The establishment of the Nazi Dictatorship and its domestic policies Feb 1933–1939 Flashcards
what is censorship
the suppression or prohibition of any parts of books, films, news, etc. that are considered obscene, politically unacceptable, or a threat to security.
who controlled censorship
Goebbels
how did Goebbels control cnesorship
exercised censorship through the Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda and the requirement for artists, writers, film makers to be members of the various chambers of the** Reich Chamber of Culture**
what were the nazi’s trying to achive
- Gleichschaltung – Nazification of German institutions and society
- To maintain Hitler in power by keeping the population contented and building support for the regime’s policies. (Terror was used against people who refused to be won over)
- To indoctrinate the people with Weltanschauung (Nazi world view) and create a Volksgemeinschaft
- to promote the hitlter myth
Volksgemeinschaft meaningg
rooted in the notion of uniting people across class divides to achieve a national purpose
for nazi’s this meant an aryan national community
what were methods of propaganda
- Government and party institutions
- Media (Press, Radio, Film)
- Meetings and rallies
Sport - Art and Architecture
- Literature
- Theatre
when was the reich ministry for popular enlightenment and propangada created
march 1933
who headed the reich ministry for popular enlightenment and propangada
goebbels
how many people were employed at the reich ministry for popular enlightenment and propangada by 1937
14,000
when was the reich chamber of culture created
september 1933
what was the reich chamber of culture used for
‘to promote German culture for the benefit of the Volk and the Reich’
what was the reich chamber of culture made of
contained 7 sub-chambers
membership of the reich chamber of culture
was compulsory for people involved in cultral activites
what did the reich chamber of culture control
controlled artistic activities, licensed events, could close newspapers and expel members
what played an imp. role in propaganda in nazi rule
technology- emonstrate the power of the state – e.g., radio and advances in construction to build autobahns
how was the press controlled
nazi rule
the press was controlled through compulsory membership of its members of co-ordinating bodies, control of content and state ownership
Journalists, editors and publishers had to be members of the Reich Press Chamber and the Reich Association of the German Press
The October 1933 law:
The RMVP German Press Agency told editors what to include in their newspapers’ content
Gradually, the state took over ownership of the press but kept their original title names
what was the october 1933 law (the press)
made editors responsible for infringements of government directives and they were obliged to exclude anything that was against the interests of the German state
how much of the circulation of press did teh state control in 1933, 1939 and 1944
1933- 3%
1939- 69%
1944- 82%
nazi control of radio
Radio had been state regulated since 1925 by the Reich Radio Company
51% of radio was owned by the Ministry of Posts and 40% by 9 regional broadcast companies – these bodies determined what was broadcast
In 1933 radio was taken over by the Reich governors
In 1934 a unified radio system was created under the Broadcasting Department of the RMVP
There was mass production of cheap ‘people’s receivers’
By 1939 70% of households owned a radio set
There were also public speakers so that people could listen to important broadcasts at work and out and about
There was only one radio station, broadcasting a mix of light entertainment and Hitler’s key speeches
In 1933, an estimated 56 million people listened to Hitler’s speeches
how many ‘people’s recievers’ were there in 1933 and 1943
1933- 7mil
1943- 16mil
nazi control of film
Germany had a thriving film industry in the 1920s, rivalling Hollywood
In the 1930s the number of filmgoers quadrupled
The four major German film companies stayed in private ownership until 1942 when they were nationalised.
However, the government had been increasingly exerting control and buying up shares in these companies in the meantime
German films tended to be entertainment rather than propaganda
Foreign films were censored and those thought to be contrary to the regime’s values were banned
propaganda filsm from nazi era
Triumph of the Will (1935)
The Eternal Jew (1939)
what is the most famous nazi rally and when was it
Nuemberg rallies – held annually between 1933 and 1938 on reich party day in spetemer
organisation of the nuremberg rallies
carefully designed by Albert Speer (Hitler’s architect), employing spectacular effects such as searchlights, rousing music, choreographed marching, waving flags, and uniforms
how was sports co-ordinated
Sport and sporting bodies were co-ordinated under a Reichssportsfuhrer
The Hitler Youth and DAF (workers’ front) organised sporting activities, in particular gymnastics
example of propaganda (sport)
The holding of the Olympic Games was a propaganda coup and Hitler exploited the world attention it generated to promote Germany and the Nazi regime
controll/use of art for propanagda
Hitler considered himself as something of an art expert
However, his tastes were rather traditional and conservative
Art was **controlled under the Reich Culture Chamber **and all working artists had to become members
Licences were granted for teaching, exhibiting and working
Hitler sought to make art more accessible and exhibitions were held in factories and many art works were depicted in postcards
There was an Exhibition of Great German Art in 1937 in Munich shortly followed by an Exhibition of Degenerate Art
The aim was to** show people the superiority of German Art**
However, more people went to see the degenerate than the German art!
control/use of literature for propanganda
Literature was expected to promote German values and Nazi ideas
Suspect literature and books by authors considered subversive were burned in May 1933 at the Burning of Books ceremony in Berlin where 20,000 books were set on fire
Many famous authors left Germany rather than face censorship or the banning of their books
The best selling book of the Nazi era was Mein Kampf, selling over 6 million copies, having sold very few before Hitler came to power!!!
what do the sales if Mein Kampf tell us
that people supported hitler more out of fear then truly beliving the nazi ideology
nazi control of music
Music thought to contain Jewish (works by Mendelssohn) or African American influences (Jazz) was banned
Musicians had to be members of the Reich Chamber of Music
why is it difficult to assess the effectiveness of propaganda?
Lots of things influence people’s attitudes
We do not know what people thought before they saw the propaganda and how the propaganda changed them
Terror state -> people unlikely to speak openly about dissenting views
Can only look at levels of conformity and obedience (which may or may not reflect real commitment to the ideology) and levels of opposition.
evaluatiob of effectivesnnes of propaganda
Historians had traditionally assumed that Nazi propaganda was very successful due to its strong clear messages, a high level of control and censorship; general conformity; low levels of opposition.
But local studies have painted a different picture.
It seems that propaganda played an important role in creating the Hitler myth and strengthening Germany after the crises of 1929-33, but was less successful in creating a Nazi culture, winning over the working classes or bringing about a Volksgemeinschaft mentality.
how did hitler come to power
the backstairs intrigue
what is the backstairs intrigue
Papen sought revenge on Schleicher for persuading Hindenburg to dismiss him December 1932
Papen secretly contacted the Nazis and met with Hitler on 4 January 1933.
It was agreed that Hitler lead a Nazi-Nationalist coalition government with Papen as Vice-Chancellor
Papen then persuaded major landowners, industry leaders and the army that Hitler was the best protection against communism and Schleicher’s machinations
With their support, Papen was able to convince Hindenburg that he could form a government with majority backing in the Reichstag and that the Nationalists would control the Nazis in government
Hindenburg’s son, Oskar, and his state secretary (adviser), Meissner were also key in changing Hindenburg’s opposition to appointing Hitler Chancellor
when was the nazi ‘legal revoloution’
january to march 1933
what was the nazi ‘legal revolution’
Hitler had been put into power but with significant limitations
Only two other Nazis in the Cabinet out of the 12 members – Wilhelm Frick (Minister of the Interior) and Herman Goring (Minister without Portfolio)
The coalition government did not command the support of the majority of the Reichstag unless it gave significant concessions to the Zentrum Party
Hindenburg did not really want to appoint Hitler and could sack him at any time – as he had done Papen and Schleicher
However, Hitler did have advantages:
Hitler was leader of the largest party in the Reichstag and so had a mandate to be the Chancellor. The alternative was Civil War or a Communist coup!
Having Nazis in the government gave them access to the resources of the state, e.g., Goring was also Minister of the Interior of Prussia which gave him control of the police in the state which he used to harass the Nazi’s opponents
Hitler was cleverer and more devious than his political opponents
what happened following Hitlers election as chancellor
Hitler called elections within 24 hours of being appointed – to give him a parliamentary majority without having to give concessions to other parties
what happened at reichstag election (5th march 1933)
itler called elections within 24 hours of being appointed – to give him a parliamentary majority without having to give concessions to other parties
The Nazis used violence and terror to break up the election meetings of Socialists, Communists and even Zentrum – 69 people were killed during the five week election campaign
Propaganda was used very effectively – Hitler blamed Germany’s economic problems on the weakness of democratic government and the terrorist activities of the Communists and claimed the election was an opportunity for a national uprising to restore Germany’s pride and unity
The Nazis had access to large amounts of funds to finance the campaign – at a meeting with 20 leading industrialists Hitler was promised 3 million marks
when was reichstag fire
27th feb 1933
consequences of teh reichstag fire
Within a week of election day, the Reichstag was set on fire
A young Dutch Communist called Marinus van der Lubbe was arrested for the crime but it is still not known if this was a lone wolf attack or a put-up job by the Nazis, as they had been claiming there was a danger of a communist revolt
Whatever the truth, the Nazis exploited the situation to their advantage
On 28 February, Frick as Minister of the Interior drew up** ‘Decree for the Protection of People and State’** and Hindenburg signed it under the Article 48 constitutional provisions
It suspended constitutional civil rights and political freedoms and gave the police the power to hold people in protective custody indefinitely
It prepared the way for a state of emergency
The KPD was outlawed, allowing the arrest members of its members and the intimidation of other opposition parties
It remained in force throughout the Third Reich, in effect becoming its basic law
oucome of the election following the reichstag fire
High turnout of 88% suggesting intimidation of voters
The Nazis increased their share of the vote from 33 to 44% but did not give them a majority of votes or seats in the Reichstag
They still depended on the 52 seats won by the Nationalists
It also prevented any change to the constitution as that required a two-thirds majority of the Reichstag
Hitler now began to plot his seizure of complete control over the government
when was the potsdam ceremony
21st march 1933
what was the potsdam ceremony
Ceremony for the opening of the newly elected Reichstag
This was a piece of political theatre to reassure the political establishment, especially Hindenburg, about the forthcoming Enabling Act
Hitler symbolically aligned National Socialism with the forces of Old Germany
when was the enabling act passed
24th march 1933
how did hitler get the enabling act passed
he newly elected Reichstag met at the Kroll Opera House due to the Reichstag fire
Communist deputies were either** in prison or not allowed into the building by the SA and SS** who were inside and surrounding the building
Other party deputies were intimidated by the SA
Hitler won the support of Zentrum party deputies by promising to protect the rights of the Catholic Church and to uphold religious and moral values
The Social Democrats were the only party deputies to vote against
The Enabling Act was passed by 444 votes to 94
what did the enabling act allow
Also known as the ‘Law for terminating the suffering of the People and Nation’
Gave emergency powers to the government for four years
The government could pass decrees without the President’s approval or a vote of the Reichstag
Passed under Article 76 of the Weimar Constitution, which required a two-thirds majority of the Reichstag to pass any constitutional changes
when was the enabling act renewed
1938
consequences of the enabling act
Legally established the Nazi regime
Gave Hitler complete control over the government and the Reichstag so that he could complete the process of the consolidation of power
Became the virtual constitution of the Third Reich
co-ordination of german society and nazism
The synchronisation, infiltration or merging of German society and Nazism.
For example, party associations were created at both local and national level to control all aspects of life so the way people thought and behaved was in line with Nazi ideology.
It was both a ‘revolution from above’ (dictated by Hitler and his close cronies) and a ‘revolution from below’ (carried out by SA and party members at the local level)
The main focus of co-ordination in the first year of Nazi rule was the federal states, the opposition political parties and the trade unions
which opposition did hitler remove
Communists (KPD)
Socialists (SPD)
Z Party (Catholic Party)
Other political parties
Trade Unions (workers)
State Assemblies (Länder)
Rivals within his own party (SA leaders)
The President
what was the nazi opionion of federal states
Point 25 of the 25 Points Programme called for ‘a strong central government’ to have ‘unconditional authority over the entire Reich’ which meant an end to the federal structure of Germany
what measure were passed to dismantle regional gov
31 March 1933 law - to dissolve the regional parliaments (Landtage) and their reformation with majorities sympathetic to the Nazis
7 April 1933 law – creation of Reich Governors (Reichstatthalter) who were usually the local Nazi party Gauleiter
30 January 1934 Law for the Reconstruction of the State – abolition of the regional parliaments and the lander brought under the control of the Federal Minister of the Interior
which was teh first opposition party removed and when
The Communists were the first to be outlawed in the February 1933 decree after the Reichstag fire
when was the SPD removed
The assets of the SPD were seized in May 1933 and then the party was banned on 22 June
what happened to the rest of opposition (Politiocal parties)
Most of the remaining parties willingly agreed to dissolve themselves in late June 1933 (even the nationalists who had put the Nazis into power)
Zentrum disbanded itself on 5 July 1933
what law was passed in july 1933
political law
Law against the Formation of New Parties passed
eval of opposition from political parties
most political parties put up feeble opposition to the Nazis, having failed to support previous more democratic governments that were trying to deal with the significant economic problems caused by the Great Depression
what threat did trade unions propose to hitler and why
The trade unions could have posed a significant threat to Hitler
They had strong connections with other important groups is society – the SPD, KPD and the Catholic Church
They had brought down the Kapp Putsch in 1920 by holding a general strike
what changed the level of threat presented by trade unions
However, by 1933 the trade unions were a spent force – their membership had been depleted due to mass unemployment
what happened with trade unions with hitler
Union leaders thought they could work with Hitler – perhaps they believed the socialist policies of the 25 Points Programme!
Hitler deceived the unions by declaring 1 May 1933 a national holiday (the international day of celebration for workers)
The next day, union offices were raided by the SA and SS, their funds confiscated and their leaders sent to concentration camps such as Dachau
Independent unions were then banned and a German Labour Front (Deutscher Arbeitsfront DAP) formed of 22 million workers
Workers lost the right to negotiate wages and working conditions and instead it became an instrument of control
when was the night of the long knives
30th june 1934
what was the night of the long knives
Hitler killed Rohm and killed leaders of teh SA
Hitlers prob regarding the SA
Hitler had come to power through the cultivation of conservative forces and harnessing the thuggery of the SA
But these groups had very different objectives
Conservative groups wanted the preservation of their status and the maintenance of the status quo
The SA and Rohm wanted what he called a ‘second revolution’ – social and economic reform and the creation of a People’s Army by merging the German army and the SA
Hitler tried to reconcile these two groups in a speech to Reich Governors on 6 July 1933
He warned of the dangers of a permanent state of revolution and demanded that ‘the stream of revolution must be guided into the safe channel of evolution’
Rohm dreams for the SA
Hitler’s request to reorganise the SA and restore discipline
Rohm wanted the SA to be amalgamated with the army into a People’s Militia and that he would be commander of it
The army despised the low class origins of the SA members and their ill-discipline
Hitler needed the discipline and the expertise of the army if he was to achieve his foreign policy aims so he assured the army that he would deal with the SA
how mnay members did the SA have by 1934
the SA numbered 2.5 million and were mainly unemployed working class young men
what did rohm say about hitker in 1934
‘Adolf is a swine. He will give us all away. He only associates with reactionaries now…Getting matey with the East Prussian generals. They’re his cronies now…Adolf knows exactly what I want. I’ve told him often enough. Not a second edition of the old imperial army’
how did hitler try to deal with rohm before the night of long knives
Hitler was reluctant to have a showdown with his old associate
He tried to win him over by making him a member of the Cabinet in December 1933
In February 1934 Hitler called a meeting between the army, the SA and the SS to work out the role of each group in the Nazi state but they could not agree
impact of hidenburgs ill-health
Matters came to a head in April 1934 when it became obvious that Hindenburg did not have long to live
Hitler hoped to succeed Hindenburg as President, without there being a contested election or the restoration of the monarchy as some in the army were calling for
what did hitler need to become president
Hitler needed the support of the army to become president
what did the army want and how did HItler deal with this
The army demanded an end to talk of a ‘second revolution’ and a ‘People’s Militia’
Hitler met with two leading generals – Blomberg and Fritsch – on the battleship Deutschland and promised to contain the SA and expand the Army and the Navy
what was the catalyst for the purge
The catalyst for the purge was Papen’s speech at Marburg University on 17 June 1934 –It called for an end to revolution and Nazi terror, restoration of decency and some political freedoms, especially freedom of the press
Hitler tried to stop publication of the speech which led Papen to threaten to resign
Hindenburg was concerned about the row and threatened to impose martial law
what did papen’s speech lead to
the night of long knives
what happened in the night of the long knives
detailed asf
Hitler knew that if the army took over he would be finished – he had to win their loyalty by carrying out a purge of the SA
Hitler used the cover of attending a wedding of a Nazi Gauleiter to travel south to meet Rohm was on holiday at Wiessee as they had prearranged but without raising suspicions about the real reason for the visit
On June 30, Rohm and leading members of the SA were arrested and two days later shot by the SS.
Rohm was offered a gun to commit suicide but he refused
Schleicher and Strasser were murdered but Papen escaped
In all, about 200 people were murdered in the Purge – SA leaders, former associates and those who knew too much and were considered unreliable
consequences of the night of long knives
July 1934 the Army took a public oath to Hitler
‘I swear by God this sacred oath, that I will render unconditional obedience to Adolf Hitler, the Fuhrer of the German Reich and people, Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and will be ready as a brave soldier to risk my life at any time for this oath’
The SA was maintained as a showpiece force but ceased to have any political influence
The emergence of the SS as the Nazis elite institution of terror
Hitler secured his own personal supremacy, becoming a personal dictator
when did hindenburg die
2 august 1934
what did the death of hidenburg mean for the nazi’s
The death of Hindenburg did not cause a political crisis because Hitler had taken effective measures to prevent this
Hitler effortlessly merged the offices of Chancellor and President by government decree
From this point he became known as Fuhrer
19 August 1934 plebiscite (referendum) to confirm the merging of the positions of Chancellor and President – 95% turnout, 90% Yes
The Nazi regime had been stabilised and the threat of a ‘second revolution’ had been removed
how was hitler presented
Image of Hitler (Nazi propaganda) as a STRONG DICTATOR
Undisputed, all-powerful leader
One-party state; the office of President and Chancellor were combined
Head of the armed forces
Impression of being a charismatic and dynamic leader
reality of hitler as a leader
He was actually quite lazy – watched films until 2.30am, then got up just before lunch
Left others to do most of the work
Very few documents seemed to be signed by him
Only architecture and foreign policy really interested him
Government was actually very confused
Decisions based on informal conversations rather than a clear plan – Hitler’s lengthy monologues
what was the role of the nazi party in the third reich
After 1933, the Nazi Party was the only legal political party in Germany
Many people joined the party because their job required it or they were ambitious for promotion
By 1943, 10% of the population were members of the party
This might lead you to think the Nazi Party was really powerful
Look at the diagram of the Nazi state
Nazi party organisations remained separate from state institutions
Most of the traditional government ministries were led and staffed by Nazis but not all top officials were members of the party
Real power lay with Hitler and those close to him – like in a personal monarchy. This is illustrated by looking at the key leaders of the Nazi Party (see Hite and Hinton, page 200)
Also look at the diagrams of the Nazi Party organisation
what were the courts
machinary of terror
The Courts played a significant role in removing opponents to the regime under the guise of legality.
Hitler kept the existing court system but ensured that judges and lawyers conformed to Nazi values, for example through party organisations such as the League of German Lawyers and the threat of dismissal.
A new set of courts were created called the People’s Court to try cases against enemies of the state.
when was the emergancy power decree
used by the courts
feb 1933
what was the emergency power decree and impact
used by the courts
could take suspects into protective custody without being put on trial
Between 1933 and 1939 250,000 Germans were convicted and imprisoned for political crimes and 162,000 were in protective custody
what was the SS
The SS was a party body, created in 1925 as Hitler’s bodyguard.
Over time it became a mass organisation and its role evolved into being that of protecting the regime from its enemies.
Himmler became head of it in 1929 and turned it into his power base
Kershaw describes it as ‘the ideological power house of the Third Reich and the executive organ of the Fuhrer’s will’
what was the gestapo
The Gestapo was originally the Prussian secret police, created to root out enemies of the German state
It came under the control of Himmler in 1936 when he was made Chief of the German Police
Kershaw says, ‘The most powerful agency of repression thus merged with the most dynamic ideological force in the Nazi Movement’
gestapo membership in 1929, 1933, 1939 and 1944
1929- 280
1933 - 55,000
1939 - 240,000
1944 - over 1mil
what happened within/to the SS following 1930’s
It became a virtual state within a state
In the late 1930s, the SS took over responsibility for concentration and extermination camps
It also formed Waffen-SS, an elite military force, that rivalled the Wehrmacht – for example repressing brutally the Warsaw Uprising
It ran the Lebensborn programme and V weapon production
extent of SS empire
Security – policing and intelligence in Germany and the occupied lands, removal of opposition
Military – Waffen SS increased from 3 divisions in 1939 to 35 in 1945. It became so powerful that it rivalled the German Army
Economy – By 1945, it controlled over 150 businesses, exploiting slave labour to extract raw materials and to manufacture goods.
Ideology and race – Death’s Head Units ran the concentration camps which resettled and exterminated millions of people
concentration camps
uses
Concentration camps were used to question, torture, re-educate and inflict hard labour on enemies of the state.
These included trade union and political leaders, Communists, Socialists, Catholic and Protestant clergy, and undesirable groups such as gypsies and homosexuals
Between 1933 and 1939 1.3 million Germans were sent to concentration camps
However, there were only 6 camps before 1939
between 1933 - 1939 how many people were sent to concentration camps
1.3 million
name 2 conc. camps and a death camp
- Dachau
- sachsenhausen
Death camp - auschwitz
how effective was the machinary of terror
Very effective at consolidating Hitler’s power – the removal of communist and socialist opposition significantly reduced opposition to the regime.
Some effectiveness in eliminating enemies of the Volksgemeinschaft – asocials, gypsies, homosexuals, etc.
Did not completely prevent opposition
Effective, but not the only thing that kept Hitler in power.
effectiveness of the gestapo
The Gestapo was a name that struck fear into the hearts of Germans but it could not be a very effective instrument of terror
At its peak there were** only 30,000 officers** for a population of less than 70 million people
Most of them were desk officers relying on denunciations from ordinary citizens
Most denunciations for committing race crimes (mainly being Jewish) came from the general public (57%)
Only 0.5% came from observations by Gestapo agents
Over time, the denunciations became a problem and Himmler threatened to send those making malicious accusations to the concentration camps!
german people view of ideology, machinary of terror
most Germans supported the regime
many Germans did not encounter repression and believed that what repression did occur was justified
thousands of Germans assisted the Gestapo and other repressive agents in their work
repression was somewhat random; some people were actually moved out of Auschwitz; some were acquitted in the courts
some people did protest and escape punishment
aims of nazi economic policy
- RECOVERY
- end to high unemployment = job creation
- industrial production to increase
- boost agricultural prices
- REARMAMENT
- be ready for war in 4 years
methods to achieve economic aims
Public works and job creation
Schacht’s New Plan 1934
Goring’s Four Year Plan
German Labour Front (DAF)
Strength Through Joy
public workd and job creation
helping economy
public investment, e.g., autobahns and public buildings
Tax concessions for key industries to encourage production
Law for the Reduction of Unemployment (took women out of the list by offering loans if they gave up their job)
Voluntary Labour Service 1931 (removed young people from the labour market)
Reich Labour Service (job creation plus it militarised the workforce)
Conscription was reintroduced in 1935
Generous public spending
successes of public works and job creation for econocmy
1 bn Reichsmarks invested
Huge road-building programme, canals and houses
40% increase in production of cars
By 1938 there was virtually full employment
Govt spending rose by 70% 1933-1936.
failures of public works and job creation for econocmy
The figures are deceptive. The Reich Labour Service took young men (18-25) out of the list of unemployed – poorly paid, hard labour, poor conditions
Voluntary Labour Service had already enrolled 300,000 men by 1932 under Bruning
Increased balance of trade deficit (importing more raw materials; failing to increase its export market)
eval. of public works and job creation
The eradication of unemployment was undoubtedly important, and was one of Hitler’s promises.
But it was only achieved because a quarter of the workforce was employed in rearmament.
what was Schacht’s job
President of the Reichsbank 1933-1939 and Minister of Economics 1934-1937
what was schacht’s new plan
Aim to rectify the problems generated by the deficit financing policy including balance of trade deficit
Guns or butter debate
when did schacht introduce his new plan
1934
success of schacht’s new plan
Raised funds for rearmament
Govt decided which imports were allowed. Priority was given to heavy industry
Bi-lateral trade treaties were signed (eg SE Europe and S America) – German purchases were paid for in Reichsmarks which the countries then had to use to buy German goods
Mefo bills (credit notes to pay manufacturers of military equipment)
failures of schacht’s new plan
Created a demand for imports - > balance of payments problem which was worsening by 1936
‘Guns or butter’ debate - Schacht argued that arms expenditure should be reduced and the production of industrial goods increased so that there was more to sell
Hitler would not face up to the problems caused by focusing on rearmament, and instead appointed Göring as Commissioner for Raw Materials and Currency
what was Goering’s 4year plan
Increase industrial production
In 1938, after the Anschluss, took over Austrian companies
After the Czech Crisis, took over the Skoda works in the Sudentenland
Increase agricultural production
Produce synthetic goods to reduce reliance on imports e.g. ersatz rubber, coffee, oil
Increase armaments production in preparation for war
Achieve autarky (food and industrial goods)
The aim seemed to be to move towards a Total War economy (for a large-scale not a localised war)
successes of goering’s 4yr plan
Industrial production rose at a considerable rate in some industries, e.g., aluminium
Certain companies did very well – Daimler-Benz, I G Farben, Krupps….
Arguably the economy was ready to fight a short blitzkrieg war
failures of goering’s 4yr plan
Production bottlenecks, competition for scarce resources, labour shortages, lack of foreign exchange to pay for imports, a growing danger of inflation
Most targets were not met, especially on oil and rubber
Not self-sufficient in vegetables, eggs, meat or fat
By 1939, when the war broke out, Germany still relied on foreign supplies for 1/3 of its raw materials
NOT ready for a total war
eval of 4yr plan
economy was expanding too quickly. Large-scale rearmament had created a number of problems:
Growing shortages in many areas – food, consumer goods and raw materials.
Balance of trade was bad; difficult to finance
Labour shortages – especially among skilled workers pushed up wages
Expenditure and the deficit had grown and the government was finding it difficult to finance the debt
discontent of the workers pushed Hitler into war as a way out of the economic crisis
The Nazis failed to prepare for the war they found themselves in 1939 (had planned to be ready in 1943)
Impact of German labour front
ndependent Trade Unions were replaced by the DAF which was under Nazi control and mandatory for workers
DAF arranged wages (usually poor) and dealt harshly with unrest
The aim was to end the demands of the workers and strip them of their rights, as part of a wider set of measures to remove all opposition to the regime
Historically workers had supported the Socialist and Communist parties
who were the DAF
the german labour front
success of DAF
‘Good ventilation’ and ‘hot meals’ campaigns
failures of DAF
Wages only rose above 1929 levels in 1938
Take-home pay actually deteriorated as workers had to pay large contributions to the DAF and for insurance
Working hours increased from 43 to 47 per week by 1939
Pressure to do overtime and military tasks
what was strength through joy
A state welfare organisation to improve conditions, raise morale and to win the support of the workers
Workers gained sports facilities, cultural visits, and subsidised holidays
Could start paying towards the ‘People’s Car’ (the Volkswagen) but no cars were actually delivered
nazi overall aims for germnay
To make Germany strong enough to fight a war
(economic and social policies)
To create a Volksgemeinschaft (a strong, ‘racially pure’, united Aryan national community)
(social and religious policies)
To eliminate opposition/process of Gleichschaltung
(religious, social and economic policies)
nazi religious aims
To eliminate opposition
To make the church undergo a process of Gleichschaltung
Thus eliminate religious groups as a threat, and enlist their help in creating a Volksgemeinschaft
nazi view of religion
Nazi ideology was in complete opposition to Christian ideals
Violence, war, strength, and survival of the fittest versus love, compassion, and protecting the weak in society
Christianity and the church therefore presented a problem for the regime, especially as Jesus was Jewish rather than Aryan (went against the ideology of the Volksgemeinschaft)
Many Germans had strong Christian beliefs. After all, this was the home of Martin Luther and the Protestant Reformation in C16
Churches are powerful institutions and could be focuses for opposition (have leaders, meeting places, meeting times, good speakers, a passionate belief…..)
relations of nazi’s and protestants
On the whole, Protestants were willing to cooperate with the regime because of its family values
Many pastors spoke in favour of the Nazi Party and encouraged people to vote for it. Communism was seen as greater threat to Protestants in 1933 because Marx argued that argued that religion is the opiate of the masses
However, Protestantism was not one single organised religion. There were many variations with different structures and doctrines, e.g. Lutheran, Anabaptists, Zwinglians etc.
Hitler’s priority was to coordinate these different churches and try to control them
1933 a united Reich Church was established under Ludwig Müller, a fanatical Nazi. Members were known as ‘German Christians’ and adopted Nazi-style uniforms, salutes and marches. Müller was appointed the first Reich bishop ‘The swastika on our breasts and the cross in our hearts.’
Nazi policies after 1933, especially euthanasia, resulted in the alienation of many Protestants
In 1934 two Protestant bishops were arrested for opposing the Reich Church [ Bonhoeffer and Niemoller]
This led to the **establishment of the Confessing Church **– independent of the state – under the leadership of Martin Niemoller which attracted the support of **7000 out of 17,000 pastors
**
Judgement: ineffectiveness of Nazi policies when deeply held religious traditional beliefs were threatened
relation of nazi’s with catholics
Potentially a more formidable opposition group than the Protestants, as an global organisation with a famous and historically important leader, the Pope.
Hitler did not want a prolonged conflict with the Catholic Church, and the Church was concerned to preserve its independence
This resulted in the Catholic Church signing the Concordat with Nazi Germany in July 1933 under Pope Pius XI
In return for the Church keeping out of politics, the Nazis agreed not to interfere with the legal and property rights of the church
This appeared to guarantee religious freedom: the church would run itself and appoint its own ministers, and parents were able to request Catholic schools for their children
religios opposition to nazi’s
Pope Pius XI wrote a public letter, ‘With Burning Grief’, in 1937, which was an outspoken attack on Nazi beliefs and methods
Bishop Galen (Catholic bishop of Munster) openly criticised the regimes’ euthanasia policy 1941. This caused the policy to be suspended, and when it was restarted it was done in secret.
The founding of the Confessing Church by Niemoller. He was arrested and put in Sachsenhausen concentration camp
Dietrich Bonhoeffer – an academic and a pastor – joined the Confessing Church, preached against the regime, taught trainee pastors to oppose the regime, became involved in political opposition (Kreisau Circle), helped Jews to emigrate, and worked with the resistance movement until he was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943. He was murdered in Flossenburg Concentration Camp in April 1945
In 1998 the Vatican officially apologised for not opposing the anti-Semitic policies
what was the german faith movement
The Nazi regime also attempted to establish an alternative to Christianity, the German Faith Movement.
It was non-Christian and based on the beliefs of Germans in ancient history
a belief in the superiority of the Germanic races and opposition to the Jews
the replacement of Christian ceremonies, such as marriage, with pagan versions as Jesus was a Jew
a rejection of Christian ethics of mercy and forgiveness
a belief in the cult of Hitler’s personality.
This was an even greater failure - only 5% of Germans joined it
relighion during the war
Only after military victories was the regime confident enough to persecute the churches:
monasteries were closed
church property was attacked
church activities restricted
eval. of nazi religious aims
The regime was very aware of the strength of religious beliefs in Germany and the danger of provoking unrest
In 1942 churches played an important role in supporting the population after bombing raids – regime could not afford to alienate them
The churches were prepared to compromise in order to survive (and indeed had some sympathy for attitudes towards the family and its opposition to communism.
The regime could not completely repress the church and was unable to destroy loyalty to the churches
What are the 3K’s regarding women
kinder
kirche
küche
overall evaluation of nazi policies towards women
Nazi policies towards women were contradictory
Promoted marriage and the family but young people were encouraged to have loyalty to the state rather than the family
The desire for a genetically pure race led to the encouragement of divorce and sterilisation
The Lebensborn programme encouraged procreation outside of marriage
Female employment increased but there was still a labour shortage, especially in the armaments industry, but Hitler refused to allow female conscription even though this would have increased production
We don’t know how far women embraced Nazi ideas about women’s role in society
German society was already conservative
Many of the policies were ineffective
For example the birth rate went down, which suggests that people did not accept Nazi ideas
nazi aims regarding women
6
- increase pure german birth rates
- increase suitable marriages
- develop healthy germans
- prepare women for their proper role + restrict opportunities
- reduce female employmnet
- organise women and incorporate them in the nazi volksgemeinschaft
measures for nazi aim of increasing pure german births
women
- financial incentives - marriage loans and birth grants
- improved maternity servies
- propaganda to raise status +self esteem of mothers and housewives
- awards:: mother’s cross
5.* penalties:*
* higher taxes on childless couples
* tighter penalties on abortion
* restrictions on contraception infomation
* measures introduced for compulsory sterilisation of ‘undesirables’
measures for nazi aim of increasing suitable marriages
women
- 1933, 600RM marriage loan if unemployed
- 1937, loan extended to women in work
- 1935, marriage law required certificatate of ‘fitness to marry’ before marruage licesne is issued
- Oct 1955, blood protection law: marriage to jews, black people are gypsies is forbidden
- 1938, marriage law extended the grounds for divorce
measures for nazi aim of developing healthhy germans
women
- the national socialist welfare organisation [NSV] set up
- vast expansion of health offices, especially in rural areas; improved saniatation, preventative medicine, genetic and racial care
measures for nazi aim of preparing women for their proper role+restrict oppurtunities
limited uni enrolement of women to 10%
measures for nazi aim of reducing female employment
- 1933, women in top civil service and medical jobs dismissed
- 1936, banned from being judges, lawyers
measures for nazi aim of organising women and incorporating them in the nazi volksgemeinschaft
- no female nazi members of reichstag were permitted
- two womens organisation’s created: NSF and DFW
nazi aims for young people
5
- Indoctrination
- Physical fitness – strengthening the German nation, preparation for war
- Obedience
- Sacrifice self for the national good
- Idolise the Fuhrer
nazi educational aims for young people
Anti-intellectualism
Anti-Semitism
Indifference to the weak
Nationalism
Militarism
Obedience and discipline
Hitler worship
approahces to achieving these educational aims
Reich Ministry of Education, Culture and Science
Controls on teachers and head teachers – **teachers were pressurised into joining the Nationalist Socialist Teacher’s League **and to attend one-month long training courses on Nazi ideology and physical education
Local Nazi parties monitored the Nazism of teachers and could dismiss them if they were insufficiently committed
Official manual for teachers ‘Education and Instruction’ told teachers ‘The chief purpose of the school is to train human beings to realise that the State is more important than the individual, that individuals must be willing and ready to sacrifice themselves for Nation and Fuhrer’
Curriculum – more focus on physical exercise. By 1936 it took up to two hours a day of school timetables.
Nazi ideas formed an important part of the study of biology and history and religion was removed.
From 1933, all textbooks had to be government approved and reflect Nazi values
school structures under the nazi’s
Mostly kept the existing system in tact but with some changes
Move to single sex schools to teach gender appropriate subjects
Girls: needlework, music, languages and home crafts
Boys: Latin, sciences, physical education
Abolition of denominational schools (Protestant and Catholic) by 1939
1933 National Political Institutes of Education created for boys aged 10-18 to train future leaders
Taken over by the SS in 1936 – 21 in 1938, 39 by 1943
Military style training – physical education, manual labour and political education
Adolf Hitler Schools – created by the Hitler Youth and DAF and partly intended to rival the SS schools
Only 11 created
Free boarding schools for 12-18 year olds, candidates chosen due to Aryan looks and leadership potential
Military style training as in the SS schools
Notably Nazi leaders did not send their own children to these schools!
Castles of Orders (Ordensburgen) – 3 schools housed in vast castles of 1000 students aged 25-30 partly modelled medieval chivalric orders to complete the training of future political leaders
when was the Abolition of denominational schools
by 1939
when was teh National Political Institutes of Education
1933
what was the National Political Institutes of Education
created for boys aged 10-18 to train future leaders
reduction in number of uni students
1933, 1939
1933 113,000
1939 57,000
uni education
Large reduction in the number of university students
1933 113,000, 1939 57,000
Numbers increased during the war **to 82,000 by 1944 **because of the increase in the number of female students and the **need for specialist training
**
University lecturers had to conform to Nazi values.
In November 1933 they had to sign an oath to Hitler and join the Nazi Lecturer’s League
New appointees had to attend a 6 week ideological and physical training camp
1,200 were lecturers were dismissed (10%)
About a third of the 1,200 for being Jewish and over 50% for political reasons
Students had to join the** German Students’ League** but 25% avoided it
There was compulsory fitness and ideological training and the curriculum reflected Nazi values on race and anti-intellectualism
developmemt of hitler youth
The forerunner of the Hitler Youth was created in 1926 – the German equivalent of the Scouts
The Nazis adapted the organisation and other youth organisations to its purposes when they came to power in 1933
All other non-Nazi youth organisations banned after 1936
Membership became compulsory in 1939
Purpose to indoctrinate young people into becoming good Nazis
Done through camps, sport and military training
Members had to wear uniforms
Youth organisations started off offering fun activities but over time focused more on military activities
membership of hitler youtj
1932, 1934 and 1936
1932 - 108,000
1934 - 3,500,000
1936 - 6,000,000
successfullness of youth policy
The Nazis sought to indoctrinate the young from the age of four, using youth organisations and education
The Nazis undermined intellectual learning and promoted physical fitness
Millions joined the Hitler Youth – 6 million by 1936
However membership was compulsory
Large numbers joined the Hitler Youth but increased membership meant more uncommitted members
Many people avoided membership, especially after they left school as many did after 14
**30% **of teachers willingly joined the National Socialist Teachers’ League
97% of teachers had joined by 1937
25% of students did not join the German Students’ League
There was opposition from groups like the Edelweiss Pirates and Swing groups but this was more prominent during the 1940s (so will be dealt with later)
aim of racial policies
To create a ‘racially pure’ state
= the exclusion of certain groups
pop. of jews in germany
1933, 1939
1933 – 500,000 Jews
1939 – 210,000 Jews
when were the nuremberg laws
1935
when was kritallnacht
1938
