Living Under Nazi Rule - Germany 1933-45 (Purple for Progress)

Hitler’s Position in Jan 1933

Strengths - Nazis are the largest party in the Reichstag and Hitler is chosen as Chancellor by President Hindenburg and vice-Chancellor von Ppaen.1930s. Nazi Party offered promises for a better future (work, strong leadership, hope during the Great Depression) backed up with propaganda. Hitler was a popular speaker and his Nazi Party was well organised with its own national and local networks and private army (SA stormtroopers).

Weaknesses – The President can use Emergency powers (Article 48) and takeover running the country. Hitler does not have a majority in the Reichstag (33%). The President controls the army. President Hindenburg and von Papen plan to use Hitler to control the Reichstag.

The effects of the Great Depression in Germany

1. Life was difficult – unemployment, poverty, little support from Weimar Government.
2. The Weimar Government became unpopular as people wanted more action & change
3. Support increased for extreme political parties with new ideas (left wing = communist, right wing = Nazis)

Methods used to gain control= opportunity (unpopular Weimar Gov, fire) + democracy (eventually won election) + force (SA; banning opposition) & the conditions were ripe for change.

1933-4 – Hitler removes barriers to his leadership (political & military control)

February March April May June 1934 July Aug

How did the Nazis keep control once they were in power?

The Nazis used a combination of terror and propaganda. Different methods worked for different groups of people, depending on their view of the Nazis.

Propaganda – the Nazis targeted different people with different messages.Organised brilliantly byJosef Goebbels:

Method / Details / Effectiveness
Book burning in 1933 / Books by banned authors including Jews and Communists were burned in huge public bonfires / Made it clear that any ideas different to those of the Nazis were not acceptable
Newspapers / Opposition newspapers closed down. Nazis’ own newspapers included anti-Semitic propaganda.
Goebbels issued instructions about what could be printed. / By 1939 the Nazis controlled 2/3 of all Germans magazines and newspapers.
No opportunity for non-Nazi views
Radio / Cheap – 70% of all Germans had a radio by 1939. Could not pick up foreign stations. Loud speakers in the streets. / Hitler’s speeches in people’s homes (couldn’t be avoided). Content could be boring – Nazi speeches and German folk music
Films / By 1939 two thirds of all films were funded by the Nazis – all films (like books and plays) were censored. Some films were pure Nazi propaganda (like The Eternal Jew), but others blended stories with Nazi beliefs / Films for entertainment were popular, but pure propaganda films were less popular. However, Goebbels realised this so limited their number.
Rallies / Massive meetings celebrated Hitler and the Nazis. They involved speeches, choruses, marches and flags / Crowds were fully involved and were almost hysterical when Hitler appeared.
Posters / Posters were placed everywhere. They emphasised Hitler’s leadership of a strong Germany and the involvement of the people in making Germany strong. / A constant reminder of Nazi priorities and the God-like status of Hitler.
Berlin Olympics / Huge stadiums were built and the Aryan German athletes, carefully trained, won the most medals / Foreign visitors were hugely impressed, but all anti-Semitic propaganda was removed.

Terror – the Nazis used force to create a culture of fear. Controlled by Heinrich Himmler

Method / Details / Effectiveness
The SS / Black uniformed highly trained and ruthless. Had power of life and death. / Made terror clearly visible
The SD / The secret service – gathered all information about enemies of Nazism. Monitored the attitude of German people so helped target propaganda / SD chief Heydrich worked closely with Himmler. Highly organised.
The Gestapo / The secret police – arrested and imprisoned any opponents. Used brutal torture on opponents / Had low numbers, so could not spy on everyone, but reputation made it highly feared. Easily able to identify opponents.
Local informers (denunciations) / Ordinary Germans could contact the Gestapo to denounce others by telephone or letters / Gave Gestapo a lot of their information. Gestapo could be bogged down by trivial denunciations
Block wardens / Learnt about the lives of all people living in a small residential area – spread Nazi message and informed Gestapo about potential opposition / Changed people’s behaviour. Gave the Nazis a way a seeing what went on in people’s homes
Police and judges / Police dealt with ordinary crime, but were pleased with better funding. Supported work of terror system. Under control of SS.
Judges swore oath to Hitler. ‘People’s Court’ trials had no jury and a ‘guilty’ verdict was always given / The justice system supported Nazi ideology in every case
Concentration camps / Initially for political prisoners, then used for religious opponents, those who avoided work, and some Jews. By 1937, guards were allowed to kill prisoners without being punished themselves. / Publicised in Nazi newspapers. Grew throughout 1930s – by 1939 there were 21,000 prisoners.

Terror and propaganda worked together (there are links) gain support and stop opposition. One example is that the block wardens collected ‘winter relief fund’ (donations of money to help the poor and elderly). This acted as propaganda to spread the idea that the Nazis looked after people, but also made people fear not donating money. What other connections are there?

Opposition to the Nazis – How Strong was Opposition? How was Opposition Removed?

Why would people oppose the Nazis? No freedom of speech, different political ideas, persecution of Jewish people / other minorities – human rights, loss of intellectual freedom (artists, writers).

How could people oppose the Nazis?
Hidden Public
Reading banned books Not giving Nazi salutePrinting opposition leafletsPublic protest
Listening to the BBC Helping Nazi victims e.g hiding Jews Avoiding Hitler Youth

Why was there so little opposition?

The Nazis were popular: Made Germany strong; powerful, targeted propaganda

The Nazis focused upon keeping control:terror;propaganda;isolation (fear of rejection from society, peer pressure)

In some ways life had changed for the better under the Nazis: people felt valued & experienced improved standard of living after the Great Depression – balanced against fear of terror and loss of freedom.