Hitler

How effectively did Speer manage the wartime German economy? -End of the War

- in the end, bombing and shrinking resources s Germany's enemies advanced from the east and west, it caused the economy to crumble in 1945 -by 1945: 400,000 civilians had been killed in bombing raids, towns, cities and factories lay in ruins -transport had broken down and oil was unobtainable -According to Mommsen's view of Nazism as a destructive capacity, economic destruction was the product of Hitler's own obsession, as summed up in his -order to Speer in 1945: to destroy transport and factories lest they fall into enemies hands -He Claimed "The Germans have failed to prove worthy of their fuhrer. I miss die and all Germany must die with me" -Fortunately, Speer countermanded the order, but there is no doubt that the Nazi economy had ultimately failed.

What was the relationship between Nazis and the churches within germany?

-58% of the German population were protestants -Catholics (32%) -Jehovah's witnesses failed to compromise and were deported into concentration camps -the mainstream churches proved much easier to influence -Hitler wanted to restrict Chruches to a purely spiritual role, this ran counter to the desire for most churchmen to maintaining the church's role in other activities such as youth groups

Hitler's ideology continuation

-After 1925 Hitler reviewed Nazi Party ideology, organization and strategy. -The party adopted legality rather than revolution. Less emphasis was placed on the "socialist" aspect of the original party policies- Nationalisation of Industry and Land Redistribution. -Obviously Hitler and the leadership realised that they needed the support of the elite. - The party also made a conscious decision to be more ideologically flexible (on some issues). -However, ideology remained constant throughout the Nazi period on most issues.

Germany until 1919

-Authoritarian -Monarchy -Germany had no experience of democracy -However, almost immediately after the defeat the country became the most democratic in Europe Why was it the most democratic nation? -P.R proportional representation -coalition government are representatives of public opinion -encourages participation in the electoral and political system -leads to a weak government, because parties, especially during difficult times, always support their own cause. no compromise.

Was there any organised opposition to Nazi Rule? -the army

-Between june 1940 and July 1944- there were six attempts to kill Hitler, all led by army officers -The last of these was the 'July Bomb' of 1944, over 5000 army officers were executed, including Ludwig Beck, Hans Oster and colonel Claus Von Stauffenberg -Even Nazi's own intelligence agency, Abwehr, was rife with resistance workers -the head of the agency Admiral Wilhelm Canaris supported the resistance activities and did what he could to protect Jews

How did Nazi's ensure the support of the youth? Course Style

-Biology, history and german became the means for conveying Nazi philosophy -In Bio, racial differences and Nazi interpretation of Darwinism -History was designed to 'awaken in the younger generation that sense of responsibility towards ancestors and grandchildren that will enable it to let its life be subsumed in eternal germany' -German lessons encouraged a consciousness of the nation and there was emphasis on folklore -Ideology entered the curriculum, math problems were posed using ideology -folklore, german borders and military studies were entered in university curriculums -a min of 5 hours a week was put on sports -religious education stopped to exist -females usually did home economics -Teachers and lecturers wer also subject to Nazi controls -1933 Civil Service Law some teachers were dismissed and by 39 all teachers became Reich civil servants -the national socialist teachers league and national socialist lecturer's league organised camps, were teachers below the age of 50 had to participate in sports events and were required to be anti-semitic, and 'jewish thesis' such as Einstein's theory of relativity were banned -the willingness of millions of young people to fight in war might suggest some success from these youth groups, -however, the quality of educational provision declined and extra youth activities sapped young peoples energies -the conscription of teachers, also declined educational standards

Was Nazi Germany a totalitarian state and was Hitler 'master of the third reich?' -Intentionalist historians

-Bracher and Hugh Trevor-Roper, -suggest that the overlapping of interests was deliberate and that Hitler was a powerful integrating figure at the centre of government -Internal rivalries generated a degree of effectiveness, reinforcing Hitler's position and power -HItler was able to take the praise for effective policies and blame others for ineffective ones- making himself a 'strong dictator'

How far did the circumstances of 1929-33 open they way for Hitler's rise to power? Continuation

-Chancellor Von Papen found himself a hostile Reichstag and considered using the army to force its dismissal as a prelude to adopting a new German constitution -He was opposed by Von Schleicher, minister of defence, who feared civil war -Hindenburg tried to help Von Papen but when this seemed impossible he fired the Chancellor and turned to Schleicher to form a new government -Von Schleicher became chancellor in Dec 1932 -Von Schleicher hoped to lure the more left wing 'socialist' element of the Nazi party, under Gregor Strasser, away from mainstream Nazism into a coalition with the SPD, Hitler was anxious about this split. -However, Hitler demanded and won 'total obedience' from his followers and Strasser resigned -Von Paper infuriated by Von Schleicher, looked at Hitler as a potential ally for a Nazi-Nationalist Coalition - by 1932, Prussian landowners served to help Hitler's negotiations, because Von Schleicher refused to increase tariffs on food imports. -January 28 1933, Hindenburg fired Von Schleicher and turned to Von Papen once more -both Hindenberg and Von Papen were sure that the Nazi support was in decline, they believed it would upheld a fight against the communists, but Hitler would be to weak to threaten the traditional elite rule. So they could still keep an eye on hi, -They were ready to offer Hitler the Chancellorship.

What part did propaganda and repression play in Hitler's consolidation of power? The Use of Repression

-Considerable infringement of personal liberty -It took various forms: mild censorship and intimidation through warnings and job dismissals to arrest, imprisonment, a period of concentration camp and even execution -Under Hindenburg's decree of Feb 1933 300,000 communists were rounded up and 30,000 executed. -The decree allowed imprisonment without trial for an indefinite period for anyone deemed dangerous to society March 1933: -further decree against malicious gossip, and any critical comment or unauthorised action could lead to arrest -Himmler became head of SS and the Gestapo -there was also the SD headed by Reinhard Heydrich, they were the security policy 1939: -the Reich Main Security Department was set up to oversee all this security apparatus -the state employed a stream of informants including the 'bloc wardens' who paid regular visits to peoples houses, creating an image of power that must have helped to reinforce obedience 1933: -law courts were no longer impartial -the Civil Service Law, judges whose political beliefs did not match those of Nazism, lost their positions -Lawyers had to be members of the Nazi Lawyers association, were required to study Nazi ideology, so the law was interpreted differently by Nazi lawyers. -Ernst Huber, at the time a constitutional law professor at the university of Kiel, defined the Nazi concept of Law, as that the law was re-interpreted according to the will of the Fuhrer and the best interest of the German community -Concentration camps were not yet extermination camps, they still could be brutal places -between 1933-39 around 225,000 Germans were convicted of political crimes and a further 162,000 were placed in 'protective custody' in prison without trial

Did Hitler have opposition?

-Consolidation meant turning Germany into Nazi Germany by eliminating sources of opposition. -However, this not as easy as it appears, opposition still existed. - The left was now an underground movement. -The Elite-were involved in government, the Civil service, the army. -Some of them objected to the Nazi as they appeared to be attacking their wealth and statues. -Hitler needed Civil Servants with experience to help administer and run the new state. Therefore, he passed a law early in his rule. For the restoration of the Civil Service (April 1933). -"Alien elements" were purged → Jews -Opponents forced to retire. -Also, Professional Nazi Associations (like Trade Unions for White Collar Workers/ Professionals) began to spring up. -Nazi association of Judges, Lecturers, Teachers, Lawyers, etc. T -his was a purge of Jews and Opponents. This was Anti-Intellectualism. -Another source of opposition-The Nazis themselves, "Socialist" section, SA-working class. SA stands for Sturm Abtulung (Storm troopers).

Anti-Semitism

-European jews had suffered for centuries but the mid 19th century most jews were outside Russia had been assimilated into their communities -however, the growth of industrialisation which provided Jews with new opportunities for making money, had led to revival of anti-semitic feelings.

The superiority of the German Race

-German Volk (or Herrenvolk), originated in the writing of Johann Gottfried Von Herder -Hitler's desire to unite all people of German race, create a sense of national community (Volksgemeinschaft) -emphasise the superiority of the German's and demand a strong German state can all be traced back to these ideas. -this attitude at times can be referred to as Pan-German"

Spartacus Uprising

-German communists (KPD) -leaders: Rosa Luxemborg, Karl Liebkneight -this was crushed by the new government under Friedrich Ebert and a group of disgruntled right wing ex-soldiers called the Frei Korps -SPD in power=socialist party of Germany -this divided the German left for decades and helped Adolf Hitler.

The development of Nazi Ideology in the aftermath of the water

-Hitler believed that the armstice was 'the greatest villainy of the century' -'stabbed in the back' -The Nazi Party 25 point program, was a reaction to the war, it included a number of fundamental principles such as racialism, anti-semitism, and anti-democratic sentiment and the need to work for the greater good of the community -Hitler's ideas were brought together in Mein Kampf (my struggle), the main messages were: 1)Germany had to fight communism in order to regain world power status 2)Communism was the invention of jews, intent on jewish domination 4)national socialism was the only doctrine capable of fighting communism -Nazism had to prepare the population for war in order to obtain Lebensraum (living space) in the east -At the beginning, the party embraced socialism, (abolition of unearned income, the nationalisation of businesses, closing down big stores to allow small traders to flourish) however these socialist traits did not last long. -Hitler realised later on that he could only take leadership with the support of these business owners -the Nazis increasingly became anti-democratic, anti-modern due to the way they viewed the Weimar Republic

Night of the Long Knifes

-Hitler had been content to use the SA to destroy the communist party -but the SA was now becoming more uncontrollable, especially the leader of the SA, Ernst Rohm, who wanted to become the head of a joint Army-SA coalition, he believed in a second revolution to complete the 'Nazi Uprising" -Hitler did not want to upset the army, so he took the view that the SA was not needed anymore -When Himmler (head of the SS) and Goering spread rumours of an SA coup, Hitler thought it was time to take action -Rohm and 85 others (figure may have been nearer to 200) were killed on the 30th of June 1934, (Night of the long knifes) -Not all murders were SA men, one of them was Gregor Strasser, who had tried to split the party in 1932, and so was Von Schleicher (former Chancellor) -Von Papen was put under house arrest -it helped to confirm Hitler's authority -he justified his actions to the Reichstag by saying that he acted on behalf of the German people, and he gained credit for his 'heroic action' -the Reichstag, confirmed Hitler's powers had no constitutional bounds, and that his authority was derived from the will of the people and could not be challenged -Himmler's SS assumed dominance in Germany, -Hitler gained support of the Army commanders -In August, Hindenburg died, and the armed forces swore a personal oath of loyalty to hitler

January 30 1933

-Hitler was summoned to head a government with Von Papen as his deputy -Hitler, Hindenburg and Von Papen alike were content with their 'backstage intrigue' -Von Papen believed that he had made a good deal and would be able to push Hitler 'into a corner' within two months -Hitler instead called for immediate elections and mounted another massive propaganda campaign -he was helped by the Reichstag fire on 27th of Feb, which gave him an excuse to blame the communists, and ask Hindenburg to issue an emergency decree 'For the Protection of the People and State' (feb 28th) -with the power to search, arrest and censor 'until further notice'

What factors influenced Nazi economic policy?

-In 1933, Hitler had no clear economic ideas -there were some socialist ideas such as: -in the 25 point program he talked about supporting the needs of small farmers( 29% of the working population) and small urban traders -as the likelihood of power came nearer, he had to reassure big businesses, which fund his campaigns and make his dreams a reality -all peasant debts around 12 billion Reichsmarks, were suspended between March and October 1933 -He set up the Reich Food Estate (organisation that controlled food production) under Richard Darre, which gave peasant farmers guaranteed prices for their produce -The Reich Entailed Farm Law (September 1933) gave small farmers the security of tenure by forbidding the confiscation, division or mortgaging of any farm between 7.5 and 10 hectares, owned by aryan famers -there was also the Law for the Protection of Retail Trade (1933) which forbade the setting up of new department stores -But these things came second, because the Nazi's main aim was to strengthen German to fight a future war -It was the national aspect of the party's name that was the real drive force behind Nazi economic policy -This set up Wehrwirtschaft

The Catholic Church

-Jehovah's witnesses viewed as a cult. They were discriminated against and sent to concentration camps. They were very few other religions in Germany. Hence our focus is always on Jews and Christians. -Catholics- mainly in the South (Bavaria) -Represented earlier in the Zentrum Party -Conservative, possibly right-wing (many were anti-Semitic) -Mainly concerned about their own-influence, education system, land, money and youth groups -Hitler and the Nazis realised that to take on the Catholic Church was an exercise in futility. It would only create a formidable opponent. Therefore, it was best to reach an accommodation. -July 1935 the Concordat with the Church. The leaders of the German church decided not to challenge the Nazis. The Pope in Rome ratified this when a CONCORDAT (agreement) was reached and signed. The Nazis would leave religion and education policy for Catholics to the Catholic Church. In return the Catholic Church would not comment on the government of the Nazis.

5th of March 1933

-March 1933, the Nazis gained 43.9% of the vote, -this left hitler reliant on other parties to obtain two thirds majority needed to change the constitution -the conservative DNVP, which won 8% of the vote, offered support, but a deal had to be struck with the Catholic Centre Party which had won 11.2% of the vote -This committed the Nazi's to protect the Church -emergency decree was also used to expel all communists from the Reichstag. -SA-SS created support int he localities -as a brilliant piece of propaganda, on March 21, 1933 President Hindenburg was persuaded to stand alongside Hitler, in full military dress, at a ceremony of national reconciliation in Potsdam. -On the 23rd of March, the Enabling Act was passed, with only 94 SPD members voting against it -this was the base of Hitler's dictatorship -it destroyed the power of the Reichstag by allowing the chancellor to make laws without consultation for a period of four years -It took Hitler 4 months to set up a single party state, after the enabling act was passed. -he was able to combine his legal powers and the threat of force to remove or Nazify those groups or institutions that might limit his power -this process was called Gleichschaltung (a co-ordination process whereby all german institutions were to conform to Nazi ideals) -The constitution of 1919 was never abandoned, the Reichstag survived, but in the first 6 months, what lingering democracy there had been was destroyed.

Was Nazi Germany a totalitarian state and was Hitler 'master of the third reich?' Structuralist view

-Mommsen, Kershaw, Jeremy Noakes and Broszat (structuralist historians) believed that the -Third Reich was not a powerful totalitarian state and Hitler was a weak dictator -although the authority of the Fuhrer was never questioned, these historians argue that the formation of policy and decisions about its implementation were such a matter of guesswork, -as minsters and officials sought to 'work towards the Fuhrer' that the regime was chaotic

Women and the Contradiction

-Nazi's got round the apparent contradiction in policies by arguing that in wartime the whole of germany had become the home where women were required to serve -While they claimed to promote the importance of family values, they encouraged an independent youth that placed the party about the family -They extolled conventional morality and the importance of marriage they permitted illegitimate births and easier divorce, and advanced compulsory sterilisation for those with genetic defects -While they told women to stay at home in 1936 women were encouraged to return to the factories -while female education was discouraged by the war years women were encouraged to enter universities and train for professional jobs

Was there any organised opposition to Nazi Rule? - the young

-Not much opposition due to the propaganda, repression and general successes of Hitler's policies -In private some individuals might have read banned literature, or protected Jews or refused to join Nazi programs and groups -the young listened to Jazz music

How ready was Germany for war in 1939? - Historians view of the four year plan

-Overy thought " it was the foundation of preparation for total war" -Overy thought the decision to go to war caused, rather than was caused by, an economic crisis -he argues that the outbreak of war was decided by the ending of appeasement, not an economic need -also argues, that although Hitler was undoubtedly preparing for war he was not yet ready in 1939. -The theory is backed up by Hitler speech at the Hossbach Conference in Nov 1937. he argues that Britain and Grance would not fight for Czech independency and that Poland could be taken without a general war. -E.H. Carr claimed "it was not an attempt to switch from rearmament in breadth to rearmament in depth" -Tim Mason (marxist historian) argues that the german economy had reached a crisis point by 1938, and that it was so serious that it drove Germany to war - Mason argues that the regime, which had favoured capitalist businesses over workers, was unable to demand the 'sacrifices' necessary to pursue its ends, such as wage reductions -the conflict between guns and butter threatened unrest in the working class, and led Hitler to go into war before this would happen -most historians agree that for what ever reason Germany was not fully prepared to go to war by 1939 -Taylor, stressed that Hitler was unable to concentrate on rearmament because he need to keep up consumer production -Burton Klein, put forward the view that Germany was ready for a short war of Blitzkrieg (lightning warfare) but not for total war, which Hitler never intended, he is supported by this with the 30% increase in production of consumer goods between 1936-39 -The Nazi-Soviet Pact 1939, also first the view that Hitler planned to absorb Poland peacefully and use Polish resources for economic build up before launching into full scare war perfect in 1942 -when hitler's plans for peaceful expansion failed he told Goering that he wanted 'complete conversion of the economy to wartime requirements' -it is likely that it was at this stage that target dates had to be brought forward and a new acceleration applied

How did the political circumstances of Germany after 1918 contribute to the rise of Nazism?

-Paul von Hindenberg (2nd President of the Weimar Republic) choose chancellors who would not control the Reichstag. •This lead to the weakenss of the Weimar Republic. •political threat from the (Spartacus League) •Political threat from the Conservative Elite •German nationalists showed their contempt for the Republic, in the Military Kapp Putsch (attempts to overthrow the state) of March 1920, and the 'White Terror' of 1920-22 (400 political murders occurred) by the Freikorps (volunteer groups of demobilised soldiers who continued to fight for right-wing values. •Hitler attempted his Beer Hall Putsch in November 1923, this was done to show the strength of the Nazi party, this was seen as a failure but it did help show the Weimar republic, as a struggling democracy. •from 1924 to 1929, the political problems have merely been submerged but not eliminated. A Grand Coalition was formed •by 1929, economic problems worsened, and the parties of the Reichstag became divided. By 1930, the Grand Coalition collapsed, opening for a breakdown of democracy

Protestant Church

-Protestant church (both Lutheran and Calvinist branches), with the rise of the Nazis created a 'German Christian movement' calling for a new national People's Church -supported by young pastors and theology students who saw the nazi's 'national uprising as the opportunity for religious as well as political renewal" -German Christians described themselves as the SA of the Church and adopted uniform, marches and salutes -their motto was "the swastika on our breasts and the cross in our hearts" May 1933: -Hitler set up the Reich Church, with the help of German Christians, he appointed Reich Bishop to co-ordinate the Protestant churches under his authority, Ludwig Muller took this position in July Sept 1933: - a group of 100 pastors headed by Martin Niemoller set up the Pastors Emergency League to resist the German Christians, and defeat traditional Lutheratism, some members were arrested, which provoked massive demonstrations Oct 1934: -the pastors league broke with the Reich Church to form their own Confessional Church, Hitler then gave up to restrain the Protestant Church this left the protestant church divided into 3 1)the official reich church, under Muller with co-operated with the regime 2) the german christians, who tried to control the reich church 3) the confessional church, subject to harassment from both the state and other church authorities -Hitler tried to weaken the church but it was sporadic and uncoordinated , because the way the Nazi stat was run

Struggle and the survival of the fittest

-Social Darwinists (Darwin never intended for this to happen) distorted Darwin's ideas so that just like animals, human races, were driven by an instinctive fight for survival -they suggested that struggle and warfare were healthy activities, that allowed the best to rise to the top, while leaving the weak to perish -for the fight for survival, individuals were not important.

How did Nazism affect the arts and cultural life?

-The nazi's believed that germany had an impressive cultural history placed the arts in a great position in german society -elite art (sculptures), and the more popular art (broadcasting) were perceived as media for reinforcing german's shared statehood and race. -they despised, the 'decant' art era of the Weimar republic and exploited the 'traditional' art forms that were unadventurous, of high moral standing, dominated by aryanism and that glorified the mystical past. main themes or art were 1)blood and soil, peasants were cast as representative of pure aryan blood of german people and his struggles with the soil and the weather glorified 2) anti-feminsm, reflected in the 'Gretchen Myth' 3)anti-semitism 4) order

Why did it take until the 1938 for Hitler's power to be fully consolidated? The Army and the SS

-There was also concern over the SS which Hitler claimed it was the domestic policy force, it increased after the destruction of the SA -the SS was established to be part of the war time army in 1938 -this caused uneaseness in the army -the SS Totenkopf (death's head) units were also expanded as a reserve military force and according to historian Bernd Wegner "it was no longer a question of wether the SS units would be allowed to share in military conquests in the years to come; the disputes now concerned only their assignment, size and organisation"

Was there any organised opposition to Nazi Rule? -the universities

-Top universities such as Munich University was another centre of organised resistance in wartime -at the university Hans Scholl formed the White Rose group in 1941, the members distributed pamphlets, and revealed the truth about Nazi treatment of Jews and Slavs -in 1943, they became more daring and painted anti-Nazi slogans on public buildings, -however, they were caught, and Hans Scholl, his sister Sophie and other members were executed -such activities flourished in a a number of parts in Germany showing that not all young people were indoctrinated by the regime

Wehrwirtschaft

-a defence economy that would provide for Germany's needs in a future war -this principle became more important after 1936 -and needed a managed economy, whereby the state regulated the economic life Wehrwirtschaft included: -the pursuit of self sufficiency -autarky which drove out socialist ideas by demanding the development of large-scale farms -the acceleration of rearmament, needed the help of big businesses) -hence, between July 1933-36 over 1600 new cartel ( an agreement between companies to work together to reduce the production costs and improve efficiency) were put in place -historian Richard Grunberger estimated: -only 40% of German production was in the hands of such monopolies sin 1933 but it was 70% in 1937 -many industries and companies became associated with the regime such as Krupp, the arms and steel manufacturer -Hitler, 1937 to building workers "the decisive factor is not the theory but the performance of the regime" -Bracher (historian) has also said something like that "at no time did the National Socialism develop a consistent economic or social theory" - and that the ideological ideas could be contradictory and there was a conflict between the continuance of private ownership and increased state direction

Jews

-around 500,000 Jews in Germany (less than 1% of the population) and most were assimilated in the German community -Jews were portrayed by the Nazi regime as a serious racial threat and the root cause of Germany's ills Timeline: -The Boycott of Jewish shops and businesses in March 1933 -not repeated as the economy was to fragile, just done to appease the SA. -The Restoration of a Professional Civil Service (Jewish civil servants were dismissed) 1933 -Nuremberg Laws (Law of Protection of German Blood) banned marriage between Jews and Germans and deprived Jews from German citizenship. 1935 -1938. Jews were no longer awarded public contracts, Jews could no longer be employed in businesses, Jewish doctors, lawyers and businessmen could only provide their services for other Jews. Jews were obliged to have a 'J' on their passport. Had to call their children Sarah or Israel. -9/10 of November 1928 Night of the Broken Glass (15th anniversary of the Munich Beer Hall Putsch) attacks on synagogues, businesses, homes and shops. 20,000 Jews sent to concentration camps, 91 murdered, hundreds injured. -'the night the national soul boiled over' -official excuse was for the murder by a jew of Ernst Von Rath, german diplomatic official in Paris, in reality it was orchestrated by Goebbels -Between 1934-39, jewish migration outside of Germany. -Sept 1939- 3 million Jews were added to the German Empire, jews were placed in Ghettos had to respect a curfew, had to wear a yellow star, had to perform labour service -1942 after the Wannsee Conference Jews were gassed in the concentration camps. The Final Solution. this was done in secret, but the fact that scarce resources were diverted to facilitate this holocaust, when germans were struggling with war, shows the irrationalist of the Nazis. Hitler threatened ' the annihilation of the Jewish race in Europe'

The Weimar Republic

-called the Weimar Republic because for the first few months or so the new democratic German government had to sit in the picturesque German town of Weimar, because of the violence and rebellion in the country -why? Germany in Chaos due to the war, famine, poverty, unemployment Economic Crisi -> social unrest -> possible political change -the war ended abruptly, Great fear of communist uprisings in Germany and in other European Nations -In Germany, communists had taken over a few towns and cities including Munich and Russia -Armstice on the 11/11/18: -Germany has to quickly organise a) a constitution elections 2)reform the political thought 3) introduction to democracy

Was Nazi Germany a totalitarian state and was Hitler 'master of the third reich?' continuation

-having no clearly organised pattern to government also appeared to hitler's fundamental laziness and lack of interest in bureaucratic detail -Hitler had plenty of fanaticism and charisma, routine governmental business failed to interest him -he was not an early riser and preferred to spend his days reading newspapers, going for walks, watching feature films and talking with his cronies -Hitler preferred to talk rather than listen and when he did listen, he only heard what he wanted to hear -subordinates often with held information they feared might displease him -from 1934 Hitler played a very little party in the meetings of the Reich Cabinet, from 1937 it ceased to meet altogether -Hitler spent a lot of time in his mountain retreat, the Berghof, in the Bavarian Alps, government papers were conveyed to him, there was no guarantee that he would read them, -very often people have to fight for access to the Fuhrer to get approval for actions -Hitler avoided making decisions as much as possible and what he made them, they were usually spur of the moment -he had to be caught at the right time, and patient Nazi officials had to wait for chance or casual remark which they could claim to be the authority of the Fuhrer -this state of affairs did not help a regime that depended on Hitler's decisions to run smoothly

How did Nazism affect the arts and cultural life? Goebbels

-he encourage propaganda May 1933: -he coordinated 'burning of the books', this destroyed works associated with jews, bolsheviks, negroes and as well as anything un-german Annual Great German Art Exhibition: -the Reich Chamber of Culture ensured that only arts suitable for the masses were permitted -highly censored -many artists were expelled or went into voluntary exile Concert Halls: -Jewish composers such as Mahler were banned -modernists paintings in art galleries were removed -some artists, such as Richard Strauss, remained to give the government some respectability, he lated became the first president of the Reich Chamber of Music The Wagnerian Bayreuth Festival: -became a popular festival -attendance at arts events was subsidised and encouraged through works outing and special 'strength through joy' or Hitler Youth Events Films: -popular diversion, provided relaxation and to offer a shared experience, binding the community together -the Reich Film Chamber controlled the content of German films and foreign films that could be shown -not everything produced was an artistic disaster, but individual creativity and inspiration was lost in the interests of Gleichschaltung, and the desire to use culture as a propagandist tool -some positive advantages occurred: 1)music suffered the least 2)after the war, artistic expression in West Germany seemed to pick up where the Weimar Republic left of, almost as if the Nazi era never existed.

How effectively did Speer manage the wartime German economy? -During Speer

-he managed to turn war time economy around even though Himmler and Goering were against him April 1942: -he persuaded Hitler to establish a Central Planning Board to organise the allocation of raw materials and ensure a larger proportion went into war -set norms for the multiple use of separately manufactures parts to reduce unnecessary duplication -provided for the substitution of raw materials and the development of new processes -increased industrial capacity -places bands or limits on the manufacture of unnecessary goods -set schedules and issues output comparisons -organised the distribution of labour, machinery and power supplies -Speer worked hard, but Hitler was a little doubtful, never having understood how the German economy worker -Speer had to counter the prejudice from both Hitler and Fritz Saukel (responsible for the supply of labour Jan 43: women could work in factories -Labour supplies were maintained with the use of 7 million workers, transferred to german factories In the first six months of Speer's control: -overall armament production rose by 50% -Guns 27%, tanks 25% and ammunition 97% -work continued despite military losses, defeats and allied bombing attacks -a monthly average of 110,000 tonnes of bombs dropped on germany in the second quarter of 1944, many on fuel plants and refineries -yet the production of planes reached peak production in 1944 at 25,285

How ready was Germany for war in 1939? - what was the Four Year Plan? Aug 1936

-headed by Hermann Goering -emphasis to be placed on self sufficiency or autarky: plants were to be built for production of ersatz (substitute) synthetic material, such as artificial rubber, which could be made out of acetylene -special encouragement was to be given to the chemical industry and the development of synthetic fuel (such as using coal to produce oil) -steelworks were to be developed, using the lower grade ores that were available within Germany -emphasis on production of heavy machinery -the office of the four year plan was to issue regulations controlling foreign exchange, labour, raw material distribution and prices -targets for private industry were to be established through six sub offices with special responsibilities for production and distribution The memorandum that launched the plan asserted that "the german armed forces must be operational within four years" and "the german economy must be fit for war within four years" -it extended Nazi control by setting up a managed economy in cooperation with big businesses -private industry continued but failure to conform met being taken over by the government

What part did propaganda and repression play in Hitler's consolidation of power? The use of Propaganda

-in march 1933 Hitler set up the 'Ministry for popular enlightenment and propaganda' under the control of Goebbels -Hitler believed that the masses could be won over through propaganda in schools, towns, workplaces. -It controlled 2/3 of the press by 1939 -the Nazis made great use of the Radio, using the Reich Broadcasting Corporation, created in 1933 -it prevented other people from listening to any other broadcasts, and cafe's restaurants, etc, were forced to play the broadcasts -'Heil Hitler' salute, became the official form of greeting -Cinema: -Nazi's used film less effectively then radio -romances, thrillers and musicals had to conform to Nazi ideological principles -There were constants parties in the name of Nazism and Hitler - -Propaganda according to the Historian David Welch: -more successful in reinforcing than in countering existing attitudes -Most take some credit in the ease in which Hitler consolidate his rule

The Cult of the Leader- Fuhrerprinzip

-in the 1880's philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche put forward the idea, that there were superior races, so there were superior individuals -he suggested that a man with 'will power' was needed to lead the lower orders and such a leader would be superior -an Ubermensch (super human). This was to justify the idea of fuhrerprinzip, or indispensable leader.

How important was the role of ideology in Nazi Germany?

-it attracted and inspired followers -Hitler advised policies in keeping with his fundamental beliefs -through gleichschaltung (a co-ordination process whereby all german institutions were to conform to Nazi ideals) he co-ordinated all aspects of the state to serve his ends -the idea of Volksgemeinscheft (the belief that loyalty to the state is more important than to any other thing) was spread to youth, community workers, organisations such as Beauty of Labour and strength through joy -the importance in competition and survival of the fittest, was seen through the way policies were carried out -Nationalism underpinned Hitler's defiance of the Treaty of Versailles -racism led actions against minority groups and virulent anti-semitism, through a series of anti-jewish actions and legislation -furthermore, the name of the Nazi Party (NSDAP- National Socialist German Worker's Party) had become meaningless. The Socialist part no longer applied -Hitler changed his ideology, to further improve his political ends,

Euthanasia

-launched a propaganda campaign to devalue people with mental or physical disabilities as 'burdens on the community' 1939: -practiced in secret, targeted children under 3, but it extended to children up to 16 -1945: 5000 children had been murdered by injection or starvation -to expand this to adults, carbon monoxide gas was used in 6 mental hospitals in germany Aug 1941: -programme was officially stopped because of public outrage, 72,000 people had been murdered -Between 1941 and 43 the secret programme 14F13 led to the gassing of 30,000 to 50,000 in concentration camps on grounds of mental illness and physical incapacity

Gypsies

-only 30,000 thousand Gypsies in Germany but were persecuted due to their alleged inferior racial characters -were included in the Nuremberg Laws of 1935 -physical traits were analysed and efforts made to distinguish between pure gypsies and half gypsies at the Research Centre for Racial Hygiene and Biological Population Studies 1938: -Gypsies were registered and from 1940 deported from Poland to work in camps -Dec 1942: transferred to Auschwitz, used for experiments -around half a million Jews were murdered in occupied Europe

Freikorps

-proto nazis -nationalists -monarchists -ex-military/youth who had missed the war -Felt betrayed -'Stabbed in the back' theory by the 'November Criminals', who were; jews, elite and communists.

Did the Nazi's perform an 'economic miracle'? -The Nazi economic polices were not a total success

-reserves of foreign policy remained low -balance of payments continued to be in deficit, grew worse after 1936, when Schacht's influence declined -rearmament put a strain on the economy, -even though real wages increased, the price of food rose to the detriment of poorer peasants and urban workers. -Kershaw and Overy who do not believe in the strong dictator theory -also believe that there was no coherent Nazi economic policy, -so we should not describe it as a 'Miracle". ] -Also they claim many Nazi economic policies were not carefully thought through and evolved according to political whims. "Patriotism, the last refuge of the scoundrel" Dr. Samuel Johnson

Was there any organised opposition to Nazi Rule? -the law/the church

-some judges refused to administer 'Nazi justice' -Churchmen such as Bishop Galen and pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke out against Nazi policies -The Kreisau Circle, at at the home of Helmut Von Moltke, here aristocrats, lawyers, SPD politicians such as Julius Leber and churchmen such as Bonhoeffer engaged in discussion as to how to remove Hitler -the group held three meeting in 1942-43 before being broken up by the Gestapo

Was there any organised opposition to Nazi Rule? -the socialists

-some socialists distributed anti-nazi leaflets, or wrote slogans in public places -others emigrated and joined the SPD in exile, which operated from Prague and organised under groups groups such as the Berlin Red Patrol, and the Hanover Socialist Front November 1939: -George Else, a socialist cabinet maker, planted a bomb in a beer hall where Hitler was speaking, it failed to kill him as he had already left, -the KDP also formed, underground cells where they issued leaflets attacking the regime -The Rote Kapelle (red orchestra) was a resistance network that gathered information to send to the russians, but it was broken up in 1942.

How did Nazi's ensure the support of the youth? how was it received?

-the HJ was well received by young people -however, some disliked the regiment, and by 1930 alternative illegal youth groups began to attract growing numbers -this included the workign class Edelweiss Pirates and the middle upper class swing movement, danced to american jazz (black)music and wearing american style clothing

Why did it take until the 1938 for Hitler's power to be fully consolidated? The Army and the treaty of Versailles

-the army favoured the reversal of the Treaty of Versailles, and limited conquest to restore the old empire -However, it was strongly against the idea of war with Russia -the traditional ally of the Prussian Junkers (the landed nobility of Prussia, who dominated the officer class of the German army), did not support Hitler's policies of Lebensraum -Top army generals were critical when at the Hossbach Conference of 5 November 1937 Hitler laid down plans for rapid expansion in the east -The plans were summarised in the Hossbach memorandum, Only Goering spoke in favour of the plans, Von Fritsch and hitler's war minister General Warner von Blomberg opposed the palns

Why did it take until the 1938 for Hitler's power to be fully consolidated? The Army

-the army still retained the power to prevent his ambitions from being realised -he left the army structurally unchanged until 1938 -However, many attempts were made to Nazify the institution by: -the adoption of the swastika insignia -Nazi training schemes and indoctrination -Hitler referred to the army as the 'second pillar of the state', working along side the Nazi Party -since most officers shared Hitler's national aspirations, the relationship was generally successful -the army agreed with Hitler's way of enforcing the law -and his reputation of the disarmament clauses of the Treaty of Versailles in March 1935, restoration of conscription, and promise to expand the peacetime army to more than 500,000 men also met with favour However there were some problems: -some generals condemned the pace of rearmament, -Commander in Chief, Werner Von Fritsch, said that Hitler was 'rushing everything far too much and destroying every healthy development'

Guns and Butter

-the need to provide the german people with a reasonable standard of living was difficult to reconcile with a commitment to rearmament. -Hitler never solved the this conflict between 'guns and butter' -this term is used by historians to describe the Nazi's preparation of war. -The Nazi's could not invest heavily on rearmament (guns) while maintaining standards of living (butter) -there was shortage in fats in germany both for consumption (butter, margarine) and for industrial purposes (grease)

How ready was Germany for war in 1939? - was the four year plan a failure? Aug 1936

-there was growth in output in all of the key areas -overall targets were not met (especially those for synthetic rubber, fuel, fats and light material) and the production of synthetic substitutes proved costly -to produce one tonne of oil it took sic tonnes of coal 1939: Germany still imported one third of all its raw material, including iron ore, oil, and rubber -remained a shortage of foreign exchange to buy necessary imports -impeded by bureaucratic inefficiency and internal rivalry -

How extensive was the persecution of minorities within the Nazi state?

-those who failed to meet Volksgenossen (person who is racially pure and considered worthy of German citizenship) were subject to intimidation and persecution 1)asocials such as habitual criminals, the work shy, tramps and beggars, alcoholics and prostitutes, gay men - lesbians and juvenile delinquents 2)biological outsiders, including those suffering hereditary defects that were considered a threat o the future of the German race and those who were regarded as a threat because of their race, such as gypsies and jews.

Did the Nazi's perform an 'economic miracle'?

-unemployment fell from 6 million to 2.5 within 18 months of Hitler's coming to power -Out of the 6 million unemployed, 4 million had been absorbed into the army. - The rest 2 million entered agriculture or machinery. - Nonetheless, foreign currency remained low, and the balance of payments remained to be in deficit. Wages did increase but so did the price of food. -by 1936 unemployment was at 1.6 million and by 1939 bellow 200,000 -Economic investment increase -public expenditure reached 23.6 billion Reichsmarks in 1939 (it was 17.1 billion in 1932 and 18.4 in 1933) -however, when hitler took power the economic situation was not as bad as what he would like to suggest -thanks to Bruning reparations ended and unemployment had already began to fall in 1932 -Work creation schemes had been established and the world economic recovery had laid the basis for the so called 'Nazi Economic Miracle -The Nazi economic polices were not a total success

How did Nazi's ensure the support of the youth? importance

-very important to the Nazis -Hans Schemm leader of the Nazi Teacher League 'those who have youth on their side control the future' July 1933 -Baldur von Schirach appointed as 'youth leader of the German Reich', by the end of 1933 he had control over all youth organisations and by 1939 also the catholic ones. Boys: Pimpfen (6-10 years), Deutsches Jungvolk (DJ, 10-14 years) and Hitlerjugend (HJ 14-18) Girls: Junge Madel (JM 10-14), Bund Deutscher Mader (BDM-18) and Glaube und Schonheit (league of feith and beauty 18-21) -these organisations had two aimns 1) to train boys for war 2)to train girls for motherhood

How effectively did Speer manage the wartime German economy? Pre-Speer Time

-when war started, Nazi rearmament programs were only half completed -Early German victories were more of a result of their enemies weaknesses, then German armaments -Resources were not used efficiently, the army could call up on any worker, regardless of their training -Hitler's failure to defeat britain in 1940 and the soviet union in 1941, created a terrible situation for the German economy, -rather than a short blitzkrieg, it had to sustain a long war -Fritz Todt was made minister of armaments and munitions in march 1940. -He died in 1942 and was replaced by Speer. -Todt had laid the foundations for Speer by setting up a series of committees with chairmen from industries to rationalise production -Erhard Milch also organised aircraft production through committees linking producers and contractors but suffered the same level or amy bureaucracy

How far did the circumstances of 1929-33 open they way for Hitler's rise to power? The Reichstag Elections

1) July 1932 -Nazis won over 230 seats and became the largest German party in the Reichstag. -However, with just 37.7% of the vote, they did not have the majority and were financially exhausted. -Hitler refused Hindenberg's offer to the vice-chancellorship, wanting only the 'top job' -Hitler found it difficult to keep a restraint on the SA, who thought that they should grasp power by revolution 2) November 1932 -Nazi support declined, 196 seats -Joseph Goebbels, director of propaganda said 'this year has brought us eternal ill luck. The past was sad, and the future looks dark and gloomy; all changes and hopes have quite disappeared' -the KDP which in july had won 89 seats, increased their vote by 17% to obtain 100 seats in Nov. -But the KDP refused to co-operate with the Social Democratic Party (SPD) (who had 121 seats). -And the KDP's electoral victories and huge presence in the street, scared the conservative elite and this encouraged them to turn to Hitler.

How far did the circumstances of 1929-33 open they way for Hitler's rise to power?

1929-30: -withdrawal of US loans and the collapse in the export market had catastrophic repercussions for Germany -'The Grand Coalition" formed under Chancellor Muller in 1928 seemed powerless, unemployment went from 2 million in 1929 to 4.5 in 1931 and nearly 6 million in 1931 -1/3 of Germany did not have regular wages, this was fuel to extremist parties such as the Nazi's -Nazi's claimed to be a national party: they would keep out communism, uphold law and order, return to traditional-middle class values and restore national strength -they no specific formula, to end unemployment in Germany and aid to small scare traders remained vague -After the Grand Coalition there followed 5 elections in three years. The presidents struggle to rule without parliamentary majorities and were propped up by to use of the president's decree powers -The Nazi's on the other hand, according to historian Alan Bullock "a display of energy, demand for discipline, sacrifice, action and not talk" -In the Elections of Sept 1930, the Nazis had 107 seats-improvement from the previous 12 -Hitler also made capital out of the presidential elections of 1932, when he challenged Von Hindenburg and forced a second vote

Why did it take until the 1938 for Hitler's power to be fully consolidated? Von Blomberg and von Fritsch

1938: -Hitler had General Werner von Blomberg (Hitler's war minster) dismissed due to having married a prostitute. So Hitler became his own war minister - Commander in Chief Von Fritsch was also dimissed, on the grounds of being gay, (of which later was disproved) -Without Von Blomberg and Von Fritsch, Hitler became his own war minister combining his position as supreme commander with an additional political role -to prove this, he renamed the war ministry into the 'high command of the armed forces' (OKW) and Wilhelm Keitel, was appointed chief, he worked under Hitler's direct control -Those who failed to support Hitler's ideas were removed -16 generals left the arm and 44 were transferred -although, many aristocratic officers still remained suspicious of hitler, this brought Hitler's consolidation of power to a close Hitler's popular triumphs, beginning with re-militarasiation of the Rhineland in 1936 -embracing Anschluss with Austria and entry into Czechoslovakia in 1938, -made him virtually unassailable and the new generation of commanders such as Heinz Guderian and Erwin Rommel became his followers

Was Nazi Germany a totalitarian state and was Hitler 'master of the third reich?'

1938: -it seemed that there was an effective and successful totalitarian regime, and the head with an all powerful Fuhrer with unlimited power, which filtered down to his Reich Cabinet and state governors to keep everyone in line, but studies show that it was done as perfect as everyone thought -It is now more common to see the Nazi regime as a confused, polycratic (a government system made of overlapping bodies such ministries and party organisations) system due to: -Hitler superimposed the party structure as to crease competition -e.g. within the chancellery, made up of Hitler's closest friends, he allowed competences to overlap so that no one was quite sure of who was responsible for what. According to Historian Broszat: -Hitler created a 'confusing system of empires' -this accounts for the 'cumulative radicalism' (process whereby policies and actions become more extreme) that marked the Nazi regime -claims that policies grew more extreme because party leaders were constantly trying to go one stage further to please or impress hitler

Was Nazi Germany a totalitarian state and was Hitler 'master of the third reich?' According to Historian Broszat

According to Historian Broszat: -Hitler created a 'confusing system of empires' -this accounts for the 'cumulative radicalism' (process whereby policies and actions become more extreme) that marked the Nazi regime -claims that policies grew more extreme because party leaders were constantly trying to go one stage further to please or impress hitler -this confusion fitted with Hitler's ideological belief of survival of the fittest - it left him to intervene only when it suited him.

How extensive was the persecution of minorities within the Nazi state? Asocials

Asocial: •Tramps, petty criminals, prostitutes, chronic alcoholics, drug addicts - those who did not contribute to the Volksgenossen. •Homosexuals •Racial outsiders- mainly gypsies 1933: -300,000-500,00 beggars and tramps were rounded up -the young unemployed were given a permit (Wanderkarte) had to do compulsory work in return for board and lodgings, -work shy were dealt under the Law Against Dangerous Habitual Criminals, sent to concentration camps, had to wear a black triangle, could be sterilised, 1938: -another big round up took place under the Work-Shy Reich programme, -those arrested were sent to Buchenwald, out of the 10,000 tramps imprisoned, during the Third Reich few survived 1939: -the Reich Central Agency for the Struggle Against Juvenile Delinquency was established and youth concentration camps in Moringen near Hannover in 1940 -youths were subject to biological and racial examinations, those who did not pass were sterilised. 1940: -Community Alien Law had been carried out: -all those considered deficient in mind or character would have been treated the same way as the youths, but this policy was abandoned due to war

How successful were the Nazis in bringing about economic recovery in the year 1933 to 39 -debt

Debt: -Schacht wanted to decrease Germanys debt, he did so by 1933 imposing controls, were introduced to limit the drain of Germany's foreign exchange by paying foreign debts in Reichsmarks. -by 1934, creditors were given bonds instead. -Creditor countries opposed this move, they failed to co-operate to put pressure on Germany -this failure by creditors led to the creation of The New Plan

How successful were the Nazis in bringing about economic recovery in the year 1933 to 39 -Unemployment

How did they address them? -Balance of payments, -Stimulating the Economy -Reducing unemployment -Hitler appointed Dr. Hjalmar Schacht in 1933 as president of the Reichsbank (non nazi but well respected) July 1933 three laws were passed to reduce unemployment: -Government spending on public works schemes -subsidies for private construction -income tax rebates/loans to encourage industrial activity Other measures to combat unemployment were: -emergency relief schemes -recruitment in Reich Labour Service (RAD), the unemployed were sent to work on various civil, military and agricultural projects. -A 7000klm motorway was being built -No machinery could be used for building when surplus labour was available -an expansion of the party -discouragement of female labour including marriage allowances to remove women from the work force -in March 1935, conscription and increase in rearmament

How did Hitler consolidate his position and create a one party state between match and july 1933?

March 1933-August 1934. Hitler had won the election but still had only 44% of the vote. 1) He needed to win the support of other parties to ensure a working majority. Two parties willing to support him DNVP- very right wing and the Zentrum- the Catholic centre Party. Hitler made promises to leave the Catholic land, money and education alone in return for the support for the Catholics. Catholics mainly in the very conservative, South (Bavaria). They were willing to compromise! 2) The Enabling Act was passed, March 1933, Cabinet rules without asking the Reichstag, only 3 Nazis in the cabinet, therefore, the elite and other parties still felt they could control him. 3) 1st of April, boycott of Jewish businesses- gave an indication of Nazi Party towards Jews 4) 2nd of May 1933-Having allowed International Labour Day to happen Hitler promptly banned all Trade Unions from the 2nd of May, introducing the DAF. 5) June 1933- all other right wing parties disband themselves. June 22- SPD banned, communists already banned. 6) July 1933-Catholics centre Party disbanded -At the end of the month, the catholic church its self (The Pope himself) signed an agreement with the Nazis, ratifying the earlier agreement between the Church in Germany and the Party. July 14th- Law against the establishment of parties- Only party is the NSDAP. -Election of Nov 1933 only allowed Nazis to stand- the Nazis won a clear majority! 7) December 1933-a One party state was legally founded and established with the "Law to ensure the Unity of Party and State". Germany was now Nazi Germany. 8) January 1934- saw the end of regional governments (landes) - The elimination of these governments had begun as soon as the Nazis came to power. - The one party Nazi state had to be centrally government with Hitler in charge - The Nazis seized public offices - The media was threatened and beaten

How did Nazi's ensure the support of the youth? Schools

Napolas: fell under the influence of the SS. They produced highly trained youngsters for the armed forces. Classes known as platoons and the routine of the school was based on that of a military camp with a communal style of living and sporting drills before breakfast. Adolf Hitler Schools: were strongly influenced by the Hitler Youth. Ordensburgen: were party controlled Nazi colleges, set up 1937, with an emphasis on physical training.

How successful were the Nazis in bringing about economic recovery in the year 1933 to 39 -other factors

Other Factors: -avoidance of labour troubles with the dissolution of the trade unions -banning of strikes and the creation of the DAF in May 1933 and the Nazis continued use of propaganda to increase the illusion of success and prosperity and maintain confidence. -there were other 'windfalls' such as the seizure of Jewish prosperity and Austrian assets, following the Anschluss of 1938. -the world was going through an improvement in the economy -the world was preparing for war so unemployment decreased everywhere.

1919-23

Period of Chaos -Spartacists January 1919 -Violence through out the country -Treaty of Versailles 1919 -Kapp Putsch, Berlin 1920 -Rural crisis -Hyper inflation The Much Beer Hall Putsch Nov 1923: -Anger -Humiliation -Frustration -Unemployment -Poverty -Hardship -Desire for revenge -Political unrest Who was affected? -EVERYONE -to a greater or lesser extent

Hitler's ideology

Supremacy of the State and Volksgemeinschaft: -the belief that loyalty to the state is more important than any other loyalty -people should feel bound together by blood as a single community Social Darwinism: -the acceptance that life is a constant struggle, and without interference the strongest will win. Lebensraum: -the right of the superior German race to acquire living space for its people Pan-Germanism, Herrenvolk: -the supremacy of the German Aryans as the master race Anti-Democracy: -a conviction that democracy gives undue weight to weaker peoples and mediocrities Fuhrerprinzip: -the principle that the leaders will is the source of all political authority, from this he developed the cult of the leader Anti-Feminism: -the woman's role is the bearer of future Aryans Anti-Marxism Anti Seimitism Blut And Boden (blood and soil): -the belief that blood of the community is rooted in the soil Anti Versailles: Against the 'November Criminals" who had 'stabbed in the back' the german people

How successful were the Nazis in bringing about economic recovery in the year 1933 to 39 -the new plan of september 1934

The New Plan: Schacht made up a plan called The New Plan, it included: -increased government regulation of imports -the development of trade with less developed countries -the development of German trade with central and southeast Europe -Trade agreements with the Balklands and South American states, -provided import of vital raw materials. -Encouraged such countries to buy German goods, --William Shirer said' Schacht's creation of credit, in a country that had little liquid capital and almost no financial reserves, was the work of a genius'.

Debate about Hitler's ideology

The intentionalists: - argue that Hitler's policies were shaped by ideology and that he knew from a very early stage what he wanted to accomplish. -They see Hitler's actions as part of a carefully conceived plan to translate ideology into action. Structuralist's: - on the other hand, believe that Hitler's actions were moulded by the circumstances and that, while he had a broad ideological principles, the actual detail of his policies evolved almost haphazardly. -Proof of the structuralists ideology, Hitler's policy over women was full of holes, because as more men went to war, more women were needed to work in the factories. -His ideology hence had to respond to different events.

How successful were the Nazis in bringing about economic recovery in the year 1933 to 39 -to stimulate the economy

To stimulate the economy: -tax concessions were offered -Schacht also raised money for investment through 'Mefo Bills" Deficit: -There Mefo bills issued by the Reichsbank were guaranteed by the government) they were meant for deficit financing -they were paid back 5 years later with interests from the increased government tax revenue, the repayments amounted to 50% of government expenditure until 1935 -These bills permitted for subsidies and agreements, -these stimulated housing construction, and other industries. (also rearmament)

What was the position of women in the nazi state?

Women: -Put on a pedestal by Hitler -His mothers birthday was declared national holiday -Held the future of Germany within them- literally -Had a very defined, prescribed role as did all the groups in German Society wives, mothers) -Profession women removed from their posts (1934) -Women encouraged to remain at home to breed. Therefore marriage loans were given (around 1000 RM) to encourage marriage, and family and hence stability- it also removed women form the work force. -birth control centres were closed -abortion was made illegal unless necessary for the eradication of 'genetic defects -maternity benefits were increased 1935: -Lebensborn (Spring of life) single women (with good racial credentials ) were encouraged to become pregnant with selected SS men as fathers 1939: 'The honour cross of German motherhood' or 'mothers cross' was established to encourage all women to 'bear a child for the fuhrer' 1) Encouragement for Marriage and families: 2) Punishment for failure to conform: 3) Contradictory policies: -only the genetically pure were allowed to procreate -couples needed a certificate 'fitness to marry' before a marriage license could be produced -after 1938, 'unproductive' marriages could be ended 1941: couples found cohabiting after their marriage was ended could be sent to concentration camps -mothers who failed to send their children to the hitler youth could have their children removed -after 1936, for rearmament some women were drawn back to the labour force -in 1943, women could be conscripted for the war effort

How extensive was the persecution of minorities within the Nazi state? Biological outsiders

july 1933: -compulsory sterilisation for those suffering from hereditary illness -such as schizophrenia and chronic alcoholism -350,000 people were sterilised under this law -people who had been sterilised were forbidden to marry fertile partners

How did the Nazi movement develop between 1919 and 1929? Continuation

•After 1924, the Nazis changed tactics, discipline was tightened, Hitler demanded discipline, because 'he knew best'. The Schutstafeel (SS) was set up in 1925-26, supposed to be Hitler's body guards, this fialed and the SA was refounded in 1926. •New party organizations were created, for women, students, and young people and teachers, this helped increase its appeal to a wide spectrum of society. •The golden years of the Weimar Republic did not help, but the Nazi did try to gain supporters, concerning the middle class and the farmers of northern germany. •By 1928, the Nazis had only won 12% of the votes. •Hitler did gain more publicity by joining the right wing German national peoples party in a campaing against the Young plan of 1929, (which had been a negotiation to ease the reparations burden •By December 1929, membership had risen to 178,00,

What part was played by the economic conditions of the 1919-1929 period?

•French and Belgians occupied the Ruhr, because Germany could now pay the heavy cost of reparations •To pay the welfare assistance to workers, who were ordered to meet the invasion of the Ruhr with passive resistance (refusal to work) , the government over printed money, plus the loss of production created hyperinflation. (a very high rate of inflation) •Hyper inflation was solved by 1924, by creating a new currency, there was huge loss in savings. •The government was forced to ask the US for loans, because of the lack of domestic investment. This was known as the 1924 Dawes Plan. •By 1925-29, agriculture was still low, prices were low as many products were bought from the US and Canada •By 1929 (Wall Street Crash) the US had to call back its loans, this lead to a complete crash in the economy and democracy, this lead to the rise of the Nazis to power

Munich Beer Hell Putsch 1923

•In November 1923, Hitler became known nationally. Mussolini had just taken control of Italy by creating a 'March on Rome', Hitler wanted to do much the same, he tried to take control over the Bavarian government, to lead to a march through Berlin •8th of November 1923: Nazis interrupted a political meeting in a Munich Beer Cellar. Three right wing Bavarian leaders: Gustav con Kahr, Otto von Lossow ,and Hans Ritter von Seisser, were persuaded to agree to a march in Berlin and to establish a new government. Kahr afterwards, contacted the police and the army •9th of November 1923: Hitler and General Erich Ludendorff led a column of around 2000 armed Nazis through Munich. Lunderdorff was arrested, Hitler escaped, but was found on the 11th •The Munich Putsch (Beer Hall Putsch) failed but it provided a propagandist success. When Hitler was trailed, he said he was acting on patriotic concerns for his country, he was convicted for high treason, but only condemned to 5 years, thanks to a sympatethic right wing judiciary •Hitler only served 9 months in Landsberg Fortress (according to Historian Ian Kershwa he describes it as 'more akin to a hotel' •He spent that time writing Mein Kampf (My struggle)

How did the Nazi movement develop between 1919 and 1929?

•The National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party) was one of many right wing parties, it was formed by Anton Dexter in 1919 •Hitler worked as a spy for the government but by the first of April 1920, Hitler had taken control over the Nazi party, and made up a 25 point program based on nationalist, socialist, racialist, anti-semitic, and anti-democratic ideas. •By 1921 he was the parties Chairman •The Nazis refused to recognised the Weirmar Republic, and hence did not enter government until 1924, but already by 1921 they already had their newspaper, 'People's Observer' by 1923 the party had 55,000 members. This still remained a tiny party •The members were mostly ex-soldiers and members of the Friekorps, who supported the nationalist ideas, and took the opporutinity to gain jobs. •It also attracted conservative low middle class workets, lower ranking Bavarian civil servants and students fired with desire for political change