Establishment of the Nazi dictatorship and domestic policies 1933-39

What was Hitler’s position like when he became Chancellor in January 1933?

• His position in 1933: There were only 3 Nazis in a Cabinet of 12, Hitler’s coalition government did not have a majority in the Reichstag, and his position of Chancellor was dependent on the whim of Hindenburg, he didn’t have the support of the Army

• Hitler’s strengths: leader of the largest party in Germany, the alternative to him was a civil war or communist coup, the Nazi Party had gained access to the resources of the state which allowed them to harass opponents, Hitler was a political tactician meanwhile Von Papen was politically naive

• Obstacles to power: President Hindenburg, The Reichstag and SPD, The Army, The ‘Socialist’ wing of the Nazis, and the KPD

Overview of why and how Hitler was able to consolidate power in August 1934

• Within 18 months, Hitler was able to secure his position and establish the basis of a legal dictatorship

• He imposed his vision of Nazi society on the German people through a range of methods, including terror and propaganda so that opposition was largely destroyed

• In the period immediately after being appointed Chancellor, Hitler was able to destroy the KPD, who were accused of setting fire to the Reichstag and were banned

• Although fresh elections did not give Hitler a majority, the Nazis were the largest party

• Through intimidation, the Nazis required 2/3 of the majority to change the constitution and persuade the Reichstag to pass the Enabling Act in March 1933

• Other political parties were banned or simply dissolved themselves

• Trade unions that were perceived as socialist were banned and replaced by the German Labour Front

• Policy of Co-ordination nazified institutions

• In 1934, Hitler was aware of how significant the support of the Army was

• With the death of Hindenburg approaching, Hitler needed to combine Chancellorship with Presidentship

• Obtaining a personal oath from the Army secured his position

Why did the Reichstag Fire play a significant role in Hitler’s rise to power?

• 27th February 1933, Van der Lubbe (a Dutch anarchist) was accused of setting the Reichstag, a building symbolic of democracy, on fire

• Considered an act of communist terrorism

• Hitler was able to portray the communists as anti-democratic

• Claimed that the fire was part of a communist plot to stage a takeover

• Although Hindenburg did not agree with Hitler’s radical idea of hanging communists, he allowed Hitler to take dictatorial powers

• ‘A Decree for the Protection of the People and the State’ was signed by Hindenburg under Article 48

• Hitler was granted emergency powers

• Took away many civil and political liberties, used by the Nazis to justify the arrest of large numbers of opponents

• Regardless if there was an actual communist threat, the Nazis exploited the situation and used it for electoral advantage

What was the outcome of the March elections 1933?

• The fire created an atmosphere of fear

• The election took place against a background of terror and intimidation towards Nazi opponents by the SA

• Their vote increased from 33% to 44%, winning 288 seats and being the largest single party in the Reichstag

• SPD lost their traction, KPD candidates were arrested and could not stand, resulted in their vote declining

• Regular members of the KPD and SPD were sent to concentration camps

• Support for KPD stopped in newspapers

• Despite this, the Nazis were unable to secure an overall majority

• This meant that the Nazis needed nationalist support

• Limited Hitler’s freedom of action

• Hitler needed 2/3 majority to change the constitution

What role did the Enabling Act 1933 play in Hitler’s rise to power?

• 23rd March 1933, the Enabling Act was passed

• It was important because the Act dismantled the Weimar constitution, gave Hitler the ability to create a one-party state, and violence could be used as a tool to govern

• Because of the SA’s intimidation, there was an absence of KPD members in the Reichstag

• This meant that Hitler was able to get the 2/3 majority that he needed to change the constitution and end parliamentary democracy

• With this, he could transfer full power to himself and his government for 4 years, creating the basis of the legal dictatorship

• However, this was only achieved because of promises to the Catholic Centre Party

• Hitler was required to respect the rights of the Catholic Church and uphold religious and moral values

• Without its support, he would not have won the majority he needed

What role did Gleichschaltung (Co-ordination) and the creation of a one-party state play in Hitler’s rise to power?

• Refers to the Nazification of society

• It was put into place at a local level, ‘the revolution from below’ and at a national level, ‘the revolution from above’

• The idea was to merge German society with Nazi institutions and associations

• Allowed the Nazi Party to control all aspects of social, cultural, and educational activity

• Despite this, the Nazis needed to secure its political supremacy over the federal states, trade unions, and other political parties

How did the Nazis manage Federal States?

• Germany’s strong regional traditions reflected in its federal nature

• This was a direct challenge to Nazi belief in a centralised state

• The local Nazi organisations aimed to dominate the states

• Widespread disorder was created due to an outbreak of violence

• The Nazis were conscious that they needed to avoid being perceived as revolutionaries by the Army

• The situation was resolved in 3 stages:

• 1) Regional parliaments were dissolved on the 31st of March 1933 and were replaced by Nazi dominated governments

• 2) Reich governors were created and regional parliaments were abolished

• 3) Federal governments were subordinated to Central government

• As result of the abolishment of Regional Parliaments, federal governments had virtually disappeared

How did the Nazis deal with trade unions?

• The Nazis viewed the trade union movement in Germany as closely connected to the KPD and SPD

• Independent unions were banned and replaced by the German Labour Front (DAF)

• Workers lost the right to negotiate wages and working conditions

• Within a year, the power of the trade unions was broken

Why wasn’t Gleichschaltung complete by the end of 1933?

• The Nazis did not control all areas

• The Church still retained its influence

• The Army and big businesses were still independent

• The Civil Services and Education had only been partly co-ordinated

• Hitler did not want to antagonise the Army

• Hitler needed the support from big businesses for rearmament

• Hitler needed the support of the Civil Service and Middle class and this could only be achieved by reassuring traditional values were being upheld

The significance of the Night of Long Knives in Hitler’s rise to power?

• Ernst Röhm, leader of the SA, wanted to merge the SA and the Army together

• Whereas Hitler believed that the policy of co-ordination had gone far enough

• Hitler was concerned that the Army would be alienated by Röhm’s call for a ‘second revolution’

• The Army viewed the SA as undisciplined and too radical, refusing the idea of being merged with it

• The support of the Army was significant to Hitler, they were the only institution that could remove him

• Hindenburg’s death was near and Hitler did not want the Army to lead an attempt to replace him with a monarchy

• It was important for Hitler to avoid this type of election and if it meant sacrificing his close friend, so be it

• On 30th June 1934, Röhm and other members of the SA were shot by the SS

• Effectively ended the SA as a military and political force

• The former Chancellor, Schleicher, and leader of the radical socialist wing of the Nazi Party, Strasser, were amongst the 200 people that were killed

• Through this action, Hitler destroyed the left-wing of the Nazi Party and the old Conservative right-wing

  
  

What were the consequences of the Night of Long Knives?

• The SA’s role was now limited

• The SS had emerged as a potent force

• Hitler secured his dictatorship

• Acceptance of his actions meant that he was allowed to get away with the murder of his opponents

• Many saw Hitler as a man who could bring order to Germany because he got rid of the ‘lawless’ SA

How significant was the death of the Hindenburg?

• 2nd August 1934, Hindenburg died

• There was no political crisis

• Hitler was to simply merge the role of President with that of Chancellor and take the new, official title of Fuhrer

• Any challenges to his position had ended

How did the Nazis use propaganda effectively?

• Goebbels, Chief propagandist for the Nazi Party and Reich Minister of Propaganda from 1933 to 1945, tightly controlled all forms of media — newspapers, radio, film, literature, art, and music

• The Reich Radio effectively brought all broadcasting under Nazi control

• In 1932, fewer than ¼ of German households owned a radio

• The Nazis arranged for the production of a cheap radio set, The People’s Receiver

• By 1939, 70% of German households owned a radio

• Installation of loudspeakers in restaurants, cafes, and factories

How well did the Nazis control the press?

• The press was not so easily achieved by Goebbels

• In 1933, Germant had over 4,700 daily newspapers as a result of strong regional identities

• All were privately owned and owed no loyalty to the government

• Thus, various methods were implemented

• The Nazi Publishing House, Eher Verlag, bought up various newspapers

• By 1939, it controlled 2/3 of the press

• Various news agents merged into one

• Editor’s Law of October 1933 meant that newspapers had to align with the requirements of the Propaganda Ministry or face the appropriate consequences

• To a large extent, the Nazis succeeded muzzling the press

• Nazi’s own newspaper, Volkisher Beobachter, continued to grow in popularity after 1933, reaching 1.7 million by 1944

• However, as a result of this, journalism was bland and sterile, which contributed to a 10% decline in newspaper circulation before 1939

How well did Goebbels exploit the Berlin Olympics 1936?

• Goebbels was determined to exploit the games as a ‘propaganda gold-mine’

• He viewed the games as a means to present Nazi propaganda to glorify the regime around the world to spread ideological themes

• Everything was done to portray a positive image of ‘New Germany’

• The games were broadcasted in 28 languages, Aryan race was emphasised through the image of athlete, Siegfried Eifrig, lighting the torch at the commencement of the games

• Overall, the Berlin Olympics were a major success for the Nazis

• The regime was praised for its excellent management and overall spectacle

• US Correspondant Shirer noted ‘I’m afraid the Nazis have succeeded with their propaganda’

How important was the Nazi propaganda machine?

• Sought to create a new kind of social ritual, ‘The Heil Hitler’ greeting

• Militaristic uniforms intended to strengthen individual’s identity with the regime

• Culture was dominated by antisemitism, militarism, and the glorification of the Aryan race

• Anti-modernism sentiments

• Music: composers of Jewish faith were banned, Germany’s classical tradition, Beethoven, was exploited by the regime

• Literature: over 2,500 of Germany’s writers left their homeland during the years 1933-45

• Erich Maria Remarque, author of All Quiet on the Western Front, promoted anti-nationalist values post WW1 and left

• German literature suffered as a result and a lesser literary group had to fill this vacuum

• Visual Arts: Modern Schools of Art were held in contempt and Art styles were severely censored

• Cinema: Goebbels expanded the film industry under the control of Reich Film Chamber

How were the courts used to ensure obedience and eliminate enemies of the state?

• Courts enabled the regime to remove opponents while giving a semblance of legality to Nazi actions

• The establishment of new courts were under Nazi control and therefore easily influenced by the regime to do its bidding

• Actions were taken to extend Nazi control and influence over courts further

• Judges were instructed to issue harsher sentences in hopes of discouraging others

• New laws regarding political offenses were brought in

• Judges who did not carry out Nazi wishes were removed and senior court officials were replaced by Nazis

• As a result, it was increasingly difficult for opponents to receive a fair trial

How was the SS used to ensure obedience and eliminate enemies of the state?

• It became independent and much more important than the SA

• It became a ‘state within a state’

• Key part of the police state and was crucial in upholding the regime, playing a leading role in terror

• Ran concentration camps

• Power of arrest and detention of people in ‘protective custody’ even after their official sentences had been imposed by courts

• Their roles included policing, intelligence gathering, security, promoting ideology, race, the economy, and some military issues

• Himmler, Head of SS, developed it into the most loyal and brutal of the regime’s agendas

• By 1939, all police and security organisations had been merged under the Reich Security Office (RSHA) which was overseen by Himmler and co-ordinated by his deputy, Heydritch

How were Concentration Camps used to ensure obedience and eliminate enemies of the state?

• Used to question and torture so-called enemies of the state by inflicting hard labour on them

• By the time Himmler took over concentration camps in 1934, there were only 3000 inmates that included political opponents

• From 1936, those who did not fit the Nazi ideal such as asocials and unemployed people

How was the Gestapo used to ensure obedience and eliminate enemies of the state?

• Reputation of being an all-seeing and knowing element of the police state

• This viewed forced people to conform, believing that if they did not, they would be caught

• Maintained an image that they would find, arrest, and send opponents to concentration camps

• However, their effectiveness was limited as they were only a small organisation

• 20,000-40,000 agents

• Large cities had 50 agents

• Many of these were no more than office workers who relied on informers

• Much information was just gossip

• Unlikely that the Gestapo was able to impose such terror

• Yet, fear of the Gestapo acted as a deterrent and their reputation was a terror tactic itself

How much opposition was there to Nazi policies?

• Fear and terror did little to limit opposition towards the regime

• Despite the dangers, there were those willing to oppose the regime

• Some opposition consisted simply of refusing to greet someone with ‘heil Hitler’

• However, others became involved in underground resistance

• Difficult to argue this as significant opposition

• Most of the population supported the regime, even in the last weeks of war

Why was opposition limited?

• Terror: the Gestapo, concentration camps, and the SS forced people to conform

• The economic miracle: the Nazis provided most people with jobs, and thereby many were willing to accept the unpopular policies and extreme measures

• Abandoned/hidden policies: after criticism that followed Kristallnacht and the euthanasia campaign, the policies were either suspended or carried out in secret

• Opposition was divided: KPD, SPD, Trade Unions, Churches, Youth, Conservatives

What was opposition from the KPD, SPD, and Trade Unions like?

• KPD: most support from working-class in large cities, produced pamphlets, the Red Orchestra (a spy network) was established, and sent information to the Soviet Union, yet their impact was limited, their leaders were arrested before the Reichstag Fire, KPD members did not want to get arrested, and the Gestapo infiltrated their networks and made it difficult to operate

• SPD: support from working-class, they had been banned, produced pamphlets, ran an underground organisation, much of their leadership had been arrested, they did not co-operate with the KPD, many were concerned about self-preservation, the lack of unity between the KPD and SPD also limited opposition

• Trade Unions: support among working-class, strikes in 1930s that enabled opposition to survive, industrial action was not effective and had been weakened by arrests in 1933-34, the establishment of the German Labour Front to replace independent unions

What was opposition from the Churches, Youth, and Students like?

• Churches: criticisms from both Catholic and Protestant Churches, in 1941 a Bishop, Von Galen, condemned euthanasia, most were pragmatic in their response to preserve religious practises, lower level although Galen’s attack on euthanasia did result in temporary suspension, they did not provide effective opposition

• Youth: a number of groups who opposed the Hitler Youth were established during the war, these included Swing Youth and Edelweiss Pirates, showed signs of resistance to Nazi conformity by playing Jazz music, they attacked local members of the Hitler Youth, actual opposition was limited, although there were some attacks on Gestapo officials, it had little significance, many simply wanted to listen to music and disliked militarism

• Students: the White Rose, a student group in Munich, issued pamphlets, and condemned the values of the regime, but had minimal impact and the leaders of the White Rose were arrested and tortured

What was opposition from the Conservatives and Army like?

• Conservatives: The Kreisau Circle included officers, aristocrats, and churchmen, they drew up plans for post-Nazi Germany, and disliked radical policies, yet some pacifists opposed a coup, resistance only developed later on, it was difficult to organise and plan as they feared arrest, little direct action taken before war

• Army: commanders and high-ranking officials resented Hitler’s background, support for Hitler had declined after the defeat of Stalingrad, some commanders began to plot and this resulted in the bomb plot, this failed and allowed Hitler to regain control, about 5,000 members of the resistance were killed afterwards

What was the threat from the Catholic Church like?

• Hitler was concerned by the potential threat posed by the Catholic Church

• Its followers put loyalty to the Pope before that of the State

• However, Hitler did not want to provoke a conflict with the Catholic Church

• The Catholic Church wanted to preserve its independence

• It signed a contract with the state in July 1933 which guaranteed religious freedom

• The Church could run itself and appoint its own ministers

• Parents could request Catholic schools for their children

• In return for the Catholic Church keeping out of politics, the Nazis agreed not to interfere with the rights of the Church

What was the threat from the Protestant Church like?

• Many Protestants were willing to support the Nazis because of their family values

• Many pastors spoke in favour of the Nazis

• They encouraged voting for the Nazis and allowed their Churches to be used as Nazi bases

• Despite this, Hitler wanted to co-ordinate the Protestant Church and control it

• The Reich Church was established in 1933, introduced Nazi policies and gradually resulted in the alienation of many Protestants

• In 1934, two Protestant bishops were arrested for opposing the Reich Church

• As a result, others pastors established the Confessional Church which was independent of the state

• Attracted the support of 7,000 out of 17,000 pastors and this indicated the ineffectiveness of Nazi policies when deeply held religious beliefs were threatened

How did Nazi policies undermine the Church?

• Despite the Concordat with the State, the Nazis did interfere

• Arrest of pastors and bishops

• Confiscation of Church funds

• Attacks on Catholic Youth movement

• Removal of Crucifixes from school walls and replacing them with Swastikas

• Closure of some Church schools

• Banning of Nativity plays and carols

Who was Dietrich Bonhoeffer?

• A pastor who joined the confessional Church in 1940

• He became involved in political opposition

• He was in contact with the Conservatives in the Kreisau Circle

• He was banned from preaching because of his criticism of the regime

• He continued to help Jews to emigrate and worked with resistance movement

• He was arrested by the Gestapo in 1943 and eventually murdered in a concentration camp

How far did the Nazis weaken the Churches?

• The Papacy criticised the regime

• In 1937, the Papacy published a letter that was public ‘with burning concern’

• Individual clergy who spoke out against the regime were sent to concentration camps to silence them

• However, the popularity of these individuals made it difficult for the Nazis to do more without evoking outrage

• It did not destroy opposition and only partially weakened the Churches

What was the German Faith Movement?

• Nazi religious movement that aimed to replace Christianity with a pagan religion based on Germanic mythology and Nazi ideals

• It emerged between 1933 and 1945

• The movement sought to promote a national religion rooted in ‘blood and soil’ ideology, emphasising Germanic heritage and a separation from Christianity

• It was based on 4 key themes

• A belief in German race superiority and opposition to Jews

• The replacement of views of Jesus being a Jew

• A rejection of Christian ethics of mercy and forgiveness

• A belief in the cult of Hitler’s personality

Why was the German Faith Movement a failure?

• Only 5% of Germans joined

• The regime could not afford to alienate the Church as they played a significant role in maintaining morale during the war

• In 1942, Churches supported the population after bombing raids

• The position of the Church survived

• It was only after military successes in the war that the regime was confident enough to persecute the Churches

• Monasteries were closed, Church property was attacked

• Churches were willing to compromise in order to survive and there was more sympathy towards the Nazis than communists

How successful were public works and the creation of jobs?

• 1 billion Reichmark investment in schemes saw the building of roads, canals, and houses

• 40% increase in production in the car industry

• Voluntary Labour Service 1935 employed 500,000 men

• The law for the reduction of unemployment succeeded in taking women out of the work force

• These policies reduced unemployment

• Virtually full employment by 1938

• Although unemployment declined, the Reich Labour service was poorly paid and involved hard labour in poor conditions

• Taking women out of the work force was a large mistake as highlighted when it was too late to re-enter them during the war

• While statistics suggest unemployment was solved, they do not consider the human effects

How successful was Schacht’s New Plan?

• It aimed to achieve economic self-sufficiency (autarky) and prioritise industries crucial for defence, while also managing the growing costs of rearmament

• The use of ‘Mefo’ bills allowed the government to finance rearmament and stimulate the economy without directly increasing the national debt

• Yet, the rapid increase in spending led to the prospect of inflation

• Mefo Bills accentuated the balance of payments problem because of their demands for imports

• Led to the ‘guns or butter’ debate

• Rather than facing the problems that rearmament had created, Hitler rejected Schacht and appointed Göring as Commissioner for Raw Materials and Currency

How successful was Göring’s 4 year plan?

• Significantly boosted Germany’s production of military equipment, including tanks, aircraft, and weapons

• By 1939, Germany’s military was much larger than in 1936

• It reduced reliance on imports, reducing Germany’s vulnerability to blockades or resource shortages

• Expansion of military industry created more jobs

• Stimulated short-term economic growth

• However, it led to severe strain on Germany’s capacity for consumer goods

• Led to shortages in living standards

• Germany still relied on foreign supplies for 1/3 of its raw materials

• Other sectors, such as agriculture, were neglected

• Led to food shortages, and rationing during the war

• Germany was not ready for ‘Total War’

• Failed to achieve true self-sufficiency

How successful was conscription, rearmament, and preparations for war?

• Compulsory military service reduced unemployment

• Conscription restored national pride

• Rearmament stimulated industries such as steel and coal

• Invested in developing new weapons and military technology (tanks, aircraft, submarines led to early victories during the war)

• However, the economy was expanding too quickly

• Food, raw materials, and consumer goods shortages

• Labour shortages amongst skilled workers, pushing wages up

• Government found it difficult to finance, resulted in discontent amongst the working class

• The economy was not ready for war

How successful was the German Labour Front?

• Eliminated labour strikes and unrest by dissolving trade unions

• Ensured that industries had a steady supply of labour

• Ran vocational courses that enhanced workers’ skills

• Yet, relied on forced labour including POWs and foreign workers who were subjected to harsh conditions, low wages, long hours, leading to severe exploitation of human rights

• Resentment among workers towards DAF

• Cost of living increased

How successful was ‘Strength through Joy’?

• KDF offered vacations, cultural events, sports, and millions of Germans participated

• Integrated into every-day life

• Accessible to a broad segment of the population, particularly the working-class who previously had limited opportunities

• Promoted national pride and was used as an effective propaganda tool

• Reinforced the message of loyalty to the Fuhrer and the state as a benevolent provider

• Yet, it placed pressure of workers to conform to the regime and the sense of unity was superficial

• Failed to address class inequalities

• Only a small percentage of Germans could participate in foreign holidays

• Many workers found themselves excluded from these benefits which led to disparity between the programme’s promises and reality

• Although it had significant control and influence over the lives of Germans, and was successful in promoting leisure and national pride, it failed to deliver its promises such as the Volkswagen project

• As the war advanced, the programme’s limitations became more apparent

• It contributed to the growing disillusionment of the German population

What were Nazi policies towards women?

• In 1935, Lebensborn Programme intended to increase the population

• By this policy, unmarried mothers of ‘good racial background’ were called for to be impregnated by members of the SS

• Included the abduction of children from occupied territories who were considered racially suitable for Germanisation

• Emphasis on Motherhood

• ‘Kinder, Küche, Kirche’

• Bronze, Silver, and Gold medals were awarded to mothers

• Mother’s cross was introduced

• Grammar schools for girls were abolished and they were forbidden to study Latin which was a requirement to study at university

• Intelligent women and girls found that their opportunities for advanced education were reduced

• Instead, domestic skills and the importance of motherhood were glorified by Nazi propaganda

• The League of German girls taught them how to be good wives and mothers

• Restrictions on Employment, women were banned from civil service, law, medicine, and academia

• The percentage of women in the workforce fell from 37% in 1932 to 31% in 1937

• Marriage loans were offered to women to marry and give up work

• Eugenics programme, compulsory sterilisation for women who were considered to have heredity illnesses or deemed racially undesirable

• Policies to increase the birth rate had limited success, the regime failed to achieve 4 children from each marriage

How successful were women’s organisations?

• Provided some limited employment opportunities

• Nationalist Socialist Womanhood

• German women’s entreprise

• Ran mother’s schools

• Courses in household management and motherhood skills

• Used to express anti-feminist propaganda

How did Education change under the Nazis?

• Teachers had to reinforce Nazi values, those who were considered ‘unreliable’ were removed

• Schools were centralised under the Reich ministry of Education

• Headteachers had to be Nazis and part of a Nationalist Socialist Teacher’s League

• The curriculum was changed to reflect Nazi ideals, greater emphasis on physical education

• The regime looked to increase fitness and strength, essential skills for future soldiers

• More emphasis on German history, used to stress German nationalism and heroism

• Biology used to reinforce racial superiority

• Religious studies removed

How effective was the Hitler Youth?

• Membership rose from 1% in 1933 to 60% by 1936

• Made compulsory in 1939

• Position was strengthened by the abolition of all other youth groups expect Catholic Youth movement

• All activities emphasised the greatness of the Fuhrer

• Adolf Hitler schools were ran by the Hitler Youth, emphasised physical skills

• Preparing them for military life

• Those from poorer backgrounds enjoyed camping and sporting activities as they had never been away from home before

• Organisation was poor

• Lack of focus on all subjects led to a generation that was ideologically driven

• They lacked diverse skills for post-war reconstruction

• The regime relied on very young boys to be soldiers to defend the crumbling of the Reich, causing trauma to those as young as 12 years old

• The Edeiwess Pirates and Swing Youth rejected the Nazi Youth

• Disillusionment and resentment grew

What were the policies towards Jews 1933-37?

• Boycott of Jewish businesses 1933: SA and SS members discouraged people from entering Jewish owned businesses

• Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service 1933: dismissal of Jews from civil service positions, for example, Jewish teachers, professors, and judges were forced out of their jobs

• Social and Economic Exclusion 1933-35: Jews could no longer write for newspapers, hold leadership positions in the arts, they could no longer act in theatres, amount of Jewish students in schools and universities were limited

• Nuremburg Laws 1935: two main laws that provided the legal framework for racial discrimination against Jews, included the Reich Citizenship Law which stripped Jews of their German citizenship and reduced them to ‘subjects’ of the state, The law for the Protection of German blood and German Honour, forbade marriages and extramarital sexual relations between Jews and Aryans

• Continued Exclusion and Persecution 1936: temporary lull in overt anti-Jewish action during the Berlin Olympics to avoid international criticism, afterwards, these policies resumed with greater vigour

• Increased Pressure and Confiscation 1937: intensified efforts to force Jews out of the economy entirely, businesses were boycotted, forcibly Aryanised, more radical measures

What were the policies towards Jews 1938-39?

• Registration of Jewish Property 1938: Jews were required to register property and assets worth over 5,000 Reich marks, widespread confiscation of Jewish property would follow

• Mass arrests and Deportation 1938: Nazis conducted large-scale arrests of Jews, particularly those convicted of petty crimes and were deemed ‘undesirable’, many of these individuals were sent to concentration camps

• Evian Conference 1938: held in France to address the growing refugee crisis as Jews and other persecuted groups sough to flee Nazi Germany, many European nations refused to significantly increase their immigration quotas so many Jews were trapped in Europe with limited options to escape

• Expulsion of Polish Jews 1938: expelled 17,000 Jews of Polish origin from Germany, Jews were deported across the Polish border but the Polish government refused to admit them, this left thousands stranded in terrible conditions

• Kristallancht (Night of Broken Glass) 1938: a state sponsored pogrom against Jews throughout Germany and Austria, over 1,400 synagogues were burned, and homes were destroyed, 30,000 Jewish men were sent to concentration camps and nearly 100 murdered

• Forced emigration and Ghettoisation 1939: Hitler publicly threatened if war broke out, it would result in the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe, this speech indicated the regime’s growing commitment to more radical solutions, Jews were forced into ghettos, segregated into overcrowded places

• Outbreak of War and invasion of Poland 1939: Millions of Jews fell under Nazi control in occupied Poland, the regime began to forcibly relocate Jews into ghettos

Did Industrial workers benefit from Nazi rule?

• Workers had been hit the hardest by the Depression with many losing their jobs

• The Nazis provided many of them with work

• But it was poor pay and had lower benefits and working conditions

• If they refused work, they did not receive benefits

• Wages were slow to recover and working hours were often longer

• Trade unions were lost, there were no ways to negotiate better wages

• Working class saw a decline in the quality of food (meat and dairy)

• Little investment in housing for ordinary people, a reason why people were reluctant to have large families

• Strength through Joy movement brought limited benefits

• Volkswagen scheme failed, nothing more than propaganda

Did Farmers benefit from Nazi rule?

• Nazis stressed the importance of agriculture and had promised to help farmers who had been hit by the collapse in food prices

• Nazis introduced measures to prevent farmers from benefitting from food shortages, thus agriculture remained largely unprofitable

• Many famers moved away from the countryside, resulted in a rural labour shortage developing

• Reich Entailed Law 1933 designed to preserve the peasantry only added to rural problems as it prevented the development of large-scale farms which were more officient

• The Nazis failed to invest in agriculture

• Most money went to big industries and armaments instead

Did big businesses benefit from Nazi rule?

• Rearmament programme brought considerable profits to a number of firms

• All benefited from the dissolution of trade unions’ power

• However, this came at a cost: the government controlled prices, wages, and imports

• Also forced by the government to invest in research such as synthetic rubber to buy the best quality

Did small businesses benefit from Nazi rule?

• Nazis won much support from small businesses who believed that they were losing out to big businesses (propaganda claimed that they were being ran by Jews)

• Workers preferred to work for big businesses to earn more

• Decline in the number of small crafts men and once the war began, their position deteriorated even further as they were unable to get raw materials or labour that they needed to keep going