NAZI GERMANY

HEIL HITLER

night of the long knives

30th of june, 1934. the army was unwilling to accept the nazi party until the sa were dealt with (also because sa leadership was stronger than army leadership). the ss and gestapo would eliminate prominent sa members (including 200 sa members), as well as rivals to the nazi party. an example was the assassination of ernst rohm, whom still upheld the socialist values of the earlier party.

enabling act

23rd march, 1933. allowed for the chancellor to reign free from the reichstag. it made the police, the judiciary and the politicians all one combined entity, in which destroyed the separation of powers. with this, did the nazi party assume total control, being able to act upon any objective that they could muster.

gleichschaltung

process of coordination: everything basically under nazi control - trade unions, the law, education, all aspects of society and the economy, the army.

the civil service

under the gleichschaltung. 1.6 million germans worked for this service. this sector was especially important to be under control. fortunately for hitler, this service never really liked the republic and so served his needs. as long as the nazi party enforced their ideas legally, they were content.

law for the restoration of the professional civil service

april, 1933. prevented jewish civil servants.

trade unions in nazi germany

hitler would abolish the free trade unions (as most supported left-winged parties like the kpd and the spd). unions would be raided and leaders arrested.

german labour front

was established after the trade unions were abolished by the nazi party.

the banning / destruction of all political parties

kpd banned, spd banned, other parties would dissolve in fear.

november, 1933 election

nazi party held a new election, even though it was the only party running. they gained all 661 seats.

law for the coordination of the states with the reich

april 1933, controlling all of the states. for each government, there would be a nazi party member to overlook the state and its affairs.

state parliaments abolished

january, 1934. reich took over in its place, which consisted of only nazi party members. with this was also the reichsrat abolished. this was contradictory to what hitler had promised in march of 1933 with the proceeding of the enabling act, as he had said he would not “do away with the german states”.

people’s court

april, 1934 - dealt with crimes against the state. one could not appeal in this court.

triumph of the will

1935, film created by leni riefenstahl. leni was apart of hitler’s inner circle and probably the only woman he respected. its message was showing the grand amount of support hitler had, and its prupose was to emphasise the idea that the nazi party were the ‘saviours’ of germany. she calls nazi germany the “rebirth” of germany and the end of its “suffering”.

hindenburg dies

august 2nd, 1934, aged 87. before hindenburg died, hitler created a law in which combined the role of chancellor and the president. this comes into effect with the death of hindenburg.

nuremburg laws

september, 1933, banned marriages between jews and aryans.

volksgemeinschaft

the peoples community - all germans are equal. free of class division, putting the community first, willing to die for the community. united in blood and comradery !!!

“Ein Reich, Ein Volk, Ein Führer”.

social change within german society

historians debate whether there was substantial change within societal values in nazi germany.

weimar germany women employment stats

in weimar germany, employment of women was 400% greater than in the united states

uni administration for women in nazi germany

dropped from 18,000 in 1933 to 500 in 1939.

societal treatment of women in nazi germany

were excluded from the third reich. were not seen as logical but ‘emotional’. they were to be confined to their respective family, grow to only bear children, reject the modern trends of women wearing makeup and smoking/drinking. they were told to bear at least 4 children.

law for the promotion of marriage

june, 1934. healthy couples were awarded money. there is a correlation between the introduction of this law and marriage rates, marriage rates increasing by 20%.

german mothers

women were awarded either bronze, silver or gold crosses for bearing children. if they bore more than 8, they were obliged to be saluted by the hitler youth and were seen as the greatest of all women. it is arguable though that this form of propaganda was not as effective, as most families still only had 2 children on average.

law for the protection of german blood and honour

1935. illegal to marry a jew if you were a german.

lebensborn

1936, spring of life. it entailed giving a child ‘to the fuhrer’ if you were an unmarried yet racially pure mother. these children would be raised by the nazi party.

sterilisation of the ‘imperfect’

introduced july, 1933. if you were not a perfect aryan or bore some condition, you were likely to be sterilised by the party. 400,000 would be sterilised due to this sentiment.

hitler youth

first introduced in 1922, it would be banned in 1926 but would resurface in 1931. by 1938, 7.1 million children would be apart of the hitler youth (77.2% of children).

why did the army support the nazi party ?

due to its authoritarian rule, the promise of the restoration of german prestige, and the hope of expanding the army and their territory, and overturning the treaty of versailles, this group was willing to support the nazi party.

mandatory hitler youth

in 1936, was compulsory when between the ages of 14 and 18.

education for boys

focused on indepth maths and sciences, history and biology, as well as sports and physical activity.

education for girls

girls were taught “motherly” subjects that would aid them in the future. taught basic math and science. neither boys nor girls were to learn other languages at school other than german.

religion in nazi germany

nazi germany was not infact, christian. many of their core beliefs clashed. christianity was seen as a rival to nazi ideology. despite this, the catholic church still bore great influence over the party (example was with the extermination of the t4 project). and, there were many nazi followers whom were protestant. in 1933, nazi party and the vatican signed a concordat, in which entailed the church would have no political activity. in return, the party would keep the church safe (this was later broken though).

destruction of literature in nazi germany

mass burnings of “un-german” books. in berlin, 20,000 burnt all at once. all books were to be reviwed by the reich office of literature.

music in nazi germany

classical music was largely favoured. nazis would be dismissive of foreign music though, and especially detested any music composed by jews, and so many jewish musicians would leave the country. modern experimental music and jazz were banned due to black-american ties.

architecture in nazi germany

hitler had a fondness for architecture. the architecture during the time of nazi germany was characterised by its heaviness and solid nature. many buildings were to be inspired by ancient roman and greek architecture.

art in nazi germany

art in nazi germany reflected goebbels’ objectives for propaganda: make it be able to be understood by all. and so, most modern and abstract art would be seen with distaste. art would also reflect the nazi values, such as family, the example aryan, nature, etc. goebbels would set up the ‘exhibition of degenerate art’ to mock modern/other art considered “un-german”.

economic life within nazi germany

the nazis had big dreams to change the social and political spheres, but did not know shit about economics. hitler did not even want to think upon the subject. his main idea was straightfoward; he just wanted everyone to “unhesitantly” work for the community. besides this, he strived for the improvement of living standards, and advocated for big business (as they had helped him rise to power).

unemployment in nazi germany

unemployment, by 1939, was so low that there were labour shortages. public works had been set up, the reich labour service in 1936 was introduced (6 months of compulsory labour for men aged 18-25), and the army was expanding. also a factor of less unemployment was that women were no longer categorised as employed or unemployed (as the nazi party did not want them to work as such).

germany’s reasons for economic recovery

totalitarian leadership, public was not able to input on economic policies.

focus on construction, expenditure rose.

re-arment, more people working, more businesses able to produce more.

hjalmar schact’s cntrol of imports and planning over germany’s trade allowed for germany to have access to raw materials and gained trade treaties.

the four year plan

the party strived to have german armed forces operational and mobilised within 4 years. or, the german economy must be fit for war within 4 years.

rubber, textiles, iron and steel industries were expanded. by 1940, had the greatest steelworks in the world.

oil and petroleum supplies increased.

between 1936 and 1939, 65% of industrial investment poured into war-related efforts. 55% of spending was on military forces.

treatment of workers in nazi germany

unions abolished 1933.

working hours were increased, removed ability to strike. wages only increased when germany was facing labour shortages.

through volksgemeinschaft, did the nazi party encourage workers to accept this new way of working.

workers supporting the nazi party

reasons in which workers supported the nazi party:

‘the beauty of labour’ introduced in 1933. its objective was to create a better working environment. they implemented recreation facilities, canteens. ventilation and lighting was improved. this was to boost productivity.

‘strength through joy’. leisure activities for workers to increase optimism. this included going to theatres, concerts, attending sporting activities. holidays for workers, even allowing them to travel to other nations.

the volkswagen. started beig produced in 1938, it was the ‘people’s car’. yet this one can be debated as many could not afford these (even though they were said to be affordable).

farmers in nazi germany

the nazi party had already extended a helping hand to farmers after 1925. the nazis generally believed that farmers were the most ‘pure aryan’. there came financial benefits for farmers, with both their incomes and prices for products increasing. farmers were honoured in german society due to nazi ideology.

hereditary farm law

farms could only be passed down to descendants.

propaganda

goebbels is the party member in which orchestrated most of the propaganda, being head of the ministry of propaganda. his objective was to make the messages shown be as easy to understand, so that it may reach all germans. to get every german to rally behind one, unified goal of revolution was his purpose. he used technology significantly to boost the spread and effect of propaganda.

leni riefenstahl

in 1933, hitler offered leni the opportunity to make propaganda films, and at first declined, wanting freedom, but would later become tangled within hitler’s inner circle. she would create ‘triumph of the will’ in 1934 and release the film in 1935. she was truly advanced with her camera work and composing of music. she would have unrestricted access and was out of the control of goebbels.

propaganda’s reach

goebbels would literally use everything at his disposal: radio, film, newspapers, even the creative arts and sports. he would also create rallies and special ceremonies.

nazi control over the press

october, 1933, the editorial law’. all journalists had to be registered and follow gov policy. had to be members of the reich press.

nazi control over radio

goebbels ensured that all had easy access to a radio - ‘the people’s radio’. in 1938, 9 million germans would own a radio, yet most was inturn, communal listening. goebbels would focus on sending subtle messages through music and entertainment. radio was described as a “less boring” form of consumption; it allows for the listener to use their own ‘imaginations’. it allowed those in busy positions to listen in. everyone could ‘participate fully’ in hitler’s speeches.

nazi control over cinema

reich chamber of film was an organisation that all filmakers had to join in order to release their works. all subject matters had to be approved (reich motion picture law). most films in cinema would focus on nazi beliefs and values, usually concentrating on an aryan hero, possessing all desired qualities, with jews being expressed as the villains. film was known for focusing more on emotions, rather than facts.

anti-semitic propaganda

portrayed jews as in alliance with communist russia. an example of anti-semitic propaganda was the ‘eternal jew’ of 1940, in which jews were depicted as rats. they “spread disease, plague, and are cowardly and cruel” (excerpt).

ss

established in 1925. operated separately from the law when the nazi party rose to power. they would be responsible for extermination camps. the ss members were to be ‘fully aryan’ and were ro go through strict initiation ceremonies in whch prooved of their dedication and ‘germanness’. would have 200,000 members altogether in 1939.

operational task forces (ss)

established 1939. occupied territories in europe.

waffen (ss)

military wing of the ss. would fight in ww2.

death’s head (ss)

management of extermination of minorities.

the gestapo

established 1933, the ‘secret police’. they were responsible for internal security and had the power to imprison without trial, (decree for the protection of people and state, 1933). in 1934, they would set up the first concentration camps. their significance and reign of terror is debated; they had no more than 15,000 members, many of whom did not actually fully support the party.

concentration camps

concentration camps were already put in place a few days after hitler’s chancellorship in 1933. they would first be operated by the sa. after notlk, a branch of the ss, the order of the death’s head, would operate the camps.

between 1934 - 1939, 200,000 would be admitted.

those whom would be imprisoned were: political opponents, communists and socialists, trade unionists, religious dissenters as well as jehovah’s witnesses, romani peoples, homosexuals and lastly, ofcourse, anyone speaking out publically against the party.

most would be worked to death or given the death penalty. most prisoners would be beaten and abused.

these camps would greatly expand after the commencing of ww2 and germany claimed more territory.

sd

intelligence agency, established in 1931. it would be led by reinhard heydrich.

treatment of homosexuals

in section 175, homsexuality was declared illegal, and so subsequently, 100,000 men were arrested and 15,000 were ordered to concentration camps.

the death rate for homsexuals within concentration camps would be 60%.

homosexuality would be used as an excuse for the sa wipeout, claiming that röhm was a homosexual, and so was often used as a reason to dispose of opponents.

while men were prosecuted for their orientation, women weren’t (they may have been persecuted, but it was not ‘illegal’ per se).

treatment of romani peoples

romani people were seen as ‘inferior’ and ‘unproductive’ due to their nomadic lifestyles (challenging the volksgemeinschaft).

by 1940, all gypsies would be deported to camps in poland. and, by 1945, 200,000 were killed within europe.

treatment of the mentally ill and physically disabled

nazi party ideology led to many being euthanised and killed for their ‘unworthiness’, as their living was not seen as ‘beneficial’ to the community.

t4 was a secret operation to kill ill children. by 1941 though, an archbishop spoke up against the party, expressing his distaste for the project after it had been leaked. the party would actually exterminate the project after this in august of that same year. was too late though, as 70,000 had been killed.

during the war, these peoples would be killed with pure carbon monoxide or lethal doses of medication.

by 1945, 275,000 ill peoples had been eradicated.

historians interpretations on the extent of discrimination from the german people

the leading view is that germany operated on coercion and public support. many germans would disobey the party, yet this did not go far. it is agreed that the regime did not face much opposition. many were aware of the brutality and actively participated in it due to the normalisation of discrimination that was pushed in works of propaganda.

reasons for supporting the nazi party

nazi propaganda

re-establishing of order and security

economic gains after the depression. drop in unemployment and improvement with living standards.

popularity of hitler.

restoring of national honour.

edelneiss pirates

opposition to the nazi party. young, working class men whom rejected the hitler youth and compulsory military service. most would be sent to concentration camps.

in 1944, a group of 13 were hung publicly at once by himmler.

the kreisau circle

opposition to the nazi party. consisted of conservative germans such as church peoples or scholars. they envisioned a future germany led by christianity. many would end up being executed by 1944.

the white rose

opposition to the nazi party. group of students from universities, in whcih they printed pamphlets supporting the end of the regime. its two leaders and one other member would be executed by guillotine in february of 1934.

the people’s court

would introduce laws to ‘protect the reich’. people would be trialed unfairly and given major punishments. crimes with the death penalty would increase to a number of 40. the ‘enemies of the people’ was a law to deal with those whom committed major crimes.

why was opposition ineffective within nazi germany ?

likely due to fear that came with increasing control.

there were no mass organisations that were collaboratively defying the party.

the impact of propaganda in which normalised the ideas and actions of the nazi party.

nazi success in germany until 1940.

antisemitism in 1933

already by 1933 were jews beginning to be excluded from cultural life in germany.

jewish businesses boycotted.

‘law against the overcrowding of german schools’ - removal of many jews from schools.

‘law for the restoration of a professional civil service’ - removal of jews from government roles.

‘hereditary farm law’ - jews unable to own farmland.

in 1933, the jewish population was 9 million in europe. by 1945, 6 million jews had been killed, 2/3s of the european jewish population.

nuremburg laws

implemented in 1935. oversaw the retraction of german citizenship from the jews. they would also be forbidden to marry germans.

reduction of available jobs for the jews

in 1938, jewish doctors were prohibited from working on germans.

as well in 1938, all jewish laywers were then unable to work.

identification of jews

1938, all jews had to adopt either ‘sara(h)’ (for women) or ‘israel’ (for men) as their middle name, etc. they were to also have ‘j’’s placed on their passport to be easily identifiable.

kristallnacht

the night of broken glass - november 9th, 1938. was the result of a nazi being killed by a jew. there would be an attack on jewish property and synagogues.

1000 synagogues and 7000 jewish shops and businesses were attacked. they would be smashed and destroyed and/or set alight.

hitler had no influence over how events played out, and did not plan the attack, rather it was goebbels and other party members. goebbels claimed though that the attack “erupted spontaneously” and was not “organised” or “prepared”.

the jews were forced to pay 30 billion reichsmarks for the damages.

jewish exclusion from economic life

all jewish businesses had to be registered.

jewish businesses would begin to be ‘aryanised’ by the party.

throughout the reign of nazi germany, all jewish businesses would be boycotted.

jewish exclusion from social life

unable to marry other germans.

banned from going into most public areas; were segregated.

unable to drive.

jewish people were discriminated against the harshest in rural areas.

by the end of the 1930s, no jewish child was able to go to school at all.

discrimination through the publication ‘der stürmer’ was significant in increasing anti-semitism in germany. they would be portrayed as devils and sexually motivated beings through graphic, sexual and pornographic cartoons.

hitler’s view on the jews

he saw them as the ‘absolute contrast’ to the aryan population. he believed there was a worldwide, jewish conspiracy. he was convinced in which jews in germany were working with the bolsheviks from russia.

in ‘mein kampf’, he calls the jews “parasite[s]” and calls their work “intellectual theft“, and were always searching for a “new feeding ground“.

richard overy’s view on pre-war antisemitism in nazi germany

it came in four steps:

vilification,

discrimination,

separation,

and extermination.

science in germany after nazi party rise to power

in 1933, german scientists switched their research for logic approached learning to focusing on race and political values. it was an attempt to justify racism.

law for the prevention of offspring with hereditary diseases.

introduced 1933 in july. was to sterilise those with hereditary diseases, and would further extend to those whom were mentally ill or physically handicapped. this would be compulsory.

law for the protection of the hereditary health of the german nation

an attempt to prevent the marriages of people if either party has a hereditary disease, is mentally ill or is physically handicapped. this was introduced in 1935.

ghettoisation

separation of jews from the ‘normal’ community.

400,000 jews would be in the largest ghetto. it was in warsaw, poland, and was started in 1941.

yellow star of david

jews from 1941 were to wear large, yellow stars in which were symbolic of judaism.

special action units

800 men from the SS, specifically killed jews. created in 1941, and would be able to kill 33,000 jews within 2 days through southern russia.

jews forced to hand over pets

may, 1942.

germany declared ‘free of jews’.

may, 1943.

the final solution

what the nazis had called the holocaust: it was first being arranged july of 1941. in january of 1942, heydrich would instruct the extermination of all european jews at the wannsee conference.

auschwitz

extermination camp in poland, set up 1942. at extermination camps, hair and teeth would be collected. 1.1 million would be killed during its existence, 1 million of them being jews.

polish jewish population

in poland lived 3 million jews. poland had a large, jeiwhs population of around 10.3%, in which was 30% in warsaw specifically.