Nazis accused a
dutchman of being part of
a communist conspiracy
and got him arrested as
well as other communist
party members
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
Hitler saw this as an opportunity
to deal with strongest rivals
Enabling Act, March 1933
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.
One Party Rule, July 1933
Nazi party was the only legal
political party in Germany and
Hitler was in charge of a one
party country.
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
Night of the Long Knives, June 1934
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.
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
Creation of the Fuehrer Position, Aug 1934
After Hindenburg's death, Hitler merged the
powers if the president and those of the
Chancellor and proclaimed himself Fuehrer.
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
Propaganda
Used propaganda to
appeal to deep-seated
German desires for
national unity and order
Also stirred up racism(esp.
Anti-semitic and anti-communist)
Films were closely controlled and had to
carry pro-Nazi message. Posters praising
the Nazis were put up all over Germany
Censorship
Nazis censored everything Germans could read, watch or listen to.
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
lack of freedom of
expression and ideas
among Germans
even more important than propaganda in controlling Germans.
Rise of the secret police
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.
Those not loyal were punished. Beatings were common, food
was scarce and prisoners were forced to work 11 hours a day
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.
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
Persecution of Jews
and minority groups
Jews
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.
Jews were completely excluded from society. Hitler further
humiliated Jews and had their passports terminated to prevent
them from fleeing Germany.
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
Gypsies,homosexuals,handicapped and disabled
Hitler viewed them as social parasites and were threats to Aryan
'purity'. Wanted to get rid of them to improve quality of aryan race.
They were also sent to
concentration camps where
they are eventually gassed in
large gas chambers
Women in Nazi Germany
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.
discourged from pursuing further studies and
banned women's associations. could join Nazi
party if viewed useful as nurses or cooks
Hitler Youth
German Youth would grow up to
fight faithfully for the Nazi regime.
Had to join youth organisation where they are
taught anti-Semitism and Nazi Ideology. Military
training was prioritised than academic study.
Economic impact
Re-employment
Germany's finances was reorganised so that new
jobs could be provided. Public works such
building of roads, motorways and public buildings.
Reich Labour service reduced unemployment while
providing infrastructure and facilities for the public
Rise of big industrialists
Industries that Germany needed was subsidised and their
imports were barred. Production of important products
such as oil, steel, coal and explosives increased.
big industrialists thrived and their production of important
products contributed to the boost in Germany's economy
Control of trade unions
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.
People had work and there were
fewer strikes
Organising worker's leisure time
praised workers and provided cheap theatre and
cinema tickets, organised courses and cultural and
sports events. This was to control worker's leisure time.
improved working conditions. There were washing
facilities and low-cost canteens in factories. However,
workers had to indirectly pay for them
Militarisation
reduced unemployment drastically. Many jobs were created for making
war materials.