793 to 796 IB Comtempt History

What was the "Night of the Long Knives," and why was it significant?

A purge in which Hitler ordered the execution of SA leaders, consolidating power by removing rivals and shifting authority to the SS and Gestapo.

What was the Gestapo, and what role did it play in Nazi Germany?

The Gestapo was Nazi Germany's secret police, used to suppress dissent and detain political enemies without trial.

What happened on Kristallnacht, and why is it historically significant?

Also known as the "Night of Broken Glass," it was a coordinated attack on Jewish businesses, synagogues, and homes, escalating Nazi anti-Semitic policies into violence and mass arrests.

What is totalitarianism, and how does it differ from dictatorship?

Totalitarianism is a form of government that seeks complete control over all aspects of life, unlike dictatorship, which often only controls the political sphere.

What were People’s Courts in Nazi Germany?

Courts established by the Nazis to punish dissent and enforce loyalty to the state, often ignoring due process.

How did the Nazi regime "coordinate" churches in Germany?

Churches were brought under state control, clergy were restricted from speaking against the government, and ties to international religious organizations were discouraged.

What was the "Strength Through Joy" program in Nazi Germany?

A state-run program providing leisure activities, vacations, and entertainment for German workers to promote loyalty and morale.

What was the purpose of Nazi Germany’s Four-Year Plan initiated in 1936?

The Four-Year Plan aimed to achieve economic self-sufficiency, particularly through rearmament and synthetic material production, to prepare Germany for war.

What organization replaced labor unions in Nazi Germany?

The National Labor Front, which banned strikes and brought workers under state control.

What was Nazi Germany’s goal of autarky?

Autarky aimed for total economic self-sufficiency, reducing dependency on foreign trade by producing synthetic materials and encouraging domestic production.

How did the Nazi regime treat Christian institutions?

The regime discouraged Christian influence, promoted anti-Christian pagan movements, and sought to replace religious devotion with loyalty to Nazism and Hitler.

How did totalitarianism develop from historical state growth?

Totalitarianism evolved as states increasingly gained control over legal systems, taxes, military, and other aspects of life, culminating in the 20th century’s all-encompassing regimes.

What was the purpose of the Nazi Youth Movement?

It aimed to indoctrinate German youth with Nazi ideology, ensuring loyalty to Hitler and preparing them for future roles in the regime.

How did Nazis view science under their ideology?

Nazis promoted 'Nazi science' as unique and superior, rejecting democratic or 'Jewish' science and aligning scientific pursuits with the state’s goals.

How did Soviet totalitarianism under Stalin evolve to resemble other totalitarian states?

Soviet totalitarianism shifted from international class struggle to nationalistic fervor, developing a Stalinist personality cult and using labor camps for dissidents.

What was the organic theory of society promoted by totalitarian regimes?

The theory held that society was a single organism and individuals were merely 'cells' within it, lacking independent purpose outside the state.

How did totalitarian regimes view individualism?

Individualism was suppressed, with personal opinions and freedoms viewed as meaningless compared to the collective ideology of the state or class.

What synthetic materials did Germany produce as part of its autarky plan?

German scientists developed synthetic rubber, plastics, and textiles to reduce reliance on foreign raw materials.

What did the phrase 'Today Germany, tomorrow the world' signify in Nazi Germany?

It represented Nazi ambitions for global dominance, believing Germany’s militarized state could eventually conquer other nations.

How did the Nazis use bilateral trade agreements in their foreign policy?

They secured trade agreements that benefited Germany, relegating neighboring nations to subordinate roles in the Nazi-controlled economic network.

How did both Nazism and Marxism view the role of the individual?

Both ideologies saw the individual as a unit within the larger collective—whether the nation (Nazism) or the class (Marxism)—with little personal agency.

What was the main target during the Night of the Long Knives?

The main targets were the leadership of the SA (Sturmabteilung), particularly Ernst Röhm, as well as perceived political rivals.

What tactic did Hitler employ during the Night of the Long Knives to justify the purge?

Hitler claimed that the SA was plotting a coup against the government, using this as a pretext to eliminate them.

How did the Night of the Long Knives affect the SS in Nazi Germany?

The SS (Schutzstaffel) emerged as the dominant force in Nazi Germany, gaining increased power and influence after the purge.

What was the public's perception of the Night of the Long Knives?

The public largely supported the purge, viewing it as a necessary action to maintain order and stability in the regime.

How did the Night of the Long Knives impact Nazi alliances?

The purge solidified Hitler's control, winning the support of the Reichswehr (German army)