The role of Hitler Flashcards
In theory, Hitler’s power was what?
Hitler’s power was unlimited
After the death of Hindenburg in 1934, what law was passed?
Law Concerning the Head of State of the German Reich
What did the ‘Law Concerning the Head of State of the German Reich’ do?
Combined the posts of president and chancellor
Constitutionally, what was Hitler commander-in-chief of?
Of all the armed services
If one studies contemporary documents, what becomes clear?
It is clear that Hitler’s personal dictatorship was portrayed in more than purely legal terms
What historian has ‘grandiose theoretical claims for ‘Fuhrer power’’?
Huber
What are the three problems that present Huber’s grandiose theoretical claims for ‘Fuhrer Power’?
There was no all-embracing constitution in the 3rd Reich. Gov. & law of Nazi Germany emerged in a haphazard fashion
No one individual could ever be in control of all aspects of gov. Thus, Hitler = still dependent on sympathetic subordinates to implement policy decisions
Hitler’s own personality and attitude towards gov. were not conductive to strong & effective leadership
What kind of leader was Hitler?
Charismatic and dynamic leader
Hitler’s magnetic command of an audience enabled him to what?
To play on mass suggestion
What did Hitler portray himself as using mass suggestion?
As the ordinary man with the vision, willpower and determination to transform the country
The image of an ordinary man with the vision, willpower and determination to transform the country was promoted by what?
By the propaganda machine
When was Hitler’s true character revealed?
Once in government
Hitler liked to cultivate the image of himself as what when in reality he was what?
As an artist, when in reality he was quite lazy
Hitler’s laziness is demonstrated by his lifestyle, list these examples.
Unusual sleeping hours
Long periods of absence from Berlin, staying in the Bavarian Alps
Tendency to become immersed in pet projects e.g. architectural plans
As he got older, became neurotic and moody, as shown in his obsession with his medical symptoms, both real and imagined
Followed no real working routine
Loathed paperwork
Disliked formality of committees in which issues were discussed
Was Hitler prepared for government and administration, why?
Ill-educated and had no experience that prepared him for gov. or administration
What did Hitler believe was the solution to most problems?
Mere willpower
Was Hitler often decisive or indecisive?
Indecisive
Despite being presented to the world as the all-powerful dictator, he showed ….
No inclination to co-ordinate the gov. of Nazi Germany
Give an example to show that Hitler had no inclination to co-ordinate the gov. of Nazi Germany
Role of cabinet declined quite markedly after 1934
How many times did the cabinet meet in 1933
72 times
How many times did the cabinet meet in 1936
4 times
When was the last official cabinet meeting held?
February 1938
What was the consequence of the declined role of the cabinet?
Rivalry between factions of the party and state was rife
Decision making became the result of the Fuhrers whim or an informal conversation rather than clear-cut chains of command
Ian Kershaw outlined an interpretation of Hitler’s style of rule as what?
As one of ‘charismatic domination’
What does Ian Kershaw’s interpretation of ‘charismatic domination’ suggest?
Hitler was crucial because he was still responsible for the overall Nazi dream
Has no real effective opposition to him or his aims
Gov. structure was chaotic, but he didn’t get lost in the detail of the day-to-day gov.
He generated an environment in which followers carried out his presumed intentions. Others willingly took the responsibility ‘to work towards the Fuhrer’
