Hitler’s germany social impact 2 (persecution of minorities and undesirables)
Hitler’s Control of Germany. Question: How did Hitler establish control over Germany? THREE main...
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Transcript of Hitler’s Control of Germany. Question: How did Hitler establish control over Germany? THREE main...
Hitler’s Control of Germany
Hitler’s Control of Germany
Question:
How did Hitler establish control over Germany?
THREE main methods of control: The Carrot The Stick Propaganda
Carrot, Stick & Propaganda
The StickThe Carrot
PropagandaUse of rewards/ benefits to influence behaviour
Use of mass media and censorship to promote an ideological viewpoint and to influence people’s minds
Use of punishments to influence behaviour
Achievements and benefits of Nazi rule
people supported Nazi rule
Method 1: the Carrot
The economy:
Rearmament programme
Huge public works programme, e.g. road-building and housing
Created jobs and reduced unemployment
Big businesses:
Given large government contracts
No trade unions to cause trouble
Method 1: the Carrot
Middle class:
Threat of Communism was removed
People had pride in Germany after Hitler overturned the terms of the Treaty of Versailles
Industrial workers:
German Labour Front set up to improve workers’ lives
The ‘Strength Through Joy’ organisation provided leisure opportunities (e.g. sports and holidays)
Method 2: the Stick Use of terror and persecution
Fear made people conform to Nazi rule
Police and courts:
Emergency powers used to suspend all rights and to detain anti-Nazi suspects without trial
Controlled judges and lawyers in the courts
Opponents unable to get a fair trial
The SS (headed by Heinrich Himmler):
Hitler’s personal elite bodyguard unit
Used its own courts to deal with opponents of the Nazis
The Gestapo (headed by Reinhard Heydrich):
Secret police of the Nazi regime
Role was to get rid of those who opposed Hitler
Germans feared that the Gestapo agents were everywhere, so they reported on each other
Terror organisations gave the Nazis power over the people
Method 2: the Stick
It is clear that the majority of the people have two faces; one which they show to close friends and family; and the other for the authorities. The private face criticises everything; the official one beams with optimism and contentment.
From a report written by an agent of the Socialist Party living in Germany, August 1937.
Persecuting minorities:
Use of violence against other groups in society which the Nazis did not like
E.g. Jews, homosexuals, gypsies, prostitutes, alcoholics, the disabled were sent to concentration camps
Method 2: the Stick
Control of mass media and use of censorship to aggressively promote Nazi ideology
To influence people’s minds so that they would support and obey Nazi rule
Dr. Paul Joseph
Goebbels, Propaganda Minister
Method 3: Propaganda
Method 3: Propaganda
The Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda(headed by Joseph Goebbels)
Radio
Press Film
Art and culture
PostersPropaganda events
Method 3: Propaganda
Radio:
Controlled radio stations
Cheap radio sets were made to get as many people as possible to listen to Nazi propaganda messages
Broadcast of Hitler’s speeches (Hitler was a brilliant public speaker)
Special wardens made sure people listened to the radio
The text translates: "All Germany hears the Führer on the People's Receiver“. The Nazis, eager to encourage radio listenership, developed an inexpensive radio receiver to enable as many people as possible to hear Nazi propaganda.
Method 3: Propaganda
Method 3: Propaganda
Press:
Banned many German newspapers
Controlled information supplied to the remaining newspapers
All articles had to support the Nazi government and portray Hitler in a positive light
Method 3: Propaganda
Propaganda events:
Staged huge and spectacular rallies, meetings and processions to create the image of a strong and united Nazi Party
E.g. The Nuremburg Rallies – smart Nazi uniforms, colourful flags, floodlights, military music, marches
Impressed people and convinced them to support the Nazis
Art and culture:
Anyone who worked in journalism, radio, film, literature, theatre, music or the arts had to belong to the Reich Chamber of Culture
Otherwise, they could not get a role in a play, publish a book, sell a painting, etc.
Members had to be approved by Goebbels so that there was no need for censorship
Method 3: Propaganda
Films:
Used to show Hitler and the Nazis in a positive light as often as possible
E.g. Triumph of the Will – depicting the return of Germany as a great power, with Hitler as a German Messiah (saviour) who will bring glory to the nation
E.g. The Eternal Jew – anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish) theme, to depict the Jews as the enemies of the Germans
Method 3: Propaganda
Triumph of the Will
Directed by Leni Riefenstahl About the 1934 Nuremberg
Rally Theme: return of Germany
as a great power, with Hitler as a German Messiah who will bring glory to the nation
Leni Riefenstahl
Method 3: Propaganda
Hitler descending in a plane from the skies above Nuremburg
Hitler, shot from a low angle to make him appear as a larger-than-life hero
Method 3: Propaganda
Marching SS men move through a sea of SA troopers as they parade down the steps towards Hitler’s podium
The Lord of the Rings movies have many scenes where the orc armies use the geometric formations seen in Triumph of the Will, as well as one where Saruman addresses his legions from a balcony much like Hitler.
Method 3: Propaganda
Hitler leads a delegation of high-ranking Nazis into the Congress Hall for the closing of the rally
The throne room scene from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, which features similar imagery and music
The Eternal Jew
Directed by Fritz Hippler Theme: anti-Semiticism Purpose: to generate
hatred for the Jewish population, associated with corrupt personality and decadent lifestyle, a stark contrast to Nazi ideals
Method 3: Propaganda
Method 3: Propaganda
Posters:
Cheap to produce and distributed everywhere
Acted as a constant reminder of Nazi ideology
Also glorified Hitler
This poster is from the 1936 referendum.
The caption: “German construction expenditures rose from 10.9 billion marks in 1932 to 14.5 billion marks in 1935. That is what Adolf Hitler has done for German craftsmen. All classes vote on 29 March for freedom, peace and construction.”
This poster makes a direct comparison between Hitler and Jesus Christ.
Just as a dove descended on Christ when he was baptised by John the Baptist, so what looks to be an eagle hovering against the light of heaven over an idealised Hitler. The text: “Long live Germany!”
Method 3: Propaganda
Nazi propaganda depicting Jews (Stars of David), Capitalism (Dollar Signs) and Communism (Hammer and Sickles) all as part of the disease under inspection.
Method 3: Propaganda