Nazi Ideology

What was the Nazi ideology? Where did it originate from?

Ancestry Various locations - combined trends

Realpolitik (Bismarck) Nationalism (Johann Fichte) Godless humanism (Friedrich Nietzsche) Racial theories (Houston Stewart Chamberlain & Comte

de Gobineau = extremes of Darwinism; Aryan triumph over lesser races)

Italian fascism; Stalin’s control methodology Post WW2 view: roots of German authoritarianism

and nationalism German historians e.g. Ritter (1955) -

unprecedented social & economic pressures of 1920s & 1930s

Bracher (1978) - combination of two

Mein Kampf Cohesion: Nazi programme 1920 (before Hitler) Mein Kampf (My Struggle): written during

imprisonment after 1923 coup; published 1925 No precise manifesto for govt. But showed

principles. Central: basis of state not class or economy but

race: need to eliminate alien elements who would weaken / corrupt ethnic community (Volksgemeinschaft) = Jews - international conspiracy

Also: Lebensraum (Living space) - at expense of other races e.g. Russia

The FührerprinzipDoctrine of political authority Unquestioning obedience to chiefPersonal authorityAppealed to those who thought democracy

had failed

Socialist Element But: views not unanimous Socialist element crucial to some e.g. former

soldiers in S.A. Gregor and Otto Strasser: led left wing faction But: Hitler couldn’t restore strong government

without support of capitalist forces – didn’t want to alienate them

Negative cohesion through hate

Key: anti-semitism. Origins?

Task: Hitler's early ideological beliefs Read the source materialHighlight and note in the margin evidence

of doctrines we have mentionedAre there any not yet covered?

Taking control Gleichschaltung – ‘co-ordination’ Destruction of all groups that could limit his

power E.g. Law against Formation of New Parties (July

1933) January 1934 Provincial Assemblies abolished

(Lander) – Nazi governors (Reichstatthalter) in their place

Trades Unions disbanded Infiltration of Nazis

Institutions that compromised Too powerful to be coerced Industry support for Nazis e.g. steel magnate Fritz Thyssen Catholic Church – Concordat (July 1933) Nazis would not interfere in Church education –

church not in politics German army (Reichswehr) – common interests Commander in chief and War Minister forced

out

What was the Nature of Hitler’s Rule?

Adolf Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. Guided by racist and authoritarian ideas, the Nazis abolished basic freedoms and sought to create a "Volk" community. In theory, a "Volk" community united all social classes and regions of Germany behind Hitler. In reality, the Third Reich quickly became a police state, where individuals were subject to arbitrary arrest and imprisonment.

In the first months of his chancellorship, Hitler began a concerted policy of "synchronization," forcing organizations, political parties, and state governments into line with Nazi goals and placing them under Nazi leadership. Culture, the economy, education, and law came under greater Nazi control. Trade unions were abolished and workers, employees, and employers were forced into Nazi organizations. By mid-July 1933, the Nazi party was the only political party permitted in Germany. The Reichstag (German parliament) became a rubber stamp for Hitler's dictatorship. The Fuehrer's will became the foundation for government policy.

The appointment of Nazi party members to government positions increased Hitler's authority over state officials. According to the Nazi party's leadership principle, authority flowed down from above and absolute obedience towards one's superior was expected at each level of the Nazi hierarchy. Hitler was master of the Third Reich.

Nazi ruleMain features?How was authority imposed?What was the nature of the government?

Task Notes from Collins pages 313-4 under following

headings: Centralised authority, or a confusion of

administrations?Theoretical power structureReality of powerHistoriography

The roles of propaganda and terrorPropagandaGestapo

Conclusion

More on propagandaForms?