Reasons Nazis Kept Power 1933-1939 Flashcards
When did the Nazis take power in Germany?
January 1933 and Hitler became chancellor
When and why did the Nazis loose power?
Held power till 1945 when Germany lost WW2
How did Nazis achieve power?
Through various actions such as propaganda, reforms of the party and exploiting Germany’s problems
Was hitler in a coalition government in January 1933?
Yes he was but persuaded the president to call elections for March so he could gain full control
What happened one week before the elections?
The Reichstag was burned down with blame being put on the communists
What decree did Hitler arrange?
He arranged for a decree that the government could arrest anyone seen to be a threat to Germany and it stayed this way till 1945
What does crushing the opposition lead to?
Led to a climate of fear, clear link to state terrorism
Arguments for influence of crushing the opposition?
Hitler now had control of all key aspects of German society
Hitler also created the idea of him and Germany being the same ( Ein Volk, Ein Reich, Ein Fuhrer)
Arguments against influence of crushing the opposition?
Even without these controls, 44% of voters backed the Nazis suggesting other issues led to their support
How did the SS and Gestapo help the Nazis?
The SS ( Germany's internal security) dealt with the opposition violently the Gestapo ( Secret Police, part of the SS) kept watch on people
Who were concentration camps set up for?
Anyone who opposed the Nazis
Who did the Nazis target?
Jews were targeted - banned from working in professions e.g. Law, medicine
‘Night of broken glass’ Jewish homes and shops attacked
They felt isolated - many chose to leave Germany
What does fear and state terrorism link to?
These controls were only available due to crushing the opposition, stripping Jews of employment led to more jobs for non-Jewish Germans
Arguments for influence of fear and state terrorism?
Nazi controls made opposition impossible- people were scared to even voice doubts about Hitler
Arguments against influence of fear and state terrorism?
Many Germans supported anti-Jewish policies and backed Nazi foreign and economic policies
What did Hitler promise?
To build a ‘national community’ involving all Germans
What groups did boys and girls join under Hitlers rule?
Boys - Hitler youth and other similar groups to learn military skills
Girls - League of Young Girls and other similar groups to learn marriage skills
What groups did women join?
Nazi groups where they were given medals for having 8+ children
Arguments for influence of social controls and policies?
Nazis long term plan was to control all aspects of society - young people were key to this
Influencing young people also impacted their parents
Arguments against influence of social controls and policies?
Although a long- term plan these policies had little impact in the 1933-1939 period
Winning 10 year olds support did not lead to Nazi power
What fell massively during the 1933-1939 period?
Unemployment
What did Nazis employed tens of thousands of men in?
They employed them in public building work and motorway construction schemes too
What does economic policies link to?
Jews being fired created jobs for non-Jewish Germans, further link to Nazis foreign policies and German anger at treaty of Versailles
Arguments for influence of economic policies?
Germans were desperate for economic stability after 1930s problems - Nazis offered that e.g. Huge employment drop
Arguments against influence of economic policies?
World Economy was improving- nothing to do with the Nazis
Also not always true - unemployed or Jews not counted
Divide between middle and working class Germans too
What did hitler pledge?
He pledged to repeal the treaty of Versailles; until 1939 he was allowed to do this by other European countries
What did hitler stop paying?
He stopped paying the WW1 reparations
What did Germany invade in 1936?
Rhineland
What did Germany secure in 1938?
‘Anschluss’ between Austria and Germany (99.75% of Austrians voted for this)
What does foreign policies link to?
Nazi propaganda showed Hitlers as a great international leader
Arguments for influence of foreign policies?
Many Germans were pleased to see the treaty of Versailles being reversed
Hitler was seen by Germany as taking back Germany’s dignity
Arguments against influence of foreign policies?
Some people worried that Hitlers action would lead to war
Ultimately Hitlers decision to invade Poland and later USSR led to WW2 and his death
Who was the minister of propaganda?
Joseph Goebbals who promoted the Nazi message
What was a key aim for Hitlers?
Achieve National Community by uniting all Germans
What did propaganda include?
Posters, radio, cinema, adverts and mass rallies
What does propaganda link to?
Link with foreign and economic policies as well as state terror
Arguments for influence of propaganda?
Constant pro-Nazi, anti-Jewish messages were impossible to ignore
Nazi scheme to buy cheap radios meant 70% of German homes had them and so were exposed to messages
Arguments against influence of propaganda?
Many Germans not influenced by message but real life experience
Nazi foreign and economic policies were improving lives and gaining the Nazis supports that way
Fear also crucial: even if did not support Hitler, could not say
