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The Nazi police state, propaganda and opposition
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Once in power, the Nazis used terror and propaganda to control Germany. Some Germans still resisted, but most conformed.
The police state
The SS, led by Himmler, ran the police and security system.
The Gestapo (secret police) arrested people without trial, helped by informers.
Concentration camps such as Dachau (1933) held political opponents and others.
The legal system was controlled: judges had to follow Nazi ideas, and the People's Court (1934) tried treason cases.
The Gestapo (secret police) arrested people without trial, helped by informers.
Concentration camps such as Dachau (1933) held political opponents and others.
The legal system was controlled: judges had to follow Nazi ideas, and the People's Court (1934) tried treason cases.
Controlling attitudes
Goebbels ran the Ministry of Propaganda (1933).
Censorship: books burned (May 1933); newspapers controlled.
Media: cheap radios spread Hitler's speeches; films and huge Nuremberg rallies showed Nazi power.
Sport: the 1936 Berlin Olympics showed off Germany.
Culture: 'degenerate' modern art was banned; architecture was grand and classical.
Churches: the Concordat (1933) with the Pope; the Protestant Reich Church under a Nazi bishop.
Censorship: books burned (May 1933); newspapers controlled.
Media: cheap radios spread Hitler's speeches; films and huge Nuremberg rallies showed Nazi power.
Sport: the 1936 Berlin Olympics showed off Germany.
Culture: 'degenerate' modern art was banned; architecture was grand and classical.
Churches: the Concordat (1933) with the Pope; the Protestant Reich Church under a Nazi bishop.
Opposition, resistance and conformity
Most Germans conformed: some supported the regime for jobs and order; others were afraid.
Churches: Pastor Niemöller helped form the Confessing Church; he was arrested in 1937 and held in camps until 1945.
Young people: the Swing Youth listened to banned jazz; the Edelweiss Pirates avoided the Hitler Youth and fought its members.
Churches: Pastor Niemöller helped form the Confessing Church; he was arrested in 1937 and held in camps until 1945.
Young people: the Swing Youth listened to banned jazz; the Edelweiss Pirates avoided the Hitler Youth and fought its members.
Why did most Germans conform rather than resist the Nazis?
- Many were grateful for jobs and stability after the Depression.
- Propaganda persuaded many that Hitler was making Germany great.
- Fear of the Gestapo and the camps put others off.
Answer: A mix of genuine support, propaganda and fear.
Terror: SS (Himmler), Gestapo, concentration camps, Nazi-controlled courts. Persuasion: Goebbels, censorship, radio, rallies, the 1936 Olympics, control of culture, the Concordat and Reich Church. Opposition: Niemöller and the Confessing Church, Swing Youth, Edelweiss Pirates; most conformed.
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