’s role in the gov?

Answer 3

Role was limited
His absences, lifestyle + unwillingness to make decisions + lack of contact with ministers meant they had to try to determine his actual wishes, known as ‘working towards the führer’, resulted in further contradictions

Question 4

How was the ‘working towards the führer’ process made worse?

Answer 4

Hitler’s dislike of paperwork, committee meetings and the decline in the role of the Cabinet invited initiatives from below provided they were broadly in line with Hitler’s actual goals.
Led to the radicalisation of policy. Seen most clearly in the policy of terror, genocide + foreign policy.

Question 5

What statistic demonstrates the decline in the role of the Cabinet in Hitler’s gov?

Answer 5

The Cabinet met 72 times in 1933, but only 4 times in 1936

Question 6

What limits were there to Nazi power?

Answer 6

Established state institutions remained

There were divisions with in the actual party

Question 7

Hitler’s gov Key points

Answer 7

Reichstag rarely met, mainly used as applause machine for Nazi leader speeches
Nazi party remained a Fuhrer party
Party’s main goal was to help spread Nazi ideas
Gauleiters were some of the most important members virtually ran it