Nazi Germany

1
Nazi Germany

• 1933 - 1945

2
The use of Terror

• The SS
• an elite group of committed Nazis, used to
  eliminate the SA in June 1934
• charged with internal security
• guarded concentration camps
• hunted political enemies
• commanded by Heinrich Himmler

3
The use of Terror

• The Gestapo
• The secret state police. Used to suppress
  hostility to the regime at home and in occupied
  territories.
• Commanded by Himmler

4
The use of Terror

• Concentration Camps
• run by the SS to detain enemies of the state
• Dachau 1933
• Prisoners Jews, political, priests, anti-socials
• By 1939 six camps were operating.
• Extermination Camps Auschwitz-Birkenau

5
Role of Propaganda

• The Press
• all non Nazi newspapers and magazines were taken
  over or closed
• all content was strictly controlled

Radio All stations under state control. Cheap
mass produced radios sold. Sets installed in
cafes and factories. All Hitlers speeches
broadcast.
6
Role of Propaganda

• Films Over 100 000 made all approved by
  Goebbels. All films given a pro Nazi stance

Ministry for Public Propaganda and Enlightenment
7
Role of Propaganda
Joseph Goebbels

• Rallies and Campaigns
• Annual rally at Nuremburg
• 1936 Olympic Games, used as propaganda
• Local rallies and fund raising led by the Hitler
  Youth and local party organisations
• Posters used to promote Nazi ideals

8
Role of Propaganda

• Books and Art
• writers, and composers persuaded or forced to
  produce works in praise of Hitler
• Books written by Jews, Communists etc were banned
  and many destroyed in public book burning in 1933
• Jazz music banned because of its black origins

9
Religion
Protestant Churches 1933 attempt by Hitler to
gain control and establish a Reich Church. Reich
Church was anti-Christian and promoted Nazism.
Confessional Church founded in defiance of Nazis
Nazi Part Attitudes Claimed to approve of
Christianity and offer religious freedom. In fact
attacked Churches and religious sects
Catholic Church Concordat 1933 in theory
allowed Catholic Church to operate freely in
return for an oath of loyalty. 1937 after a
steady erosion of its influence Pope condemns
Nazis. Never take a stand on Jewish persecutions
10
Persecution of the Jews

• Hitler blamed the Jews for
• Treaty of Versailles
• Inflation 1923
• Economic collapse 1929 -32

11
Persecution of the Jews

• 1933 - Unsuccessful boycott of Jewish shops
• Jews excluded from Government jobs
• Thousands of professional Jewish people were
  dismissed from jobs
• 1934 - Jews banned from public places, parks,
  swimming pools etc.

12
Persecution of the Jews

• 1935 - The Nuremburg Laws 15 September
• 1 - The Reich Law on citizenship - only those of
  German blood can be citizens, and have the right
  to vote.
• 2- Law for the protection of German Blood and
  Honour - forbids marriage or sexual relations
  between Jews and German citizens

13
Persecution of the Jews

• 1936 - 37
• The professional activity of Jews is banned or
  restricted - includes vets, doctors, dentists,
  accountants, teachers and nurses
• 1938 Qualifications of Jewish doctors is cancelled

14
Persecution of the Jews

• 1938 - Riechkristalnacht 9th November
• Following the murder of a German diplomat in
  Paris by a Jew a campaign is started which last 3
  days and targets Jewish shops, homes and
  synagogues. 90 killed 20 000 arrested and sent to
  concentration camps
• Jewish children excluded form schools and
  Universities

15
Persecution of the Jews

• 1939 - Jews no longer allowed to run businesses
  and shops
• forbidden to own radios and to buy cakes and
  chocolate
• 1940 - 42 Jews deported from Germany Jews in
  occupied territories moved into ghettos and used
  as slave labour. Special SS groups formed to deal
  with the Jews. Gassing in vans starts

16
Persecution of the Jews

• The Wannsee Conference Jan 1942
• Decision taken by Nazi leaders led by Heydrich
  meet to discuss the final solution
• Decision to evacuate all Jews to extermination
  camps in Poland is taken
• Over 4.5 million Jews killed in death camps

17
Persecution of minorities

• Homosexuals, Gypsies and other undesirables sent
  to concentration camps
• Mentally ill sent to concentration camps
• The Euthanasia programme
• people judged worthless to the regime were
  killed.
• 5,000 children 71, 000 adults
• Stopped in 1941 after protest from Pope
• Forced Sterilisation programme to prevent
  contamination of the Aryan race