Nazi Germany (1933 – 1945)

Nazi Germany

Control of the State Opposition Propaganda Policy towards the religion Policy towards the youth Policy towards the women

Control of the State

Nazis used different organizations and structures to control the people:

SS Gestapo Police and courts Concentration camps

The SS

The SS was a group of loyal to Hitler They were trained and equipped to impose the

Nazi aims by the force Once the Nazis took over the power, they were

in charge of controlling the society

There were different subdivisions among the SS:

Waffen SS: Army Death´s Head: Persecution of the Jews

Gestapo

Secret police They were in charge of arresting

citizens and send them to concentration camps

They had a network of informers (psychological effect in the population)

Concentration camps

Concentration camps were established in 1933

Those who opposed the Nazis were sent to concentration camps, but also gypsies, Jews or homosexuals.

The prisoners were forced to work if they want to eat

The control of the police

Nazis controlled the members of the police, judges and the courts

Generally, they simply give the high rank positions to a member of the party as a way to establish control

They were forced to swear loyalty to the Nazi principles

Nazi administration

Nazis had ways of control the society, although the organization was a little bit chaotic

The only way to pass a law was a signature of the Fuhrer

So, laws were dependent on Hitler´s wills and behavior

Hitler´s schedule

Wake up: 11 AM Breakfast and reading of newspapers: 11 – 12 AM Work: 12 – 2 PM Lunch: 2 – 4 PM Exercise: 4 – 4:30 P.M Take a nap: 4:30 – 5 PM Work: 5 – 9 PM Dinner: 9 – 10 PM Leisure time: 10 – 2 AM

The opposition to the Nazis

Germans were scared to show the opposition to the Nazis in public for obvious reasons

But, many Germans supported German policies. Why?

The population did not care about liberties, because: The economy was improving Nazis were fighting against Communism Germany recovered a prestigious position in the international relations

Poem

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out— Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me. Martin Niemoller

“Als die Nazis die Kommunisten holten,habe ich geschwiegen;ich war ja kein Kommunist.

Als sie die Sozialdemokraten einsperrten,habe ich geschwiegen;ich war ja kein Sozialdemokrat.

Als sie die Gewerkschafter holten,habe ich nicht protestiert;ich war ja kein Gewerkschafter.

Als sie die Juden holten,habe ich geschwiegen;ich war ja kein Jude.

Als sie mich holten,gab es keinen mehr, der protestierte.”

Questions

What is Niemoller saying? Can you think of a way that this statement applies to anything in the world

today or in other historical contexts? Why didn't the author "speak up" as he says for the Communists, Jews, trade

unionists and Catholics? If he had "spoken up", what would have happened? How can you apply this to your own personal life experiences in school, home,

the community and other areas?

The opposition to the Nazis

Traumatic experience during the Depression

People just want to keep the job they got, not get in trouble

Extensive use of propaganda to portray a positive image of Hitler and the Nazis

The use of propaganda in the Nazi regime Goebbels: Minister of

Propaganda He organized certain events to

create a feeling in favor of the Nazi regime:

Nuremberg Rallies Olympics Extensive control of the media

Nuremberg Rallies

Olympics (1936)

Olympics

The control of the media

Mein Kampf was a best-seller in Germany during the Nazi period

Organization of burning-book gatherings

Strict censorship in the newspapers, books, but also music (jazz was forbidden)

The control of the media

Goebbels loved new technologies:

Use of posters to show Nazi ideas

Cheap radios available for listening just German channels (listen the BBC was punished with death penalty) and speakers in the streets

* Describe what you can see

* Who do you think each poster is aimed at?

* What is the message behind the poster? Why was it produced?

What can you learn from these sources about Nazi methods

of propaganda?

Look at the poster carefully.What is the purpose?

The Nazi flag to appeal to peoples patriotism and sense of loyalty.

This youth is obviously happy to join the organisation. She is

enjoying herself.

Military uniform. A sense of belonging to an important

organisation. Pride.

What I can seeKey

Question:

What does this poster

tell us about:

*Nazi beliefs

regarding the family and family

life

* Nazi attitudes regarding the role of women?

The Eagle (The State) protecting the family

The father above the

family

The mother caring for the baby – scarf on her head representing

domestic work

Happy, healthy children

What I can see

Key Question:

What does this film

poster tell us about Nazi attitudes

towards the Jews?

What is the purpose of this poster?

Physical featuresMap of German

yHandful

of money

A knotted

whip

Title in Bold

Communist

Symbol