Hitler’s Authoritarian Third Reich

How did the authoritarian state emerge?

1.discredited parliamentary system

2.Germans unhappy with Post treaty of Versailles settlement, want to revise it

3. Poor economic conditions that led to political extremism

4.fearing left leaning organizations due to Bolshevik revolution

5.political groups teaming up in vested groups (such as Nazis) to advance their own social gains

6.appealing leadership skills (charismatic, pragmatic, etc.)

November Revolution/German Revolution

A civil conflict in the German Empire at the end of the First World War that resulted in the replacement of Germany's Imperial government (after Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates the throne) with a republic (Known as the Weimar Republic), led by the Social Democratic Political Party (SPD). This group signed the Armistice, ending WWI.

Spartcist Uprising (1919)

Group that failed to overthrow the WR (Weimar Republic).

Introduction of steps to overthrowing the WR

WR makes constitution that is based on democracy and popular sovereignty. Governing/legislative body known as Reichstag. External and internal problems within the republic allowed for political groups to exploit and undermine the govt.

Stage 1 (1918-19)

-after Germany's loss and republic is formed, Germans hope that the new signs of democracy will make allied powers be nice to them in the treaty of Versailles (Dikat)

-article 231 in Dikat(aka war guilt clause): Germany started the war, pay reparations, and lose a lot of privileges (colonial empire, military, and land)

-additionally, with Locarno Pact, Germany could not violate treaty or else other allied powers would conquer them.

-Germans are upset and think it's unfair, increasing nationalism and hating the republic for signing the treaty

Stage 2: 1919-1923

-WR now lead by Fredrich Erbert, established a contract with military to protect itself (the military only defended the republic if they wanted to)

-defended the WR from Spartcist attack to repel Bolshevism

-WR created a progressive constitution, but article 48 (states that in an emergency the president has total power), is later exploited by Hitler to gain power

-Economic crisis in 1923: post wwi, French controlled Germany's Ruhr (industrial land) didn't allow workers to work, so to compensate, the government printed more money. This increased inflation and hatred toward the government.

-WR Government at the time resigned, replaced by a coalition of political groups (SPD, Zentrum/BVP, and DVP), led by Gustav Stressman.

-with US help, Stressman led the Dawes Plan (US helps pay German reparations), leading to the golden era

-Hitler conducts his failed Beerhall Putsch (uprising)- eventually jailed and writes Mein Kampf, the manifesto for Nazi Beliefs

NSDAP/ Nazis

-founded in 1920, organization spied on small groups

-Hitler creates 25 point program (broadly outlined goals and values), target population to gain support

political parties in Weimar Republic

-Majority of governing body are moderates

-Far left party: KPD (communist party)

-Left parties: SPD (social democrat), DDP (Democrat)

-slightly central: Central Party (Zentrum/Bavarian People's Party)

-right party: DVP (German People Party)

-Far right party: DNVP (German National people party), NSDAP (National Socialist German Workers party)

Political belief difference between the far left and right

Far right: increase government, want a strong army, pro capitalism, law and order, nuclear family

Far left:pro worker, work with people internationally

Stage 3: 1924-1929

-Known as the golden era under Stressman (due to the economic conditions improving)

-After Dawes Plan, Young Plan established to further lower reparation payments, thereby bettering economy!

-reflected in the government, as leftist parties dominated (especially the SDP)

- support to extremist parties (NSDAP and KPD) lessened, since they used economic and and social strife to gain support.

-Hitler decided to take power via parliament, rather than uprisings (known as putsch)

Stage 4: 1930-1933

-Economic turmoil begins again with the Wall Street crash (increased unemployment and cost of living).

-people upset and NSDAP uses this to their advantage. In the next election in 1930, the parliament increases in extremist groups

-after this election, the government power lied in to a few individuals (known as the president cabinets) chosen by President Paul Von Hindenburg

-Hindenburg appoints Heinrich Bruning to his cabinets. Bruning (known as the Hunger Chancellor) enforced an unsuccessful deflation policy. Very unpopular among Germans, increasing support to extreme groups.

-replaced by Fraz Von Papen (known as the Barons Cabinet, due to prioritizing serving the aristocrats needs rather than addressing the economic and social issues). Eventually resigns.

Stage 4 continued

-Fearful of uptick in Communism, Von Papen (and other aristocrats), convince President Hindenburg for Hitler to be chancellor

-Hitler appointed via Political Jobbery

Stage 5: January to March 1933

-some members within the cabinet think that they can manipulate Hitler to do their bidding.

-leftist groups SPD and KPD refuse to work together to fight NSDAP. KPD accuses the SPD of being traitors and helping the aristocracy after the SPD government crushed the Spartacist uprising.

-Communist International (Comintern) supported groups like SPD to spread communism internationally

-This division made Hitlers consolidation of power easy.

Stage 6: 1934

-with left parties divided, Hitler leads NSDAP to make connections with other right groups to have opportunities to sieze powers.

-got financial support from industrialist and DNVP

-DNVP partnership (led by businessman Alfred Hugenberg) provided opportunities for Hitler to spread his propaganda (through film and press via UFA cinema) and paint himself and Germanys savior, increasing NSDAP support

-NSDAP being consistent in policy, led elites to hire Hitler as the savior against the economic and social turmoil

-1933, through collaborating with other groups, NSDAP consolidated power, with Hitler establishing the authoritarian gov in 1934

Hitler's consolidation of power 1933

-Nazi describe Hitlers becoming Chancelor in 1933 as a seizure of power. Now they needed to get rid of their opponents (through bribery and intimidation)

-To increase NSDAP in Reichstag, Hitler held an election in 1933. Was successful but it wasn't an absolute majority. Teamed up with the DVNP to gain the power needs to gain authoritarian rule.

-had brown shirts/SA attack SPD/KPD

-After the Reichstag caught on fire thanks to Van der Lubbe, Hitler blamed the KPD, and outlawed the organization. Also got permission by president Hindenburg to suspend basic rights like the freedom of press.

Enabling Act of 1933

-Reichstag meetings now in Kroll Opera House

-Hitler proposed law this enabled him and his cabinet to enact laws without the participation of the Reichstag

-has the NSDAP and DNVP, but needs a 2/3 majority to pass law

-threatened and intimidated SPD from attending meeting for voting. Got support from BVP/Zentrum by promising to protect Catholic Church Rights.

-With the NSDAP, DNVP, and BVP support, the law passed and was signed into law by Hindenburg

-this plan helped start the Nazi strategy of Coordination/Gleichschaltung (NAZI consolidate power in all areas of life, from military to labor unions!)

Law for the Reestablishment of Civil Service

-government can remove all anti Nazi/non aryan people (remove Jewish people in many powerful spheres of influence, like education, and anyone hostile towards NSDAP)

-the removal of opposition in powerful position allowed old fighters (NSDAP party ogs) and March Violets (joined party to advance careers) to gain power.

Abolition of Trade Unions

-associated with leftist (bad), so outlawed and replaced with the German Liberation Front (DAF) run by the Nazis

-additionally, by July 1933, a single party state was established (BVP, DVP, and DNVP dissolved, leaving only the NSDAP)

The Night of the Long Knives

-after purge of civil service, an internal party purge needed to happen. So a purge of the SA happened.

-rivalries prevalent (ie SA leader Ernst Rohm vs Chief of SS Heinrich Himmler) and an alledged 2nd revolution by Rohm led to Rohm and supporters being slaughtered.

-government justified their actions by passing the Law Relating to National Emergency Defense Measures (they were going to commit treason)

-this solidified Hitlers control of NSDAP and paramilitary groups (SA + SS)

-in 1934, President Hindenburg dies. Hitler declares himself Fuhur, starting his dictatorship.

-army happy that Rohm gone, they take an oath of loyalty.

Methods Hitler used to consolidate power

-Demonization of "different groups" (Jews, Marxism, traitors that signed Dikat)

-Violence, Intimidation and Murder: seen by the Beerhall Putsch (uprising) and Paramilitary groups like the SA and SS

-Abusing the democratic system by outvoting opponents and expanding the NSDAP into a national party to gain more support

-use all types of media to spread propaganda (thank propaganda head, Joseph Goebbles)

-have charisma and a powerful way to convert messages with people

Nazi ideology, beliefs, and goals

-Palingenesis (national rebirth), nationalism, anti-Semitic

-targeted the disillusioned, frustrated, and fearful

-pragmatism: (remain flexible by adding or dropping original Nazi ideas in order to advance cause). Seen when he worked with industrialist even though initially they were anti capitalist.

Opportunism: Saw current bad circumstances and influenced other son the promise to better their conditions (with slogans like bread and butter)

Bribery: How they worked with many groups like the DNVP, BVP, and army

The opposition during the Third Reich (1934-1945)

-majority of Germans like Nazi regime due to the economic and social opportunities present.

-the small minority who wanted to rebel (due to a moral/ethical obligation) did so subtlety (not saluting, making jokes about Hitler)

- powerful-ish groups (like the left, military, or church) tried and failed at opposing the NSDAP

-to combat this behavior, an all seeing secret police force (Gestapo) established.

Opposition from the Left and KPD

-In 1933, left were targeted by SA soldiers. Were arrested and sent to concentration camps. In productive custody, they were forced to be re-educated.

-although outlawed, KPD groups continued to spread communist and anti nazi ideals through leaflets and newspaper.

- Commiterm teamed up with them to try and repaint the negative narrative Nazi put on communism. Failed.

-Eventually, due to USSR teaming up with Hitler (until Operation Barbarossa) and the looming threat of Gestapo, the party was unsuccessful in protesting

-many small communist groups however had minimal impacts, still spreading leaflets tho

-Gestapo rounded up many communist groups

Opposition from SPD

-after party dissolved to make room for Nazi, SPD members that were anti Nazi spread newspapers and leaflets.

-not too successful in starting major opposition due to the Gestapo and the economic opportunity present. Members also had little time to hold meetings thanks to work.

Opposition in the military

-during 1934, some military members team up with conservative German politicians due to not liking controlling nature of Hitler.

-those who questioned Hitler methodologys were booted. this is how Hitler become supreme commander in military.

-main other groups within military established to protest Hitler, with little to no success. One notable one was Beck-Goerdler, who teamed up with the Abwehr (German intelligence)

Opposition in Protestant Church, Jehovah Witness

-Head of Christian church, Ludwig Muller, creates pro Nazi church (Reich Church)

-church members not a fan! But never spoke out

-JW:staunchly anti Nazi, eventually sent to Concentration Camps.

Youth/Student Opposition

-very few groups (pre Hitler) weren't a fam of Hitler's Youth groups. So opposed, though they weren't seen as real threats.

-in 1942, White Rose Group established: passive resistance to regime, want peace!

Propaganda

-Joseph Goebbles employed propaganda as tool for mobilizing a population built to support the mind and spirit for Germany, promote Nazi ideology and build cult following for Hitler.

-out if all the ways to spread propaganda, radio is his fav medium!

Tools used to spread propaganda

-cheap radios/people receivers massed produced

-press: through coordination, Nazi removed all anti Nazi books/writings/writers, and to submit their work, they must follow specific guidelines (German heroism, pro Nazi)

-Mein Kampf seen as golden standard

-music: no Jewish composers and no composers, spread Hitlers fav composer (Wagner)

-film controlled by Nazi, displayed Nazi ideals and the strength of Germany

-mvp filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl created films like Triumph of the Will and Olympia

-theatre: remove all anti Nazi people/works, focused on pro Germany plays

-art: purge Jewish/anti Nazi and modernism art. Museums got raided to remove these items.

effects of propaganda

-indoctrinated many Germans of accepting Nazi Ideology

-those who opposed were silent due to fear of consequences

-these two factors secured the power of the party with little dissent

--People outside of Germany think its really weird, as reflected by the 1938 Olympic Controversy (countries either didn't go or were thinking about not going.)

Third Reich Foreign Policy

-believe in expanding Germanys borders through pillaging land and getting payback from Dikat.

-believed in Lebensruam (living space) to expand germanys borders

-started by remilitarizing the Rhineland unopposed, then got some land from Sudentland, restoring many Germans pride! See Hitler as the "protector of German rights"

-these big wins would be the downfall of the government, extending German forces outside the country (Waffen SS) weakened them, and they lacked supplies.

Domestic policies of Hitler

Employment: used 4 year plan to make jobs to prepare for war (either public works/industrial jobs). Had incentives for women to give up their jobs led to a higher employment rate for men.

Economy recovery: made big businesses and private enterprises hold contracts for people to fulfil roles. No unions, so no collective bargaining or strikes!

-president of bank, Hjalmar Schacht, made new plan (use Mefo bills as a form of currency)

Public works projects: Build Public Faculties (schools, hospitals, etc.) to allow Germans to give back to their community. State Labor Service (RAD) established to help achieve this goal.

4 year plan

Goal was to Prepare Germany for a war in 4 years (by increasing production of essential items like coal, explosions, and more)

-as a result, less items available for consumer

-unsuccessful, but that's how they came up with the blitzkreg tactic (quick victories, then exploit conquered land to get resources)

-good strategy until USSR used scorched earth policy

Domestic Policy Cont.

Education system: goal is to indoctrinate kids of Nazi ideology

-teachers purged of anti Nazi people/ideals. Must join National Socialist Teacher League (NSLB) to ensure conformity to Nazi goals

-Nazi education focused on sports (to maintain health physic), Biology (used eugenics aka selective breeding to justify racism), History (speak on past German greatness), and Germanics (expand knowledge about Germany)

Youth Groups: not focused on academic advancement, rather social gathering. Males had Hitler Youth group, females has League of German Maiden. Apart from school, Most of time was spent here, removing parent's influence on their kid.

Women: Hitler wants them in the house! Don't get a job and take care of your family. Have more babies but no abortions. Hitler restricted their education/ job opportunities until the war started, then they were allowed to do so.

-Had social organizations (like the National Socialist Women organization) to talk about Nazi ideals

Impact of policies on minorities

Beggars and Homeless: forced to carry permits, had to work for their lodging. Eventually sent to detention centers.

Homosexuals: Gestapo arrested and sent them to concentration camps (identified by a pink triangle)

Jehovah's Witness: because of their anti Nazi ideals, they are sent to concentration camp. (Identified by a violet triangle)

Biological outsiders: Roma/Sinti people of Eastern Europe seem as a problem due to their nomadic way of life (and race). Research Center of Racial Hygine: tested people for being Senti/Roma. If found to be part Senti/Roma, sent to Concentration Camp or were experimented on.

The mentally and physically handicapped: Eugenics (selectively breeding to improve population) justified means. They sterilized and euthanized many. Law for the Prevention of Hereditary Disease justified sterilization

Effects of Policy on Jewish Population

-largest group to be discriminated against. First restricted their rights and civil liberties. Nuremberg Laws classified them as 2nd classed citizens. Kristallnacht lead to many Jewish business to being broken into.

-Eventually Jewish people sent to concentration camps. Final solution developed by Gestapo and SS head, Heinrich Himmler.