Ch 2 Impact of Nazi Rule

What event in February 1933 allowed Hitler to blame the communists and restrict civil liberties?

The Reichstag Fire. It gave Hitler a reason to suspend civil rights and arrest opponents.

What was the Enabling Act (March 1933), and why was it significant?

It allowed Hitler to make laws without Reichstag approval—paving the way for dictatorship.

What was Gleichschaltung (April-May 1933)?

It was the process of Nazifying all aspects of society—like banning other parties and controlling state governments.

What happened during the Night of the Long Knives (June 1934)?

Hitler eliminated SA leaders and other rivals, consolidating his power with army support.

What happened after Hindenburg's death in August 1934?

Hitler combined the roles of Chancellor and President, becoming the Führer with absolute power.

How did Nazi political control affect German society

It created a one-party totalitarian state with no political opposition, constant surveillance, and heavy propaganda.

:To what extent did Nazi rule benefit the people politically?

Hitler created stability and control, but at the cost of freedom, rights, and political diversity

How did Nazi rule address unemployment?

Through public works (like building autobahns), rearmament, and conscription—millions of jobs were created.

What economic strategies helped Germany recover?

Programs like Reich Labour Service (RAD), rearmament, and infrastructure boosted employment and productivity.

How did Nazis control trade unions?

Trade unions were banned; the German Labour Front (DAF) replaced them, taking away workers' rights.

What was the 'Strength Through Joy' (KdF) program?

It offered leisure benefits to workers—cheap vacations, theatre, cars—to increase morale and productivity.

What was the impact of rearmament and militarisation?

It created jobs, boosted industry, and prepared Germany for war—stimulating economic growth.

How did Nazi economic policies affect workers' freedom?

Workers lost the right to strike or negotiate, and the state had more control over their lives and working conditions.

To what extent did Nazi economic policies benefit Germans?

While jobs and living standards improved, freedoms were sacrificed, and benefits came with strict control.

What was a soft way of control that Hitler used?

Propaganda and censorship

What was a harsh way of control that Hitler used?

Control and fear

What are the 4 different communities in Germany?

Women, youths, minority, Jews

What was a way that Hitler used to instill control and fear?

Concentration camps

How did concentration camps give Hitler power and instill fear?

Prisoners were deformed to do harsh labour and given limited food

-> suffered harsh treatment like beatings and starvation

What is the negative and positive impact of control and fear?

+ve -> increase in control of the Nazi party over Germans and war materials were increased in production. Hitler was able to get rid of oppositions and prevent "defects/diseases" for pure Aryan blood

-ve -> Germans would fear being identified as "unclean" , thus were afraid of saying or doing anything

-> justice did not exist as there was no way for Germans to have rights as there were controlled by Nazis

What were the Nuremberg rallies?

- public displays of German power that Hitler organised

- showcase Germanys might and give Germans a sense of belonging

- rallies, marches, meetings held yearly in Nuremberg

Positive and negative impact or propaganda and censorship?

+ve -> made It easier to control public opinion

-> increase in German nationalistic sentiments amongst the Germans

-ve -> lack of freedom of expression and ideas

-> Germans under greater control of Nazis

What was the Persecution of minorities?

- people who were disabled, homosexuals, gypsies, were persecuted as there were seen as threats to "purity" of Aryan blood

-> They were sterilised like animal to be unable to reproduce as Hitler was afraid of their "diseases" being passed on to quality of Aryan race.

- 30,000 men and women were forcefully sterilised 1934-1945

Positive and negative impact of minority groups?

+ve -> enforcement of Nazi doctrine and easier control of public opinion

-> able to unite Germans due to the widespread belief of a pure Aryan race

-ve -> minorities faced severe discrimination and even loss of lives

What did Hitler do with Jews?

Jews were portrayed as sly, evil so he persecuted them.

-> because Jews were often successful businessmen , he felt that Jews had forced surrender of German army in WWI

- Nuremburg laws passed , 1935 !!

-> Jews were not allowed to marry non Jews/ pure blooded Germans

-> many Jews had their passports restricted to prevent them from leaving the country

-> Jewish children were segregated

-> "Jews not welcome" signs were hung in shop windows

-> many Jews lost their jobs

What was the night of the broken glass 1938?

-> Nazi diplomat was shot dead by Jewish boy

-> Hitler used this as an excuse to order a campaign of terror to be unleashed on Jews

-> Nazis looted and destroyed thousands of Jewish shops

-> homes and German churches were burned

-> Jews beaten and killed

-> 20,000+ Jews were arrested and sent to concentration camps

What was the Holocaust?

It was the final solution for Hitler to get rid of all Jews

-> after Jews were sent to these concentration camps, they would do harsh labour and die of starvation and gassed to death

-> cruel medical experiments were performed on them like lab rats

-> 6 million Jews dead

Positive and negative impact of persecution of Jews?

+ve -> increase unity amongst the Germans as there was a common enemy, Jews.

-ve -> Jewish business men lost their wealth

-> many Jews struggled to survive

-> numbers of death increased severely after holocaust

-> instilled fear amongst the people for fear of getting into trouble

What did Hitler believe the role of women were?

Hitler had very traditional views about the roles of women like to be good wives and mothers , no work.

-> women were excluded from politics and academics.

What was the League of German girls?

- young girls undergo vigorous training and domestic tasks like farming and cooking

Why were some women given jobs at the end?

Hitler had put all men at the front lines to protect their country but soon realised he needed more hands for the aid of the injured.

-> Nazi arms industries required more female workers to cope with increasing demand for war supplies

Positive and negative impact of role of women?

+ve -> women were given opportunities to work even though limited

-ve -> women had no freedom

What was the Hitler youth?

-> paramilitary organisation that groomed youths to become future leader of Nazi organisation

-> all youths had to join the Hitler youth

-> they had activities like brainwashed into anti-Semitism and Nazi ideology

-> military training rather than academics

Positive and negative impacts of roles of youth and education?

+ve -> youths will be disciplined, loyal and have a senes of pride towards Germany

-ve -> youths were brainwashed with belief of superiority and prejudice against youths