Summary 10 - Was it the nature of the Nazi State that allowed the Holocaust to happen?

Question 1

Give evidence which suggests that it was the nature of the Nazi state that allowed the Holocaust to happen?

Answer 1

The totalitarian nature of the Nazi state meant that many ordinary Germans conformed with the anti-semitic policies and were scared to resist.

Question 2

How did propaganda contribute to the Holocaust?

Answer 2

Propaganda emphasised the need to destroy the power and influence of the Jews, who had created German problems in the past. This created a strong motivation for ordinary Germans to allow the Holocaust to happen.

Question 3

As part of the Nazi state, Hitler held total authority. How did this enable the Holocaust to happen?

Answer 3

Leading Nazis worked towards Hitlers vision: Speer (slave labour), Himmler (Final Solution), Goebbels (Propaganda).

Question 4

Give evidence which suggests that the nature of the Nazi state was not responsible for the Holocaust?

Answer 4

The Nazi regime was chaotic and had little coherent plan.
The nature of the state alone was not responsible, in order for the Holocaust to happen, it needed the participation of many.