Life in Nazi Germany What was life like in Nazi Germany?
Hitler Consolidates Power President Hindenberg dies in 1934 – Hitler names himself President Hitler takes the title Fuhrer (Supreme Leader) Hitler bans all other political parties – has his opponent arrested Hitler forms the SS an elite black-uniformed unit that eliminated Hitler’s enemies. The SS was led by Heinrich Himmler A branch of the SS was a secret police force known as the Gestapo Gestapo terrorized & shocked people into obedience
1933: Hitler appoints Joseph Goebbels as Minister of Propaganda Ministry of Propaganda Children joined the Hitler Youth or League of German Girls Propaganda is used against the Jews & other perceived enemies of the Reich Goebbels orders the burning of books written by Jews or anti-Nazi authors
Nazi Propaganda #1 1.Describe cover of the book and the Jewish person in the book. 2.What is the author of this book trying to teach German children? A German children’s book titled: The Poisonous Mushroom
Nazi Propaganda #2 Translation: The Jewish worm makes his move 1.Describe the worm, what are in his eyes? 2.What is the poster trying to say?
The Nuremberg Laws 1935: two sets of laws were passed in Germany defining race & citizenship 1) Protection of German Blood & Honor – 1935 Racial categories established: German, Mischling (grade 1 & 2) and Jews
2) Reich Citizenship Law Article 1 – German citizens have obligations to the Reich The laws would forbid the marriage of Jews to non-Jews They also forbid the marriage of Mischlings Jews also couldn’t display the Reich or National Flag Article 2 – Only citizens of the Reich have complete rights
Kristallnacht “Night of Broken Glass” 1938: a 17-year old Jewish man avenges his father’s deportation to Poland by shooting a German diplomat Nazi leaders respond by launching an attack against all Jews Goebbels authorizes the attacks, Himmler & SS carry out the attacks The SS attack Jewish homes, businesses, and synagogues Homes are burned and thousands of Jews are arrested Nazis want to eliminate Jews from Germany Nazis begin to experiment with poison gas, first on disabled citizens and eventually on Jews
Nazi Racial Purity – Film Clips: Amen directed by Costa-Gavras 1.Why do you think Stephan Lux kills himself at a League of Nations meeting? 2.What were the Nazis doing to people with disabilities in Germany? 3. What is the response of the Catholic Church to the Nazi plan to eliminate “unproductive” citizens of the Reich? 4. How does the reaction of Captain Gerstein differ from the rest of the SS officers? 5. What do you think a “unit” is? Why do Hess & the Nazis use that term unit? 6. What are conditions like on the trains?