Hitler's style of government

What is the historiography of Hitler’s leadership?

• Offers an explanation about the nature of political power, the extent of planning, the organisation of the nazi regime and the role Hitler played in decision making.

• Intentionalism

• Structuralism

• The middle way

What is intentionalism?

• Argues that Hitler was a very powerful ruler who operated in line with a master plan.

• It was always his intention to start a war in Europe and exterminate European Jews.

• Believes that the Nazi party and its ideology were manifestations of Hitler's own political beliefs.

• From 1933 Hitler had extensive power within the NSDAP and the German nation.

How do intentionalists describe Hitler?

• The master of the Third Reich.

• They also acknowledge that the state was less organised than it appeared, suggesting that this was largely due to Hitler's desire to distract those who may take his power by creating multiple departments and encouraging competing interests.

• This is social darwinism.

What is structuralism?

• Suggests that Hitler's power in the NSDAP was overstated and that he had no long-term plan.

• Hitler was an opportunist, he made decisions conveniently and spontaneously.

• They believe that a competition between the Nazi groups intensified, this became more radical as they sought to outdo each other. This led to war and genocide.

How do structuralists describe Hitler?

• They often see Hitler as a lazy dictator who possessed absolute power but lacked the energy or attention to use it.

• He relied on advisors in his inner circle and was unable to produce new ideas.

• The Nazi transformation was the work of people doing what they believed Hitler would want.

• The Hitler myth was a public perception due to the view that Germany needed a saviour.

What is the middle way?

• Most historians believe in a mix of the two schools.

• They don't doubt the importance of Hitler and his beliefs in shaping Nazi policy.

• He demanded universal respect than his authority help the fabric together.

• However, his authority was not omnipotent.

• He needed to uphold his personal popularity.

• Governmental disarray limited where he could achieve.

• People worked towards the Fuhrer.

What type of government was the Nazi state?

POLYCRATIC: a system of government made up of over lapping bodies, not very well organised.

In what ways was the Nazi state unorganised?

• Competition within its power structures as individuals and groups fought to establish their own domination within the state.

• This worsened as Party bureaucracies expanded, often operating in parallel within existing state ministries.

• The lines of power and authority between state and party, and between social and economic institutions, blurred.

What are some examples of individuals who strove for power?

• Goering created his own military-industrial complex around his roles as head of the air force. He formed close links with the industry and enriched himself in the process.

• Goebbels dominated the media and access to information through the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda.

In what ways was Hitler a powerful leader?

• Hitler played a leadership role in decision making, he was not directly involved in it however he supplied the ideas which officials would compete against each other to see through.

• His popularity meant that the regime could call on his support and made Hitler’s position in power undeniable, meaning that his ideas could become reality.

• He would sometimes step in on arguments. E.g. Hitler ended the battle for the control of the police by appointing Heinrich Himmler as chief of the German police.

In what ways was Hitler a weak leader?

• The absence of formal decision making led to confusion, with ambitious men trying to please Hitler and dividing into their own domains.

• He famously hated and avoided paperwork.

• He was often lazy, spending large portions of time away from Berlin, staying up late watching films and then waking up late in the day. Often decisions were proposed and made by men wating to please Hitler and use it to their own advantage.

• He made impulsive decisions which led to embarrassment. E.g. in October 1934 the boss of the labour front persuaded Hitler to sign a decree enhancing the authority of the labour front at the expense of both employers and the trustees of labour. This proposal had not been taken to the Ministry of Labour or economics and both protested so much that Hitler had to yield to the pressure. The decree was not revoked as it would be a mark on the Fuhrer’s reputation, however it was simply ignored. This could be a sign of weakness if Hitler’s decisions were ignored.