Rise, consolidation, & maintenance of the Nazis historiography

Kershaw

• Attributed failure of resistance to Nazis to the Weimar political climate and polarization where the majority supported an authoritarian system of government.

• Believed opposition to Nazi rule was socio-economically driven but did not significantly threaten the regime's policies

Kershaw is a leading expert on Nazi Germany.

Craig

• Saw Weimar as an ‘aborted revolution’ which failed to change political attitudes

• Believed the SS prevented regime collapse and maintained Nazi power through terror

• Nazi art, was “of a quality so inferior as to be embarrassed”

He had first-hand experience of living in the after-effects of Weimar Germany (moved to Germany after Weimar collapsed) - experienced as on outsider.

Nicholls

Considered Weimar a ‘democratic advancement’ for Germany

Hiden

Saw Weimar as a mix of progressive ideas and traditional institutions

Had experience with contributing to British foreign policy

Broszat

Argued that resistance to Nazi rule arose from socio-economic daily life experiences

Experienced Nazi Germany as a boy, so has has first-hand knowledge.

Ritter

Highlighted the reluctance of conservative elites to accept Nazi policies, especially during the war

Evaluation: Ritter himself was a conservative intellectual, so he was keen to praise his own beliefs.

Bullock

Believed Hitler was the sole master of the Third Reich.

Taylor

Viewed Nazi anti-Semitism as a tool for achieving broader aims

Huber

Claimed Nazi Germany was governed by 'Fuhrer power' rather than state power