Hitler's Consolidation of Power and Nazi Policy

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering Hitler’s rise to power, the implementation of Nazi social and economic policies, and the lead-up to World War II.

Hitler's First Cabinet

Consisted of only $3$ Nazis: Hitler himself, Guring (minister without portfolio), and Frick (minister of the interior).

Hindenburg's perception of Hitler

He initially viewed Hitler as a controllable "jumped up little bavarian."

Ernst Rohm

The leader of the SA and a committed socialist who favored workers' rights, acting as the muscle for Hitler's goals.

Reichstag Fire

An event on $27^{\text{th}}$ February $1933$ that Hitler used to burn down the democratic system.

Decree for the protection of people and state

Emergency powers passed after the Reichstag fire that effectively ended freedom of speech, association, and press.

Gestapo

The Nazi secret police force created by replacing the existing police with Nazi supporters and $50,000$ members of the SA.

Enabling Act

Passed on $23/03/33$, this act allowed the government to absorb other political groups (except the KPD) and gave Hitler plenary powers.

Gleichschaltung

Meaning "same circuit," this process ensured that anyone not in the Nazi party—including teachers and university professors—held no power.

Robert Ley

The director of the German Labour Front who oversaw the banning of trade unions and collective bargaining.

Law against the formation of parties

A law passed on $14^{\text{th}}$ July $1933$ that outlawed the SPD and forced other parties to be banned.

Night of Long Knives

Occurred on $30^{\text{th}}$ June $1934$, where Hitler eliminated Rohm and the SA leadership due to fears of a socialist revolution or a coup.

Ordnungspolizei (ORPO)

The regular police force that was placed under the command of Himmler.

Dachau

The first concentration camp, opened in March $1933$, which became a model for all future camps.

Autarky

The Nazi economic goal of achieving national self-reliance.

Reichsarbeitsdienst (RAD)

The National Labour Service which ran public work programs; it became compulsory for men in $1935$ and women in $1939$.

Kraft durch Freude (KdF)

Meaning "Strength through Joy," this state-run organization provided leisure activities like hikes and skiing to build appreciation for the Nazi state.

Schönheit der Arbeit (SdA)

Meaning "Beauty of Labour," this entity encouraged factory owners to improve workplace conditions to help Germans see work as a positive duty.

Work books

A document introduced in $1935$ that acted as a CV of a worker's entire employment history and skills; workers could not leave a job without permission.

Kinder, Kirche, Küche

The "Three K's" representing the Nazi ideal sphere for women: Children, Church, and Kitchen.

Marriage loan

An interest-free loan of $1000 \text{ RM}$ given to couples, where each child born would remove $250 \text{ RM}$ from the debt.

Lebensborn policy

A policy where women could volunteer to have a baby with an SS member to

Gertrud Scholts-Klink

The Reich Women’s leader from $1934$ who promoted anti-intellectualism and encouraged women to be healthy wives and mothers.

Bernhard Rust

The official who controlled the Nazi education system, including the curriculum, teachers, and specialist schools.

National Socialist League

The organization all teachers were required to join, which vetted them for racial purity and loyalty.

Adolf Hitler Schools

Specialist Nazi boarding schools for boys and girls considered racially flawless with above-average intelligence.

Edelweiss Pirates

A youth resistance group that grew their hair long and engaged in fights with Hitler Youth members.

Asocials

A category including beggars, alcoholics, drug addicts, and the homeless; approximately $350,000$ were forcibly sterilized.

Bible bugs

A derogatory Nazi term for Jehovah’s Witnesses, who were outlawed in $1933$ for being anti-military and refusing the Hitler greeting.

Nuremberg Laws

Laws passed in $1935$ that stripped Jewish people of civil and political rights and systematized the separation of Jews and Aryans.

Kristallnacht

An organized attack where $400$ synagogues and $700$ businesses were burned or destroyed.

Lebensraum

The foreign policy aim of expanding eastwards to achieve "living space" for the German people.

Hossbach Memorandum

A $1937$ memorandum outlining Hitler's plans for future invasions.

Munich Agreement

A $1938$ agreement between Germany, Italy, the UK, and France that surrendered the Sudetenland to Hitler.

Entartete Kunst

Meaning "Degenerate Art," this referred to modern, non-classical art that the Nazis mocked in government-sanctioned exhibitions.