Did not wear uniforms and followed up reports and information about the general public making critical comments/ actions
Spied on people, tapped phones, used torture when questioning people
Only about 30,000 people out of 80 million
the ss
Controlled by Himmler
Range of roles e.g. Hitler’s bodyguard
Nazi Party policeforce – involved in rallies, running concentration camps.
the sd
Security service
Created by Himmler in 1931
Spied on known opponents
Kept records with the details
conc camps
Labour/prison camps
First opened in Dachau in March 1933
Usually in remote areas, away from public attention
Contained political prisoners, ‘undesirables’ such as homosexuals and minority groups
nazi control on judges
Trial by jury was abolished and trials were decided by single judges
These were all members of the Nazi Party
New People’s Court was created to hear cases of treason against the state
Trials held in secret
No right of appeal
nazi control on church
1933 – Protestant Pastors set up the Pastor’s Emergency League (PEL) to oppose the Reich Church
They set up the Confessing Church in 1934 - 6,000/8,000 pastors joined this
Individual pastors such as, Martin Niemoller openly criticised Hitler but 800 ended up in concentration camps
nazi control on church
Individual Catholic priests spoke out, especially Cardinal Galen
Galen was not punished but 2 priests who printed his sermons were arrested and sent to concentration camp
400 Catholic priests were imprisoned at Dachau
Confessing Church and Catholic Church had lots of popular support, but was not organised opposition
goebbels use of propoganda
Goebbels became Minister for Propaganda and Enlightenment in 1933
Sporting events incorporated the Nazi salute and the swastika – reinforcing the importance of physical fitness
Films had underlying messages, e.g. the hero was Aryan in appearance, and Jews were always shown as deceitful and greedy
The 1936Berlin Olympics - opportunity to display Aryan superiority. Germany won 33 medals. Stadium held 110,000 people (largest in the world.)
censorship
New books could not be published without approval from the Chamber of Culture and existing books were censored
Radio broadcasts could be censored, and all stations were under Goebbels’ control
Newspapers opposing the Nazis were closed down e.g. 1,600 in 1935
nazi control of art
Disapproved of modern art, preferred romanticised views of Germany’s past and a focus on families, country life, loyalty and self-sacrifice
Modern architecture such as Bauhaus style which had developed in Weimar Germany was disliked
Jazz music was banned because it had originated among black musicians, and the works of Mendelssohn were also banned because he was partly Jewish
The Reich Chamber of Culture was set up in 1933 with separate departments covering art, literature, music (all run by Goebbels).
opposition from youth
Number of young people did not want to join the Hitler Youth
Groups developed in working class areas of big cities e.g. Roving Dudes in Essen
Each group identified themselves by wearing the white edelweiss flower and were known as the Edelweiss Pirates
Edelweiss Pirates were mainly teenagers, especially young males who resented the military discipline of Hitler Youth, also wore hair long and copied American style
opps from youth
Activities similar to Hitler Youth – singing, hiking, camping but also told anti-Nazi jokes and painted graffiti
Swing Youth movement was middle-class youth who admired American and British culture
Met and played jazz, smoked and drunk alcohol
Youth opposition was limited, only about 2,000 Edelweiss Pirates
Tended to focus on resisting ideas than organising opposition