Various Methods used by the Nazi Regime to Exercise Control Flashcards
SA
by early 1934, SA membership had grown to over 3 million
they were given responsibility for running the concentration camps in 1933
gestapo
established in november 1933
purpose was to protect the regime, and it became synonymous with cruelty and brutality
goering was initially placed in charge, however Himmler gained control eventually
the organs of terror under the nazi regime
SA - nazi paramilitary force who fought the nazi’s street battles. responsible for running early concentration camps however the group lost power after the Night of the Long Knives
Concentration Camps - started being used from 1933, and were initially used to hold political subjects, then social undesirables and eventually jews. Prisoners were subject to extreme brutality and depersonalised
Gestapo - responsible for internal security and acted free of judicial restraint
SS - began as Hitler’s body guard and were responsible for concentration camps after Night of Long Knives. SS men were promoted as the most racially pure and elite of the nazi regime
gestapo being small - quote
gestapo was not large enough to be the overreaching security body that its been made to believe.
“the mass of German people believed that the Gestapo and other organs of repression were the ultimate in efficiency, and this would determine the quiescent demeanour of the german people” (Webb, 2018)
propaganda and censorship (a lot)
Goebbels had been in charge of propaganda since 1929 - appointed minister for enlightenment and propaganda in 1933
opposition newspapers were closed
complete nazi control of radio - Hitler’s speeches were broadcast in full, and radio sets became very cheap. frequencies were narrow so that people couldn’t listen to foreign channels. loudspeakers were placed in public
jewish and ‘black’ music was banned and german music was encouraged
cinema and theatre were tightly controlled
mass media and arts were supressed
key example of censorship: burning of the books 10 may 1933
nazi rallies presented Nazis in a positive, triumphant light. presented as representing power, strength, unity and purpose. hitler presented as Germany’s saviour
cult of personality
established through Goebbels’ propaganda
Fuhrer Myth - Hitler as the ‘embodiment of Germany’, the ‘saviour of the german people’ and above criticism
presented as charismatic and passionate as well as sincere and caring
hitler was credited for ending the depression
anti-marxist stance stood well with most germans
often viewed as moderate
willing to act against ‘enemies of the people’
abolished ToV - restoring German pride and confidence
key parts of Goebbels’ propaganda
repetition simplicity contempt emotion masses lying marginalisation single view
Law for the Protection of State and People (Reichstag Fire Decree)
28 February 1933
- suspended civil liberties and provided a legal basis for mass arrests
- defensive against all types of opposition to Hitler’s regime
Enabling Act
24 March 1933
- created legal foundation for Hitler’s dictatorship
- abolished Weimar constitution
Law for the Restoration of the Civil Service
7 April 1933
- removed Jews and Communists from the civil service
Law Against the New Establishment of Parties
14 July 1933
- created the legal basis for a one party state
Law for the Prevention of Hereditary Diseased Progeny
14 July 1933
- allowed for the forced sterilisation of up to 300,000
Law Regarding Measures of State Self-Defence
3 July 1934
- retrospectively legalised the mass murder of the Night of the Long Knives
Law Regarding the Head of State of the German Reich
1 August 1934
- allowed Hitler to combine the offices of Chancellor and President
Law for the reconstruction of Germany’s defence force
17 March 1935
- reintroduced conscription
