1 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Economic Impact Economic Impact Social Impact Social Impact Political Impact Political Impact Did Hitler’s rule benefit the people in Germany?

2 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Political impact  Hitler consolidated power and established dictatorship from  4 key steps:  Reichstag Fire (Feb 1933)  Enabling Act (March 1933)  Night of Long Knives (June 1934)  Creation of role of Fuehrer (Aug 1934)

3 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Hitler called for fresh elections to gain control of Reichstag.  In Feb 1933, the Reichstag building caught fire; a communist was caught red-handed. Reichstag Fire (Feb 1933)

4 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Hitler convinced Hindenburg to grant him emergency powers to arrest Communists and other opponents.  Reichstag Fire decree – all civil rights suspended – no freedom of speech, assembly, or press  Result? Nazis won 44% of the votes in the election and gained more seats in Parliament. Reichstag Fire (Feb 1933)

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6  Using the SA, Hitler intimidated the Reichstag into passing the Enabling Act in March 1933  This act gave Hitler full dictatorial powers for four years.  He could make his own laws without consulting the Reichstag or the President Enabling Act (March 1933)

Source A: A member of the opposition recalling the day in the Reichstag when the Enabling Act was passed We could not agree with what Hitler was asking for and we expressed our disapproval but that did us no good. Hitler’s supporters surrounded us in a semi-circle along the walls of the Reichstag, hissed loudly and murmured, ‘Shut up! Traitors! You all will be hung today.’ 7 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007

8   May 1933: All trade unions were dissolved.   July 1933: All other political parties were banned.   Impact: established one-party dictatorship in Germany; democracy destroyed. Enabling Act (March 1933)

9 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  By 1934, the SA had grown into a four-million strong army under Ernst Rohm  wanted to turn SA into a second German Army  Alarmed the generals and Hitler  saw SA as a threat Night of the Long Knives (June 1934)

Source B: Extracted from a conversation in 1934 with Rohm ‘Hitler is a pig, he will betray us all. He only mixes with posh people now. His old friends are not good enough for him. He knows what I want, and it isn’t to turn the SA into a branch of the army. Are we revolutionaries or aren’t we? Why is he getting friendly with the generals? I can be the creator of a new army.’ 10 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007

11 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  In June 1934, Hitler arrested and executed Rohm and many SA leaders. The killings were known as Night of the Long Knives.  Impact: destroyed opposition within Nazi party; gained support of the military Night of the Long Knives (June 1934)

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14 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007   Aug 1934: President Hindenburg died   Hitler made himself President as well as Chancellor, creating a new role called the ‘Fuehrer’  supreme, unchallenged powers   Armed forces had to swear an oath of loyalty to him.   Impact: made him absolute ruler of Germany Created the role of Fuehrer (Aug 1934)

15 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 The Fuehrer Oath I swear by almighty God this sacred oath: I will render unconditional obedience to the Fuehrer of the German Reich and people, Adolf Hitler, Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht. Ba ck Ba ck

16 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 SEQ practice  Why did Hitler completely control Germany by late 1934? EYA. (2005 ‘O’ level)

Evaluation of political impact Positive effects Negative effects 17 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007

18 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Economy improved in general compared to Weimar rule  Nazis controlled vital aspects of economy Economic impact

19 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Hitler introduced several policies to create jobs: public works programmes such as building of roads, motorways (autobahns), hospitals etc. – provided jobs and infrastructure public works programmes such as building of roads, motorways (autobahns), hospitals etc. – provided jobs and infrastructure conscription and rearmament conscription and rearmament removal of Jews/ women from public sector removal of Jews/ women from public sector  Overall unemployment fell from six million in 1933 to below one million in Increased employment

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21 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007   Rearmament created new jobs - manufacturing arms, supplying raw materials and military equipment e.g. creation of modern air force   The introduction of conscription in 1935: every man aged between 18 and 25 had to spend two years in the armed forces – reduced unemployment. Militarization

22 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Based on this illustration, what was the strength of the German economy based on? Ba ck Ba ck

23 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  efforts were made to improve lives of workers  e.g. ‘Strength through Joy’ (Kdf) scheme provided cheap theatre trips, cruises and sporting activities for workers.  e.g. ‘Beauty of Labour’ scheme to improve working conditions – washing facilities and low-cost canteens  e.g. popular scheme to help workers buy a Volkswagen Beetle car for a small weekly payment Organizing workers’ leisure time

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Workers were tightly controlled  German Labour Front (DAF) set up to keep strict control of workers  e.g. not allowed to strike or bargain for higher wages  e.g. not allowed to change their jobs without government permission.  In 1935 a wage freeze was imposed.  By 1939, as the economy geared up for war, workers were working up to 72 hours a week. 26 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007

27 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Big businesses benefited from Nazi policies  Goering’s Four-Year Plan (1936): prepare for war by producing arms and ensuring that country was self- sufficient.  Big companies gained huge government contracts to produce weapons and war materials (steel, oil etc.)  No longer had to worry about troublesome trade unions and strikes Big businesses benefited

Evaluation of economic impact Positive effects Negative effects 28 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007

29 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Hitler imposed tight control over the people in order to achieve his goals.  German people had little freedom.  Some groups suffered discrimination and persecution. Social impact

30 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Joseph Goebbels controlled the Propaganda Ministry, which aimed to brainwash people into obeying Nazis and idolizing Hitler  Cult of personality – Hitler’s picture was everywhere and he was portrayed as Germany’s saviour Propaganda

31 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Radio stations were controlled to broadcast Hitler’s speeches and Nazi propaganda.  All films had to carry pro-Nazi message  praised the Nazis or showed the Jews as enemies  Nuremberg rallies: spectacular rallies that gave an impression of power and unity Propaganda

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1936 Olympics  Propaganda opportunity to showcase Germany as a modern and successful nation  Germany came top of medal table  Projected efficiency, power, strength and achievement 33 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007

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35 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  The Nazis controlled all forms of media and there was very strict censorship.  Newspapers could publish only what was approved by the Ministry of Propaganda.  Books written by Jews and other ‘undesirable’ people were removed from libraries and burnt in public. Censorship

36 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Only Nazi-approved artists could show their works – usually paintings or sculptures of heroic- looking Aryans or images of ideal Aryan family  Music was controlled. Jazz was banned as it had been invented by black people Censorship

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40 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Instruments of terror  Arrested and killed opponents of the Nazi Party  The SS (Elite Guard): responsible for destroying opposition to Nazism and carrying out racial policies of Nazis.  The Gestapo (secret police): ruthless organization that could arrest and send people to concentration camps without trial The SS and the Gestapo

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42 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  The Nazis appointed Blockleiter (block leader) to spy on the population and report any anti-Nazi activities to the local Gestapo office.  People were encouraged to report on their families and neighbors who did not show total support for Hitler and the Nazi Party. Informers

43 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Established in 1933; run by SS.  Opponents of the Nazis and undesirable members of the population, such as Jews, Communists and gypsies, were sent to the camps without trial.  Prisoners forced to do hard labour; given limited food; suffered beatings and random execution  Very few emerged alive Concentration camps

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45 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Schools encouraged loyalty and obedience to Nazism.  Textbooks were re-written to include Nazi political and racial ideas e.g. Treaty of Versailles was unfair Treaty of Versailles was unfair Superiority of the Germans as Aryan race Superiority of the Germans as Aryan race Jews were subhuman; depicted as ugly and greedy Jews were subhuman; depicted as ugly and greedy Education and youth

46 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Nazi youth organizations were set up for both sexes.  Hitler Youth: used physical and military training to indoctrinate boys to glorify war  League of German Maidens: taught girls to welcome their role as mothers Education and Youth

47 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Why children are important When an opponent declares, “I will not come over to your side,” I calmly say, “Your child belongs to us already… What are you ? You will pass on. Your descendants, however, now stand in the new camp. In a short time they will know nothing else but this new community.”

48 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 “Youth Serves the Führer” All 10-year-olds into the Hitler Youth." What I can see Hitler in the background Young HJ boy. Aryan in appearance, serious, looking ahead (in awe?) Military/ Smart Uniform Caption in Bold Key Questions Who is this poster aimed at? Why was this poster produced? What does this poster tell you about Nazi attitude towards youth?

49 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 “Adolf Hitler's youth attends community schools”

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51 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Nazi-controlled education system: The Nazis had total control over the subjects and textbooks. The main objective of education was to teach Nazi ideas and to instill in all young Germans a sense of loyalty to Nazism.

52 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Use of terror to control Germany: The Nazis used violence to make sure that they did not face challenges to their power. Many opponents of the Nazis were beaten up, sent to prison or killed.

53 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Nazis believed that women should only be concerned about ‘children, church, cooking’.  Their role was to produce racially pure and healthy German babies and to look after their families. Women were given limited responsibilities

54 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Many professional women were forced to give up their jobs and stay at home.  Women who bore many children received special awards and cash incentives. Women were given limited responsibilities

55 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Critical Thinking These statements were on a Nazi leaflet given to all young women. Do you agree with the statements? 1.Remember that you are a German! 2.If you are healthy, do not stay single! 3.Keep your body pure! 4.Keep your mind and spirit pure! 5.Marry only for love! 6.As a German, choose only a husband of the same blood! 7.In choosing a husband, ask about his forebears! 8.Health is essential to beauty! 9.Don’t look for a playmate but for a companion! 10.You should want to have as many children as possible!

56 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 The Cross of Honor for the German mother  bronze for four to five children  silver for six to seven children  gold for eight or more children.

57 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Persecution of Jews  Hitler and the Nazis believed that Germans belonged to the superior Aryan race while the Jews were the inferior race (Untermensch).  Inferior races should be the slaves of the superior race  When the Nazis came to power, they immediately began to take measures against the Jews.

58 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright All Jews were sacked from government jobs. The government called for the boycott of Jewish shops The Nuremberg Laws were passed. Jews were stripped of their German citizenship and banned from marrying Germans Jews were not allowed to attend state schools and universities. Jews were banned from owning businesses. Persecution of Jews

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61 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Night of Broken Glass  On 7 November 1938, following the killing of a German official by a Jew, the Nazis organized a night of violence against the Jews.  More than Jewish shops and over 400 synagogues were destroyed.  91 Jews were killed; 20,000 taken to concentration camps.

62 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Holocaust ‘Final Solution’ which killed more than 6 million Jews through death extermination camps in parts of Germany and Poland.‘Final Solution’ which killed more than 6 million Jews through death extermination camps in parts of Germany and Poland.

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64 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 ‘ALL THAT IS NEEDED FOR EVIL TO SUCCEED IS, THAT DECENT HUMAN BEINGS DO NOTHING’. (Edmund Burke)

66 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Other groups persecuted by Nazis  Nazis believed that people with disabilities were genetic degenerates.  The Nazis, therefore: Killed mentally disabled babies and mentally ill patients. Killed mentally disabled babies and mentally ill patients. Sterilized physically disabled people Sterilized physically disabled people

67 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  This genetically ill person will cost our people's community 60,000 marks over his lifetime. Citizens, that is your money.

68 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007  Hitler set up a state Reich Church, which preached Nazi values, and banned the Bible and the cross.  All church schools and youth groups were closed.  Priests and pastors who opposed the Nazi party were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Christian churches were controlled by Nazis Ba ck Ba ck

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70 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Letter writing  Imagine you were the leader of the League of Nations in  Write a formal letter to Hitler of Nazi Germany. Persuade him to reform the government policies that are bringing more harm than benefits to the German people. The length of your letter should be about 250 to 300 words.

71 Crisis and Conflict: Nazi Germany Copyright 2007 Summary Back to main summary Impact of Hitler’s regime Political Social Economic Democracy in Germany ended. Threats to Hitler within the Party were removed. Emergency laws were used. The SS and the Gestapo. Informers. Concentration camps. Pro-Nazi cultural activities, parades and rallies. Propaganda and censorship. Youths were brainwashed by the Nazis. Nazi-controlled education system. Women were given limited responsibilities. Jews were treated cruelly. Christian churches were controlled by the Nazis. Working conditions partly improved. New jobs were created. Big business benefited.