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Chapter 3.2: To what extent, if at all, did Hitler 's rule benefit the…
Chapter 3.2: To what extent, if at all, did Hitler 's rule benefit the people in Germany?
Political Impact
Consolidation of Power
When Hitler became Chancellor in 1933, the Nazis were not yet a majority in the parliament. The Communist Party was still their main rival for power. In March 1933, Hitler was to call another election to cement the power of the Nazi Party and win a majority in the Reichstag.
The Enabling Act
By winning a large number of votes in the 1933 elections, 44%, + the support of other small parties, the Nazi party formed a majority in the government -> allowed Hitler to introduce the Enabling Act (1933) without opposition - gave him the ability to pass laws without Hindenburg’s approval. By the time of the vote in the government – many of those who opposed Hitler’s bill from the Communist Party had already been arrested and thrown in jail. Furthermore, the SA and SS men stood outside the building only allowing Nazi Party members or their supporters into the building.
One Party Rule
With new powers given to him, Hitler further consolidated power by passing the law on One Party Rule, in May 1933. The Nazi Party was now the only legal party in Germany. Hitler was now a legal dictator.
The Reichstag Fire
On 27 February 1933, the Reichstag was set on fire. The Nazi Party accused Marinus van der Lubbe for starting it. They also accused him of having links with the Communist Party and arrested their leaders.
Hitler used the Reichstag fire to convince President Hindenburg to invoke Article 48 to suspend parliament, implement emergency measures, and rule by decree – to pass laws without the approval of the Reichstag + the signing of the Reichstag Fire Decree to suspend civil liberties -> allowing Hitler’s SA troops to disrupt the meeting of other parties before the March 1933 elections.
Night of the Long Knives
While the SA had done Hitler’s bidding, their leader Ernst Roehm became a threat to the other leaders. He also talked rashly about taking over the army. Heinrich Himmler, Herman Goering, and Goebbels convinced Hitler that the SA were a threat and so Hitler got Roehm removed.
400 men were executed. The Army pledged their allegiance to Hitler and the SA became subjected to control under Heinrich Himmler of the SS.
Economic Impact
Control of Trade Unions
In return for the support of Big Industrialist, the Nazi party banned all other Trade Unions and set up their own. All workers must join the Nazi created German Work Front. The government strictly controlled the movement of workers. They could neither protest nor ask for higher wages. They needed the government’s permission to leave their jobs -> fewer strikes, more people had work, and prices stabilised. Nevertheless, wage freezes occurred in 1935, to the detriment of the workers.
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Militarisation
Hitler introduced conscription and started making war materials again. 1.4 million men were in the army by 1939. Hitler also desired to build a modern air force- the Luftwaffe. This decision created jobs for men making war materials and boosted the economy.
Re-employment
To create work for everyone, Hitler initiated a Public Works Programme building infrastructure such as the roads, motorways (autobahn) and public buildings.
Social Impact
Rise of Secret Police
SS
Where propaganda failed, Hitler used fear to control the people. Under the Schutz-Staffel were the Death’s Head Units and SS Verfuegungstruppe. The Death’s Head Units were responsible for the Concentration Camps. They also often tortured those not loyal to the Nazi regime in concentration camps. They later set up more camps in other Nazi controlled areas in Poland and Austria.
Gestapo
The Gestapo was responsible for finding and removing threats to the Nazi party. They had unlimited powers of arrest. By 1936, Heinrich Himmler was put in command of all local police forces in Germany.
Persecution
Jews, homosexuals, Gypsies and the disabled were harshly tortured and mistreated under Hitler’s rule. The Jews had to identify themselves with the star of David. They were portrayed as evil and all of their possessions taken. They were often discriminated against because they were blamed for all of Germany’s problems such as the Treaty of Versailles, Hyperinflation, and the Great Depression. They could sit in designated areas.
Gypsies, Homosexuals, Disabled and the Handicapped fared no better under Hitler’s rule. They were viewed as parasites. Laws were enacted to control, authorise arrests and sterilise them.
Censorship
Goebbels set up the Reich Chamber of Commerce to censor any offensive media against the Nazi party. Only materials favourable to the Nazi party were allowed. Materials found unacceptable were publicly burned. Listening to foreign radio stations such as the BBC or Radio Beromuenster in Switzerland was punishable by death.
Role of Women
Whilst women had many rights under the Weimar republic, the Nazi government confined them to the roles of being a mother and spouse. They were discouraged from pursuing university studies. Instead, many German girls underwent vigorous training in domestic tasks.
Propaganda
Hitler set up a Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda with Joseph Gobbels as its head. Gobbels used every form of media to make sure that the people were loyal to Hitler and the Nazi Party.
The Hitler Youth
The Nazi viewed youth as the future of the country. They invested a lot of time and effort into youth organisations such as the Hitler Youth, Hitler Jugend. Starting out with 1000 members in 1923, it was 2.3 million strong by 1933. It aimed to groom youth into the future leaders of the Nazi party. It indoctrinated youth with the ideologies of the party. Girls could join the League of German Girls.