Unit 1 Modern History Exam

Volksgemeinschaft

the idea of national community that transcended clas,s religious and reg

Gleichschaltung

The Nazification of German society following the Nazi seizure of power in 1933

Third Reich

The name given to Germany when Hitler came to power and wanted to establish an empire under his Nazi regime

Plebiscite

A vote to determine the people’s opinion. The result is not necessarily legally binding on the government.

High Treason

Betraying one's country, usually by attempting to overthrow the government or kill the leaders. This is usually punishable by death.

Economic Depression

A prolonged and sustained period of low economic activity, with high and low rising unemployment and low demands for goods.

autobahen

german freeways

denigrate

to belittle, criticise or attack

toika

government rule by a group of three powerful individuals

periodical

a publication that is released on a regular basis, such as a magazine or journal

degenerate

an immoral or corrupt person

persecution

hostility, or ill-treatment on the basis of gender, sex, race, class, ethnicity, or religion

discrimination

unfair or unjust treatment on the basis of gender, sex, race, class, or ethnicity

gentile

people who are not part of the Jewish faith or culture

Kristallnacht

On 9-10 November 1938, a night of violence by the SA and civillians was directed against Jewish businesses and synangogues in Germany.

synagogue

The Jewish place of worship; equivalent to a mosque or church

ghetto

a walled-off section of a city where Jews were forced to live

Final Solution

a term used by the Nazis to decribe their plan for the physical extermination of European Jews during WW2

How did the enabling act give Hitler and the Nazis dictatorial powers

Allowed Hitler and the Nazis to make laws without going through the Reichstag or adhering to the constitution

How did laws passed under the Gleichschaltung initiative would have helped the Nazis increase their power

They were able to bring all asepcts of life into line with their national socialism ideologies, these laws included;

• kicking Jewish and political opponents from civil service

• banning trade unions

• destroying all political parties except the Nazi Party and introducing a law prohobiting the establishment of new parties

what elements of nazi ideology were represented under the Gleichschaltung laws

• Fuhrerprinzip - allowed Hitler to have full control over Germany

• Volkgemeinschaft- attempt to create a community of “pure” Germans in the Reichstag

What was the night of the long knives

Hitler ordered

Why did Hitler order the SS to strike in the Night of the Long Knives

Felt like his position of leadership was threatenend by Ernst Rohm, who was the leader of the SA at the time, and a lot of Nazi Party members believed Rohm would be a better leader than Hitler

First targeted in the night of the long knives

Ernst Rohn’s capture and execution

number of casualties in the Night of the Long Knives

• 180 Nazi Party Members

• 200 other ‘enemies’

2 key individuals in the source “They Salute with Both Hands Now”

Hitler- standing in front of his own army in a commanding posture with a smoking gun in hand

Hermann Goring- the troll-looking creature next to Hitler with the spear in hand

Symbolism of Hermann Goring in “They Salute with Both Hands Now”

overweight to mock his greed and self-importance, carrying spear or baton to symbolise violence or military authority

Meaning of the phase “They salute with both hands now”

SA were loyal to Hitler and would saltue him with the Nazi salute (one hand)

Both hands up to Hitler in surrender is showing their powerlessness

“Hitler’s unkempt promises” clearly discarded on the floor in front of the SA

Represents how Hitler betrayed the SA, as they were led to believe that they would gain power alongside Hitler

Why did Hitler order the execution of Ernst Rohm

Believed that Rohm was the biggest obstavle in his path ro securing total power

Many senior Nazi members believed that Rohm was a better leader than Hitler as Rohm wanted social and economic revloution

How did Hitler make use of Hindenburg’s death to increase his power

To destory the office of president and assume all powers of the state as Der Fuhrer

Significance of the German Army swearing a personal oath to Hitler

Hitler was now the only person that could control the army, and they would all fight for him, not the German public or the economy

Change from Weimar to Nazi

• types of political system

• merge of president and chancellor

• state controlled media, education, economy

• No freedom of press, speech, or political expression

• “legal” persecution of minority groups such as Jews and Gypsies

• youth programs to indoctrinate children with Nazi ideologies

• courts were not impartial; secret police used terror and survellience

• rigid social hierarchy based on race

• persuit aggressive expansionist policies

• role of women back to traditional concepts

• education curriculum focused on Nazi ideology, race, and obedience

Continuity from Weimar to Nazi

• sought to unite nation after humiliation of WWI and the Treaty of Versailles

• desire for economic stability

• maintained a strong military presence

• social issues such as unemployment, povery, etc.

• beaucracy and government structure

• propaganda as a political tool

• antisemetic attitudes (socially)

how Hitler became de fuhrer

combination of legal political moves, propaganda, and violence

reichstag fire

burning of the riechstag building- communists blamed, Hitler used this as an excuse to convice Hindenburg to pass the Reichstag Fire Decree, suspending civil liberties, and allowed the arrest of political opponents

enabling act

plebicite (many people were prevented from voting by SA officers), gave Hitler the power to make laws by sidestepping the Reichstag and the German constiution

Made Hitler a Legal Dictator

Hindenburg’s death

Hitler merged roles of president and chancellor, declaring himself as Fuhrer

had total cotrol over the government, army, and people

ways the Nazis maintained control

• Rallies (carrot)

• Job Creation (carrot)

• Providing state organised lesiure activited for workers and children (carrot)

• Propaganda (carrot)

• The SS (stick)

• Police and Courts (stick)

• Concentration Camps (stick)

Nazis use of rallies

allowed the Nazis to generate a sense of nationalism and unity amongst the population

these rallies glorified Hitler and the Nazi party, making people feel part of something greater. Also acted as propaganda

Nazis use of job creation

created through public works like the autobahn, rearmament, and expanding the military

as unemployment rates fell significantly, people began to trust Hitler and support his leadership

allowed the nazis to present themselves as the saviours of germany

Nazis use of state organised activities for workers

promoted loyalty, spread propaganda, reduced oppositon

“Strength through joy programs” gave workers cheap holidays, sports, and theatre tickets, and lesiure activities

made them feel rewarded and distracted from poor conditions or lack of politcal freedom

Nazis use of state organised activities for children

Hitler youth (boys)

League of German Girls (girls)

mandatory programs that filled free time with sports, camping, and Nazi Ideology

trained the next generation to be obedient, physically fit, and loyal to Hitler

Nazis use of propaganda

glorified Hitler, promoted Nazi values, blamed Jews and communists for Germany’s problems

all forms of media pushed Nazi ideology

books that diagreed were banned and burned,

effect of propaganda on people

shaped public opinion and silences alternative views

used to win support, inspire pride, and make people feel good about the Nazi regime

Nazi use of the SS

led by Heinrich Himmler, acted as Hitler’s elite force, responsible for enforcing raical policies, running concentration camps and crushing opposition

Nazi use of the Gestapo

spied on citizens, arrested anyone seen as a threat

used torture to extract information

people lived in fear of being watched or reported, which discourages resistance

Nazi use of police and courts

judges had to swear loyalty to Hitler

law was used to punish political opponent insread of protecting citizens

trails often unfair, and punishment was harsh

Nazis use of concentration camps

imprisoned Jews, communists, political enemies, and other group considered undesireable

prisoners faced brutal conditions, labour and violence

over time these camps expanded into a system of mass murder during the Holocaust

Concentration Camp

place where large numbers of people are imprisoned with fair trial

in nazi germany these camps were used to detain, punish, and eventually murder anyone considered a threat to the Nazi regime.

how did the SS size grow

started out as a small bodyguard unit for Hitler

when Himmler took over, group became independent and more powerful

took control of the Gestapo and concentration camps

by 1941, the SS grew into an expansive organisation, responsible for the Holocaust genocide

reorganising police to suit political needs

police served political needs of the regime rather than protecting citizens or upholding justice

done by giving Himmler and SS control over the entire police force