Impact of Hitler's rule on Germany

Political impact
1. consolidation of power
  1. Reichstag Fire, Feb 1933
    1. Nazis accused a dutchman of being part of a communist conspiracy and got him arrested as well as other communist party members
      1. Hitler convinced President Hindenburg to invoke article 48 and constitution and establish emergency powers as well as to sign the Reichstag fire decree
        The decree suspended civil liberties, Hitler made anything communist disappear.Those against Hitler were punished
    2. Hitler saw this as an opportunity to deal with strongest rivals
  2. Enabling Act, March 1933
    1. Hitler's authority is further strengthened. When this law was passed, it gave Hitler huge amount of power. It banned the communist and social democrat party to take part in future elections. Hence, Increased the Nazi's political authority.
  3. One Party Rule, July 1933
    1. Nazi party was the only legal political party in Germany and Hitler was in charge of a one party country.
      1. Hitler was a legal dictator and no one could do anything. Nazi officials then took charge. Trade unions were dissolved and their leaders are imprisoned. SA and SS soldiers dealt brutally with rule breaker and Hitler's opponents is either sent to concentration camps or fled Germany
  4. Night of the Long Knives, June 1934
    1. SA leader,Roehm, was being framed by those who felt threatened by him.They convinced Hitler that he was a threat. The SA soldiers were made to swear allegiance to Hitler if he removed Roehm.
      1. SS soldiers arrested and killed Roehm as well as Hitler's political opponents who angered him.
        SA become under the control of the SS. SS leader held a position of great power and was greatly feared
  5. Creation of the Fuehrer Position, Aug 1934
    1. After Hindenburg's death, Hitler merged the powers if the president and those of the Chancellor and proclaimed himself Fuehrer.
      1. Hitler now had to authority to invoke Article 48. He was now above the law. He got the German army to swear a personal oath of allegiance to him.
social impact
1. Propaganda
  1. Used propaganda to appeal to deep-seated German desires for national unity and order
    1. Also stirred up racism(esp. Anti-semitic and anti-communist)
  2. Films were closely controlled and had to carry pro-Nazi message. Posters praising the Nazis were put up all over Germany
2. Censorship
  1. Nazis censored everything Germans could read, watch or listen to.
    1. burnt unacceptable books, closely monitored newspaper editors, Nazi opinions were only heard on the radio, anyone caught listening to foreign stations was punishable by death
      1. lack of freedom of expression and ideas among Germans
  2. even more important than propaganda in controlling Germans.
3. Rise of the secret police
  1. The SS was Hitler's personal bodyguard and responsible for taking care of Nazi opponents and carrying out racial policies. Anti-Nazis were sent to concentration camps.
    1. Those not loyal were punished. Beatings were common, food was scarce and prisoners were forced to work 11 hours a day
  2. Gestapo was Nazi's secret police. They were greatly feared and tasked to find and remove threats to Nazi party. They had the power to detain a person without trial.
    1. could be taken away based on suspicion. unlimited powers to arrest. Used torture, murder, arrests and dirty tactics such blackmail to stifle opposition to hitler
4. Persecution of Jews and minority groups
  1. Jews
    1. Blamed Jews for Germany's ills. They were bullied and mistreated by the SA and SS. They were asked to wear the star of David as well as mark their shops with it. SA men stood outside their shop to prevent people from coming in. Jews were only allowed to sit on designated seats in parks and transports. Properties and businesses were taken away from them. No longer allowed to practice their profession.
    2. Jews were completely excluded from society. Hitler further humiliated Jews and had their passports terminated to prevent them from fleeing Germany.
    3. sent to concentration camps where they are gassed to death or cruel medical experiments are tested on them first. It is also where they work to death
  2. Gypsies,homosexuals,handicapped and disabled
    1. Hitler viewed them as social parasites and were threats to Aryan 'purity'. Wanted to get rid of them to improve quality of aryan race.
    2. They were also sent to concentration camps where they are eventually gassed in large gas chambers
5. Women in Nazi Germany
  1. Women were given rights to vote and equality in marriage and civics matters.However, they are confined to the roles of being a mother and excluded from politics and academics.
    1. discourged from pursuing further studies and banned women's associations. could join Nazi party if viewed useful as nurses or cooks
6. Hitler Youth
  1. German Youth would grow up to fight faithfully for the Nazi regime.
  2. Had to join youth organisation where they are taught anti-Semitism and Nazi Ideology. Military training was prioritised than academic study.
Economic impact
1. Re-employment
  1. Germany's finances was reorganised so that new jobs could be provided. Public works such building of roads, motorways and public buildings.
    1. Reich Labour service reduced unemployment while providing infrastructure and facilities for the public
2. Rise of big industrialists
  1. Industries that Germany needed was subsidised and their imports were barred. Production of important products such as oil, steel, coal and explosives increased.
    1. big industrialists thrived and their production of important products contributed to the boost in Germany's economy
3. Control of trade unions
  1. trade unions were abolished. Workers are strictly controlled. They weren't allowed to strike or bargain for pay raises or better conditions. They need the government's permission to change jobs or are not allowed to change jobs at all.
    1. People had work and there were fewer strikes
4. Organising worker's leisure time
  1. praised workers and provided cheap theatre and cinema tickets, organised courses and cultural and sports events. This was to control worker's leisure time.
    1. improved working conditions. There were washing facilities and low-cost canteens in factories. However, workers had to indirectly pay for them
5. Militarisation
  1. reduced unemployment drastically. Many jobs were created for making war materials.
    1. boost economy and provided employment.

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Impact of Hitler's rule on Germany

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	Created by Chloie Galdo over 10 years ago