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Hitler (Past Paper Questions) (Rise to Power (Context (1925-1930: Power…
Hitler (Past Paper Questions)
Aims
revise the Treaty of Versailles
Terms
Germany lost its territories in Europe to France and Poland (4 million people)
Germany lost its overseas colonies
army limited to 100,000
heavy financial reparations for war damage
clause 231: war guilt (Germany to blame for outbreak of war)
Germany emerged from WWI defeated and humiliated
Germans angered at their political leaders, ESP for signing TOV in June 1919
'November Criminals'
Germans called TOV a diktat
continued allied blockade forced delegates to sign
Socially reconstruct Germany into a 'Volksgemeinschaft'
influenced by the ideas of Social Darwinism
wanted to create a group of loyal Germans who would support the Nazi regime
Hitler wanted it to be a pure aryan race
would achieve this through anti-semitic laws
Achieve 'Lebensraum' (Foreign Policy)
meant acquiring territory in the East
would let Hitler fight communist USSR - an ideology he hated
would help unify all German speakers into a 'Greater German Reich'
Nazi Ideology
Mein Kampf
Hitler wrote Mein Kampf in prison
after he was arrested during the November 1923 Munich Putsch
this was a book, not a plan of action
more of an emotional appeal to Germany to identify their enemies and follow the Nazis in destroying them
Key Political Ideas:
conviction that politics was dialectical
there would always be opposing ideas, therefore would remain inefficient
Germany's destiny as a great Aryan nation - destroy Jews and seize Slav lands
passionate hatred for communism
state - central organisation
women - subordinate to men and shouldn't engage in politics
rejection of TOV
Rise to Power
The Essay
Introduction
Germany emerged from WWI, defeated, in debt and in ruins, with an angry population
modern historians:
multiple factors need to be understood to explain Hitler's rise
Circumstances brought about by the impact of the Great Depression
his ability to exploit the already existing weaknesses of the Weimar Republic
propaganda
Nazi aims
NSDAP/Nazi Party Programme 1921:
union of all Germans into Greater Germany
revoke TOV
gain territories to accommodate Germany's surplus population
restriction of state citizenship to those of German blood
the key issue is explaining how the Nazi party went from 12 seats (24% of vote) in 1928 to 230 seats (37% of vote) in July 1932
Hitler was elected as Chancellor of Germany on 30th January 1933
Paragraph 1: Weakness of Weimar Republic
despite its democratic appearance, the Weimar Constitution was weak
article 48, 'rule by decree' gave president dictorial powers
proportional representation in Reichstag made it difficult for one party to retain power
unstable coalitions were normal (6 between 1924-29)
Weimar government lacked the confidence of the German people
it was them who signed the diktat
Weimar Republic faced numerous violent challenges between 1919 and 1924 - but they recovered
1929 - turning point
Paragraph 2: The Great Depression
during the 1920s, the German economy was revived due to Stresemann
unemployment fell
industrial output increased
this improved the economic climate
Nazis made slow progress
October 1929, Wall Street Crash
1924, Dawes Plan
Germany now dependent on US loans
By 1930: Germany felt the effects of the depression
workers were laid off
banks/shops closed
Weimar Government had no solution
attempted to restrict foreign imports - this led to retaliation from other countries and higher unemployment in Germany
attempted to cut expenditure on welfare to cope with falling tax revenue - unpopular solution
Nazi's exploited these economic difficulties (high unemployment) to gain support
Middle class had lost savings - lost faith in Weimar (had traditionally been a class to support democratic government)
in poor economic climates, support fro extremist parties rises
NSDAP had 12 seats in 1928 and 230 seats by 1932
Paragraph 3: Nazi Appeal
unemployment saw hope in Nazis promises for salvation
intense nationalism of Nazi Party gained more support than pro-Soviet KDP
other political parties lacked a nationalistic appeal - represented sectional interests
patriots turned towards Nazis as protectors of the nation vs communism
younger voters were drawn to Hitler's populist image - he understood their needs
Landbund (Landowner Class) pledged its support for Nazis in 1931
Hitler promised he would protect them from 'land grabbing communists'
German industrialists became disillusioned with the Weimar after its economic failures - dropped their earlier objections towards Nazi movement
Hitlers anger towards TOV and 'November Criminals' appealed to all Germans
Hitler was very charismatic and an excellent orator (as shown in his rise through the party ranks in a year)
Paragraph 4: Propaganda and the 'Stab in the Back' Myth
Hitler had made contacts in 1919 with influential nationalist groups in Munich
White émirgres
- argued that the poor situation in Germany was a result of a Jewish-Bolshevik plot to undermine German culture and society
influenced Hitler
Hitler used this argument to appeal to nationalists sense of victimhood
Nazi minister of propaganda, Goebbels, creased powerful propaganda myth in the 1930s that Hitler's rise to power was providential (destined to happen)
this caused many people to put their faith in him
'Stab in the Back' myth
blamed Jews and Communists for Germany's defeat in WWI
according to Hitler, Jews were engaged in a
'worldwide conspiracy to destroy international finance as a first step towards Jewish global domination'
anti-Semitism was not the Nazi's primary campaign tactic
but allowed him to gain right wing/nationalist voters
'November Criminals'
blamed the politicians for Germany losing the war
they signed the armistice in November 1918
neither side had won
Germany had failed to win but it also had not been defeated
these politicians were now running the Weimar Government
radio/speeches/rallies were all methods used to spread propaganda
Paragraph 5: Use of Force
Nazis were effective organised
gave the impression of a powerful movement
structure included having a police force at constant disposal
the SA
unemployed men were scouted to join
they felt a sense of unity/brotherhood (e.g. wearing brown shirts)
SA instructed to attack communists/jews
using violence to suppress opposition was a key factor
SA held marches/processions which
'terrified their opponents into silence'
Nazi party gained recognition through the SA
Paragraph 6: Hitler Becomes Chancellor
1932: Hitler ran against Hindenburg for President
he didn't expect to win - he wanted to measure his popularity
Hindenburg didn't gain an outright victory in the first election
pleased Hitler
Reichstag Elections (1932)
July 1932: Nazis gained 37% of the vote
became the largest part in the Reichstag
November 1932: improvement in economic conditions
Nazis lost 34 seats
Nazi support very closely tied to economic situation
minor set back - Nazis still the largest party
Chancellors:
March 1930-May 1932: Brüning
May 1932 - December 1932: von Papen
December 1932 - January 1933: Kurt von Schleicher
30th January 1933: Hindenburg appoints Hitler as Chancellor
asked Hindenburg to let him impose military rule
Hindenburg refused
assured Hindenburg in January 1933 that Hitler would be less dangerous than von Schleicher
Hindenburg believed he could control Hitler
Conclusion
no contemporary politician was capable of matching Hitler's determination and political ability
harsh economic realities gave Nazis relevance
he calculated that for the electorate, it was more important that people knew what Nazis were against rather than what they were for
e.g. exploiting fears of communists/Jews
Hitler had combined patience and opportunism to rise to power
Hitler benefitted from protest vote - why German electorate was attracted to him
Hitler saw himself as
'above the politics in which we was engaged'
he felt it was his destiny:
'he wanted power, supreme and complete, and was convinced that if we talked often enough and aroused the masses sufficiently, he must in due course be swept into office'
what conditions/circumstances enabled a single party ruler to come to power?
to what extent was support for ideology a key factor in a single party ruler Rise to Power?
'"the rise to power of authoritarian or single-party leaders was the result of the failure of existing regimes to address the economic problems of the population." To what extent do you agree with this statement?'
'"popular support, rather than the use of force, was vital to the establishment of singe-party states." With reference to two states, each chosen from a different region, to what extent do you agree with this statement?'
'assess the role of each of the following in the rise to power of Stalin and Hitler: ideological appeal; underestimation of opponents; propaganda.'
'assess the contribution of economic instability and lack of a united opposition to the rise to power of two leaders of single-party states, each chosen from a different region'
'in 1924 Hitler wrote. "the masses of the population are more affected by rhetoric than by any other force. All great movements are popular movements." To what extent do you agree with this assertion?'
'evaluate the contributions to the rise of power of Hitler of each of the following: National Socialist ideology; the use of force; economic crises'
'examine the reasons for, and the extent of, support for Hitler up to the end of January 1933'
Context
Hitler was attracted to the Munich based German Workers Party (DAP)
in 1920, DAP renamed itself Nazi Party/NSDAP (Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party)
Hitler rose the ranks and became leader in 1921
Party Programme: Union of All Germans into Greater Germany; revoke TOV; gain territories (to accommodate Germany's surplus population); restriction of state citizenship to those of German blood
SA - armed forces of Nazis (led by Ernst Röhm) wore brown shirts and helped silence opponents
Nov 1923: failed Munich Putsch, Bavarian police fired on marchers, Hitler arrested
Hitler wrote Mein Kampf in prison
19234: Hitler intent on gaining power democratically
he hoped to exploit the Weimar's weak electoral system
Hitler:
'instead of working to achieve power by an armed coup we shall have to hold our noses and enter the Reichstag against the Catholic and Maxist deputies. If outvoting them takes longer than outshooting them, at least the results will be guaranteed by their own constitution!'
1925-1930: Power Struggle
when Hitler changed his approach in 1924 (wanted to win democratically) - factions formed (some wanted to continue with violent methods)
Otto/Greggor Strasser were the main opponents, they believed that Nazism should be more socialist (the attacked German industrialists) but Hitler believed industrial support was vital
when Otto Strasser attempted to split NSDAP by establishing the Union of Revolutionary Socialists - very few others joined, and it was expelled in 1930
Hitler had secured control, nazism=hitlerism
Why and to what extent did Hitler have support by January 1933?
Why?
weaknesses of Weimar
targeting of blame
use of force
use of propaganda
depression/harsh economic conditions
Nazi ideology
What extent:
Hitler appealed to a broad selection of the German public
including industrial workers, farmers, small business owners and professions such as teacher and lawyers
Numerically, the largest single supporting group was industrial workers
but disproportionately less successful with them
because Socialists (SPD) and Communists (KPD) retained their appeal
Nazis were stronger in the Protestant north than the Catholic south
stronger in countryside than towns and cities
appealed successfully to women and older generation
big businesses were slow to support Hitler, but their role in the final few months before hitler took power was vital
they began to donate substantial sums to the Nazis
business and financial leaders helped bring Hindenburg and Hitler together in January 1933
Historiography
Gerhard Ritter
the Weimar republic collapsed in 1933 due to its inability to win the confidence of the general public. The popular resentment towards Weimar republic was a major factor in helping Hitler seize power in 1933
Ian Kershaw
chance, luck and tragic miscalculation were a major factor bringing Hitler to power, and causing the downfall of the Weimar republic. There was nothing inevitable about Hitler's triumph in 1933
E. Anderson
a major factor contributing to the collapse of the Weimar republic was the shrewdness of the political leaders in the Nazi party. The government believed they could control Hitler in his new position as chancellor in 1933. However, they were wrong Hitler managed to outmanoeuvre the government and establish a single party state thanks to his position as chancellor
Consolidation and Maintenance of Power
The Essay: Hitler's Consolidation of Power January 1933- Augsut 1934 and the extent to which Legal Methods were used
Introduction
Hitler had been elected Chancellor on 30th January 1933
believed they could control him
within 2 months of becoming Chancel, Hitler had largely removed the constitutional limits to his authority
two key events
Reichstag Fire
Nazi success in the last Reichstag election
Hitler wanted to consolidate his authority via constitutional means
wanted Reichstag to pass Enabling Bill to give him personal power
he therefore, persuaded Hindenburg to hold an election in March
Piers Brendon:
'to consolidate his position as Chancellor, Hitler insisted on holding a democratic election to end democracy'
Paragraph 1: The Reichstag Fire, February 1933 and the 'Shooting Decree'
February 1933, Dutch communist set fire to Reichstag building in Berlin
despite being a lone-action attack, Nazi's denounced it as a 'large-scale communist plot'
Goebbels mounted an aggressive propaganda campaign
asserted that the only government that could save Germany from a communist revolution was the Nazis, led by Hitler
led to the Reichstag Fire Decree
used as a legal basis for imprisonment of anyone considered to be opponents of Nazis
key step in Nazi consolidation of power
allowed SA to terrorise other parties into silence (e.g. arrest/terrorise/vandalise KPD party)
Paragraph 2: The Reichstag Election (March 1933)
under Weimar constitution, 2/3 majority in Reichstag needed for the Enabling bill to pass
Hitler needed to prevent KPD/SPD returning to Reichstag as majorities
a persuasive and aggressive election campaign was successful for the Nazis
NSDAP vote increased from 33% to 44% (gained 228 seats, SPD had 120 and KPD had 81)
to obtain a 2/3 majority, Hitler needed Zentrum and DNVP to vote for Nazis
to do this, Hitler persuade leaders of these parties, Ludwig Kaas and Alfred Hugenberg to join him
1 more item...
Goering's use of Sturmabteilung (SA) who opened fire of communists was legalised by the 'shooting decree/Reichstag fire decree'
March 1933: Enabling Bill passed 441 votes to 94 in the Reichstag
Enabling Bill was a Weimar constitution amendment that gave the Chancellor power to enact laws without the involvement of the Reichstag
there would be no constitutional restriction on his personal authority
Mein Kampf:
'one person must have absolute authority and bear all responsibility'
Paragraph 3: Gleichschaltung (1933-34)
within a year, Hitler used the Enabling Bill to turn Germany into a one-party state
by using the Enabling Law all his following actions were legal
in a process called Gleichschaltung, Hitler:
brought the parliaments in all individual states under Nazi control
outlawed all other political parties (apart from NSDAP)
destroyed the trade unions as an independent force
subordinated the legal system to Nazi control
Begun the process of removing Jews from public offices
Coerced Churches into accepting the Nazi regime
Paragraph 4: Crushing Opposition, The Night of the Long Knives (June 1934)
Hitler conducted a violent purge in June 1934: 'Night of the Long Knives'
to prevent opposition to Gleichschaltung from within his own party
thousands were executed
Ernst Röhm (leader of SA) arrested and shot
accused of preparing a putsch against Hitler
was a socialist revolutionary - wanted workers/soldier to run society
Army backed Hitler's actions against Röhm - loyalty to Hitler was vital
SA had played a key role in the rise of Nazism
but Hitler had no use for them anymore
SA not immediately disbanded
replaced by a more powerful body: SS
Paragraph 5: Hitler Becomes Prudent (August 1934)
August 1934: Hindenburg dies
Hitler added presidency to his chancellorship
2 weeks later, plebiscite asking Germans if they approved of Hitler's extension of power passed
92% of 30 million Germans voted yes
Hitler's supreme power recognised when he adopted the title: Führer
Conclusion
Hitler consolidated power legally
but Nazi conception of law was out of line with conventional norms
'what methods were used by a single-party ruler to consolidate power and with what success?'
The Essay: 'define "totalitarianism" and assess the extent to which it was achieved in Hitler's Germany'
Was Hitler a 'Strong' or 'Weak' leader?
Weak
German scholars (e.g. Hans Mommsen and Martin Broszat)
argument:
despite appearing totalitarian, Hitler was not all-powerful
reasons:
Hitler was indecisive
instructions were not always carried out
political/administrative system of Nazi Germany prevented Hitler from dictating policy
'the will of Hitler'
Strong
Alan Bullock and Richard Evans
argument:
although Hitler delegated the duties of government, this did not diminish his power
policy of encouraging rivalry among ministries and institutions increased his power
reasons:
Enabling Act and Gleichschaltung left Hitler as 'the supreme judge of nation'
no open defiance among ministers/officials
only political party permitted was the Nazi Party
opposition treasonable
trade unions abolished
Legal system operated in Hitler's name - judges swore allegiance to him
Churches either supportive or stayed quiet
German press entirely pro-Hitler
Reichsbank subservient to Hitler
Reichstag - exclusively Nazi body
Cabinet stopped meeting after 1937
armed services swore oath of loyalty to Hitter
from 1938, Hitler was commander-in-chief
Was Hitler a Structuralist or Intentionalist?
Intentionalists: Hitler's polices were the result of his deliberate planning
Structuralists: Hitler subjected to pressures, obliging him to adopt policies he didn't choose
Hitler's Authority
limitation of structuralist view
although he may not have initiated policies, no policy proceeded without his approval
policies Hitler backed were unchangable
everything done in Germany post 1933 was done in Hitler's name
'the Will of Hitler;
during wartime, Hitler's authority was absolute
he was commander-in-chief since 1938
everything had to go through him
he ran the war
generals frustrated - knew he was making errors but had no power over him
Ian Kershaw:
weak/strong and intentionalist/structuralist terms are complementary not contradictory
'weakness' conveys notion of absence of power
but Hitler often chose to let others use power in his name - not a weakness but delegation of authority
in Hitler's case this was a style of government
Totalitarianism: a system of government that is centralized and dictatorial and requires complete subservience to the state.
form of government that theoretically permits no individual freedom and that seeks to subordinate all aspects of individual life to the authority of the state.
'by what methods, and with what success, did one single-party leader try to eliminate domestic opposition'
'with reference to one totalitarian state, analyse the nature and extent of domestic opposition and the methods used to deal with such opposition'
'with reference to one authoritarian or single-party state, to what extent do you agree that the media was dominated by propaganda'
'examine the view that internal opposition to Hitler had little impact'
The Essay: Opposition to Hitler
Introduction
no consistent organised resistance movement
but opposition still existed
difficult to oppose Nazis after they came to power in 1933
because opposition was suppressed
Resistance coincided with uncertainty
e.g. 1932: Germans doubted war
e.g. 1942-45: when Germany was suffering military defeats
opposition rarely a moral objection - opposition was strongest when Germany was in a poor situation
ultimately, resistance had no real impact
impossible to destroy totalitarianism from the inside
Hitler's popularity lasted unti 1942
even after this and despite Germany's weakness in the war, people were afraid to revolt
challenging Hitler was illegal
Paragraph 1: Opposition from Left
socialists/communists never able to organise fully-fledged resistance
they were aways suppressed
from 1933: 1,000 SPD members and 150,000 KPD members were held in concentration camps
by 1935: Communists had been driven underground
Nazi-Soviet Pact (1939) led to a decrease in communist persecution
began again in June 1941
opposition from left had little impact
Hitler easily suppressed them
Workers from left restricted
trade unions destroyed during Gleichschaltung
Labour front replaced
those who belonged to illegal trade/labour organisations were executed
Paragraph 2: Opposition from the Right
main opposition came from right, not left
Schwartz Kappe
a loosely defined organisation
commonality - disliked Hitler's leadership
many aristocrats joined - saw Hitler as 'vulgar' and his war policies as destructive
prominent Prussian officers also joined
protested against German seizure of Czechoslovakia (1939)
'The Kreisau Circle'
a gathering for those concerned about Germany's future
couldn't agree on what actions to take
couldn't agree on ethical qualms about assassinating Hitler
by 1944: many saw assassination as the last resort to save Germany
July Bomb Plot (1944)
Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg
after 1939, there had been 15 attempts to kill Hitler
most were individual actions, therefore ineffective
some serious attempts had taken place within the army
the army were the most discontent with Hitler (especially after 1942)
military personnel had closer access to Hitler
Stauffenberg regularly attended meetings with Hitler to discuss strategy
aim: establish a government of generals who would make peace with the allies
result:
bomb went off during the meeting - but Hitler survived
did not weaken Hilter - he saw it as
'fate was on his side'
Plotter (including Stauffenberg) were executed by show trials
Paragraph 3: Opposition from Youth/Churches
White Rose group
1942: 5 students at Munich university were disgusted at the brutality of the Nazi regime in occupied Europe
Hans and Sophie Scholl (with their professor) distributed 'White Rose' leaflets
these leaflets drew attention to the inhumane acts being committed
During the battle of Stalingrad (1942-43) the White Rose sent leaflets accusing Hitler of sending young men to their death
someone at the university exposed them (janitor spotted them releasing leaflets from a suitcase)
arrested, interrogated and guillotined
whether or not their leaflets impacted public opinion, Hitler's ultimate authority was not threatened
the key weakness of opposition was the failure to organise
Edelweiss Group
opposed Nazis 'immoral' values
had strong catholic associations
began infiltrating Hitler youth
Gestapo began hunting down members
1944, 12 young Edelweiss hung publicly in Cologne
didn't have a great influence on German people or Hitler
Swingjugend
opposed Nazi's image of 'responsible serious youth'
passive resistance movement with an affinity for American jazz
many Catholic priests/churches condemned Nazism
most arrested or assassinated
Conclusion
AJP Taylor:
'Hitler was the most popular leader of any European country in modern Europe and it was silly to claim otherwise'
opposition had little impact
Hitler was seen as a saviour
opposition only became significant from 1942 onwards
Nazism answered the needs/aspiration of majority of people
Nazism collapsed because of allied arms - not internal resistance
Domestic Policies
'to what extent did the economic policies of a single-party ruler contribute to the maintenance of their power?
'compare and contrast the treatment of minorities in two authoritarian or single-party states, each chosen from a different region
'assess the successes and failures of a single-party ruler's rule and to what extent were promises fulfilled?'
'evaluate the success of Hitler's domestic policies between 1933 and 1939'
' "Hitler's rule in Germany gave most Germans what they wanted in the years 1933-1939." To what extent do you agree with this statement?'
The Essay: Hitler's Economic Policies
Introduction
aims:
recover from disastrous economic depression of 1929/30
reduce unemployment
achieve autarky
Hitler believed that they needed to start rearmament to prepare for war
'the future of Germany depends on rebuilding armed forces' [Hitler]
Hitler left economic plans to ministers and demanded that they prepare for rearmament
Hitler was less concerned on improving living standards
more concerned with creating a strong industrial economy for war
no consistent economic plan in Germany
Nazi ideology contained a few socialist elements
in order to appeal the workers
e,g, profit sharing between managers and workers in factories
but economic plans were not socialist
Paragraph 1: Policies of Hjalmar Schacht (1934-37)
1934: Hitler appointed Hjalmar Schacht as Minister of Economics
Schacht didn't like Hitler, but he admired his strength
helped tackle inflation and stabilise the German currency in 1923
basic aim: financial and economic growth
established 'Organisation of Industry' with business guilds, employers etc.
organisation promoted trade successfully
many countries began to advance loans to Germany
helped raise capital
revenue raised taxes reinvested into the government
New Plan (1934)
aim: end unemployment from depression
Schemes created to raise employment
public work projects - e.g. road repair, autobahn building, forest clearing, building new hospitals and schools
many between 18-25 years of age, joined national labour service for 6 months
were directed to work in areas where it was most needed
Paragraph 2: Rearmament and Goering's Four Year Plan
Hitler's main objective - rearm
he wanted military strength to expand eastward
Schacht wanted to introduce rearmament once the economy was truly strengthened
by 1935, funding was becoming available for rearmament
this was too slow for Hitler
Hitler hired Hermann Goering to push Germany towards rapid mobilisation
Goering's Four Year Plan began in October 1936
aim: achieve autarky (economically self-sufficient)
labour force brought under tight control
so that arms production would be more efficient
increased import controls to protect German manufacturers
production of synthetic substitutes for rubber and oil increased (less imports would be needed)
autarky
modern historians argue that complete autarky is impossible for an advanced nation
1939: Germany was still importing 1/3 of its resources
results:
economic advances had been made
especially within the industrial sector and consumer goods
industrial growth allowed major arms spending - help prepare for war
but when war arrived in 1939, there were fears that Germany was not sufficiently prepared
unemployment decreased from 6 million (1933) to 100,000 (1939)
however the latter figure does not include Jews
this decrease meant Hitler had achieved one of his aims
Paragraph 3: Wartime Economy
managing the economy during wartime was inefficient
because there was no specific body in charge
government departments lacked communication
Nazis were not the super-efficient state that propaganda stated
1942: Hitler appointed Albert Speer as minister of armaments/war production
transport/freight movements streamlined - bottlenecks avoided
despite allied bombings, Speer doubled armament production (e.g. tanks)
Speer maintained high output until 1944
but factories and plants were suffering from allied attacks
used slave labour (foreigners)
people seen as economic units
Conclusion
did he achieve his aims?
recovered from economic depression
reduced employment
but not fully prepared for war
even in 1940: UK/France outproducing Germany in terms of war materials
Nazis were short on raw materials and lack of oversea imports
Allies had massive colonial empire to draw on - Nazis didn't
Autarky had failed
The Essay: Hitler's Social Policies
Paragraph 1: Education
a means of promoting Nationalist Socialist ideas
Napolas - boarding school training academies for young Nazis
Nazi school curriculum - heavy emphasis on race/ideology
textbooks modified to include race theories
Argans - good
Jews - bad
history was re-written - Jews presented as having undermined the great achievements of Germans throughout history :
religious curriculum excluded from schools
Churches - traditional education providers
Jews demoted/dismissed from teaching positions
Jewish students banned from university
if a teacher spoke out against Nazi policies their career was ended
Paragraph 2: Hitler Youth and the BDM
Nazis wanted the young to feel like they belong to the new Nazi society/Volk
boy youth groups (Hitler Youth)
Patriotism, loyalty, putting the Führer before yourself
emphasis on activities/outdoor life
prepare them to be strong fighters for military (closer to war, more military drills)
camping and outdoor activities/fun games - intimidation and oath to loyalty
female equivalent to boy's Hitler youth
League of German Maidens (BDM)
prepare them to be homemakers/child bearers
overall aim for both genders
create loyalty
willingness amongst youth to sacrifice themselves for the greater good of the nation
emphasis on nationalism/anti-individualism
indoctrinate with Nazi ideology
at first, membership was voluntary (with peer pressure)
1932: 108,000 members
1940: 7.3 million members
1936: all other youth groups banned
Successes:
95% loyal to Hitler
rapid membership increase after 1933 - compulsory membership
brainwashed kids - students prepared to sacrifice themselves for Nazi loyalty
BDM gave young women a sense of pride and self-worth
Failures:
many youth escaped compulsory membership
rival groups emerged
many turned away from Hitler Youth in late 1930s
Hitler Youth become less successful when military training and Nazi lectures became more significant
growing opposition to Hitler Youth
Paragraph 3: German Labour Front
largest organisation - German Labour Front (began 1933)
aim:
regulate German workforce along military lines
each worker - 'soldier of the economy'
to achieve this:
trade unions destroyed/came under state control
wage rates/conditions - non-negotiable