Hitler’s Control of Germany

Hitler’s Control of Germany

Question:

How did Hitler establish control over Germany?

THREE main methods of control: The Carrot The Stick Propaganda

Carrot, Stick & Propaganda

The StickThe Carrot

PropagandaUse of rewards/ benefits to influence behaviour

Use of mass media and censorship to promote an ideological viewpoint and to influence people’s minds

Use of punishments to influence behaviour

Achievements and benefits of Nazi rule

people supported Nazi rule

Method 1: the Carrot

The economy:

Rearmament programme

Huge public works programme, e.g. road-building and housing

Created jobs and reduced unemployment

Big businesses:

Given large government contracts

No trade unions to cause trouble

Method 1: the Carrot

Middle class:

Threat of Communism was removed

People had pride in Germany after Hitler overturned the terms of the Treaty of Versailles

Industrial workers:

German Labour Front set up to improve workers’ lives

The ‘Strength Through Joy’ organisation provided leisure opportunities (e.g. sports and holidays)

Method 2: the Stick Use of terror and persecution

Fear made people conform to Nazi rule

Police and courts:

Emergency powers used to suspend all rights and to detain anti-Nazi suspects without trial

Controlled judges and lawyers in the courts

Opponents unable to get a fair trial

The SS (headed by Heinrich Himmler):

Hitler’s personal elite bodyguard unit

Used its own courts to deal with opponents of the Nazis

The Gestapo (headed by Reinhard Heydrich):

Secret police of the Nazi regime

Role was to get rid of those who opposed Hitler

Germans feared that the Gestapo agents were everywhere, so they reported on each other

Terror organisations gave the Nazis power over the people

Method 2: the Stick

It is clear that the majority of the people have two faces; one which they show to close friends and family; and the other for the authorities. The private face criticises everything; the official one beams with optimism and contentment.

From a report written by an agent of the Socialist Party living in Germany, August 1937.

Persecuting minorities:

Use of violence against other groups in society which the Nazis did not like

E.g. Jews, homosexuals, gypsies, prostitutes, alcoholics, the disabled were sent to concentration camps

Method 2: the Stick

Control of mass media and use of censorship to aggressively promote Nazi ideology

To influence people’s minds so that they would support and obey Nazi rule

Dr. Paul Joseph

Goebbels, Propaganda Minister

Method 3: Propaganda

Method 3: Propaganda

The Reich Ministry for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda(headed by Joseph Goebbels)

Radio

Press Film

Art and culture

PostersPropaganda events

Method 3: Propaganda

Radio:

Controlled radio stations

Cheap radio sets were made to get as many people as possible to listen to Nazi propaganda messages

Broadcast of Hitler’s speeches (Hitler was a brilliant public speaker)

Special wardens made sure people listened to the radio

The text translates: "All Germany hears the Führer on the People's Receiver“. The Nazis, eager to encourage radio listenership, developed an inexpensive radio receiver to enable as many people as possible to hear Nazi propaganda.

Method 3: Propaganda

Method 3: Propaganda

Press:

Banned many German newspapers

Controlled information supplied to the remaining newspapers

All articles had to support the Nazi government and portray Hitler in a positive light

Method 3: Propaganda

Propaganda events:

Staged huge and spectacular rallies, meetings and processions to create the image of a strong and united Nazi Party

E.g. The Nuremburg Rallies – smart Nazi uniforms, colourful flags, floodlights, military music, marches

Impressed people and convinced them to support the Nazis

Art and culture:

Anyone who worked in journalism, radio, film, literature, theatre, music or the arts had to belong to the Reich Chamber of Culture

Otherwise, they could not get a role in a play, publish a book, sell a painting, etc.

Members had to be approved by Goebbels so that there was no need for censorship

Method 3: Propaganda

Films:

Used to show Hitler and the Nazis in a positive light as often as possible

E.g. Triumph of the Will – depicting the return of Germany as a great power, with Hitler as a German Messiah (saviour) who will bring glory to the nation

E.g. The Eternal Jew – anti-Semitic (anti-Jewish) theme, to depict the Jews as the enemies of the Germans

Method 3: Propaganda

Triumph of the Will

Directed by Leni Riefenstahl About the 1934 Nuremberg

Rally Theme: return of Germany

as a great power, with Hitler as a German Messiah who will bring glory to the nation

Leni Riefenstahl

Method 3: Propaganda

Hitler descending in a plane from the skies above Nuremburg

Hitler, shot from a low angle to make him appear as a larger-than-life hero

Method 3: Propaganda

Marching SS men move through a sea of SA troopers as they parade down the steps towards Hitler’s podium

The Lord of the Rings movies have many scenes where the orc armies use the geometric formations seen in Triumph of the Will, as well as one where Saruman addresses his legions from a balcony much like Hitler.

Method 3: Propaganda

Hitler leads a delegation of high-ranking Nazis into the Congress Hall for the closing of the rally

The throne room scene from Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope, which features similar imagery and music

The Eternal Jew

Directed by Fritz Hippler Theme: anti-Semiticism Purpose: to generate

hatred for the Jewish population, associated with corrupt personality and decadent lifestyle, a stark contrast to Nazi ideals

Method 3: Propaganda

Method 3: Propaganda

Posters:

Cheap to produce and distributed everywhere

Acted as a constant reminder of Nazi ideology

Also glorified Hitler

This poster is from the 1936 referendum.

The caption: “German construction expenditures rose from 10.9 billion marks in 1932 to 14.5 billion marks in 1935. That is what Adolf Hitler has done for German craftsmen. All classes vote on 29 March for freedom, peace and construction.”

This poster makes a direct comparison between Hitler and Jesus Christ.

Just as a dove descended on Christ when he was baptised by John the Baptist, so what looks to be an eagle hovering against the light of heaven over an idealised Hitler. The text: “Long live Germany!”

Method 3: Propaganda

Nazi propaganda depicting Jews (Stars of David), Capitalism (Dollar Signs) and Communism (Hammer and Sickles) all as part of the disease under inspection.

Method 3: Propaganda