Living under nazi rule

• What type of state was Nazi Germany?


  Totalitarian state
• What are the four areas to understand how Germans experienced life under Nazi rule?


  1. The police state
  2. The economy
  3. Social policy
  4. Persecution
• What were the three weapons used by Hitler to control the German people?


  • The Schutzstaffel (SS)
  • Control of the legal system
  • Propaganda and censorship
• What was the role of the Schutzstaffel (SS) in Nazi Germany?


  To ensure the population remained under control and deal with potential threats
• What was the function of the Gestapo?


  To spy on ordinary Germans
• How did the Nazis control the legal system?

  Judges had to swear loyalty to the Führer and lawyers had to join the Nazi Lawyers’ Association
• Who ran the Ministry of Propaganda?


  Joseph Goebbels
• What was the impact of propaganda and censorship in Nazi Germany?


  It convinced the German people to embrace Nazi rule
• Why was there limited resistance to the Nazis?

  The police state was effective at crushing dissent
• What was the main economic strategy used by Hitler to achieve full employment?


  Rearmament and National Service
• How did the Nazis marginalize groups like the Jews in the economy?


  They lost their jobs and were not included in unemployment figures
• What was the purpose of the Strength Through Joy program?


  To provide cheap holidays in exchange for giving up trade union rights
• What did the Nazis aspire to achieve with autarky?


  Economic self-sufficiency
• What were the '3 Ks' that women were expected to embrace in Nazi Germany?

  Kinder, Küche, Kirche (Children, Kitchen, Church)
• How did the Nazis target young people in their social policies?


  By altering the school curriculum to promote Nazi ideology
• What was the significance of the Concordat signed by Hitler with the Pope?


  It promised to leave the Catholic Church alone if it stayed out of politics
• What was the Nazi ideology regarding the master race?


  The Aryan race was superior to all others
• What was one method of persecution used by the Nazis against disabled people?

  Sterilisation
• How many Jews were murdered during the Holocaust?


  6 million
• What were the consequences of World War Two for the German people after 1942?


  Rationing, bombing raids, and labour shortages
• What was the impact of the Allied bombing campaign on the civilian population of Germany?


  Hundreds of thousands were killed, injured, and displaced
• What event marked the attempt by army officers to assassinate Hitler?


  Opposition to the Nazis flared in 1944
• What was the effect of the Wall Street Crash on Germany?


  It led to a global economic depression
• What was the unemployment rate in Germany by January 1933?

  1. 1 million unemployed
• How did the rise in unemployment affect government expenditure?


  It significantly raised government expenditure on unemployment insurance and benefits
• What was the political failure that occurred in March 1930?


  Chancellor Hermann Müller resigned due to disagreements on tackling unemployment
• How did President Hindenburg undermine democracy in Germany?


  By using Article 48 to pass laws by decree
• What was the effect of the rise of extremism in Germany between 1930 and 1933?


  Support for extreme parties like the Nazis and communists soared
• How many seats did parties committed to the destruction of the Weimar Republic hold in the Reichstag by 1932?


  319 seats
• What was the appeal of the Nazis compared to the communists?


  Nazis had broader social and geographical appeal
• Who financed Hitler and the Nazis due to fear of communism?


  Wealthy businessmen
• What was the theme of the Führer cult in Nazi propaganda?


  Hitler was portrayed as Germany’s saviour
• What was the purpose of the SA in the Nazis’ rise to power?


  To intimidate political opponents and protect key Nazis
• What were the major events leading to Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in January 1933?


  • April 1932: Hitler came second in the presidential election.
  • May 1932: Brüning resigned; Von Papen appointed.
  • July 1932: Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag.
  • November 1932: Nazis lost seats but remained the largest party.
  • December 1932: Von Papen resigned; Von Schleicher appointed.
  • January 1933: Hitler appointed Chancellor.
• What was the significance of the Reichstag Fire in February 1933?


  It allowed Hitler to persuade Hindenburg to pass an emergency law restricting personal liberty
• What did the Enabling Act passed on 23 March 1933 allow Hitler to do?


  It gave Hitler the right to make laws without the Reichstag’s approval for four years
• What was the outcome of the political parties being banned on 14 July 1933?


  Germany became a one-party state
• What was the Night of the Long Knives on 30 June 1934?


  Hitler ordered the SS to murder SA leaders and other opponents
• What happened on 19 August 1934?


  Hitler declared himself Führer after Hindenburg's death
• What was the significance of Hitler declaring himself Führer?


  • Combined the roles of president, chancellor, and head of the army.
  • Required armed forces to swear allegiance to Hitler.
  • Marked the consolidation of Hitler's power.