Hitler and Nazi Germany: Establishment/Consolidation of Power and Domestic Policies/Impact IB History: Authoritarian and Single-Party States

Establishment and Consolidation of Power Hitler used propaganda and changed the law in Germany to quickly establish and consolidate power, but his dictatorship wasn’t strong because he delegated power. Hitler did not entirely change or remove old German Government structures but changed them enough to ensure Nazi control at the local and national level. Hitler removed all the competition of the Nazi Party by legally banning trade unions, political parties, and by pacifying the Catholic Church. Hitler used propaganda to promote dictatorship by the Nazi Party, and also repressed or removed potential enemies through abduction and execution. Hitler quickly brought all parts of the German Government under his control with the exception of the military, which was too powerful. However, he eventually too control of the military as well. There appeared very little opposition to Nazi control of the German Government, BUT there were still small and quiet groups who disapproved of Hitler and the Nazi’s politically, ideologically, and religiously. Hitler’s power at the top of the Nazi Party and the German Government was not as authoritarian as most people think, his dictatorship was actually weaker because he delegated authority to many of his closest advisors.

Reichstag FireHitler and Military UnitsAnti-Union Hitler and Joseph GobbelsSS (Secret Police) OfficersHitler leaving Church

Domestic Policies and their Impact Nazi party had no real economic policy, their actions with regards to the economy were caused only by circumstances. Hjalmar Schact helped German economic recovery until 1933 but was dismissed because he disagreed with Hitler rebuilding the German military. From 1936, Hermann Goering led a “Four-Year Plan” to make Germany economically self-sufficient but he was not successful. Economically Germany was not ready for War in1939 (when the invaded Poland) and the economy was devastated in 1942 when there was a reorganization of the labour supply and raw materials to support the war effort. Germany’s economy collapsed in 1945 after allied forces heavily bombed the country, destroying factories and other businesses. Hitler’s social policies aimed at educating the youth in Nazi values, directly suppressing or persecuting women and all other minorities, and attempted to control the Catholic Church. Children were taught Nazi values through the public education system and the Hitler Youth. Nazi policy towards women encouraged them to take domestic roles (home maker), until they were needed to work in factories to support the war effort. Political, social, and racial minorities were persecuted for not conforming with Nazi values, and as the Nazi’s grew in power the policies toward them got very radical, such as trying to create a “Jew-free society.” Hitler and the Nazi’s attempted to control the Catholic Church and when unsuccessful they attempted to replace it with a Pagan religion which was also unsuccessful. Churches became the only area in society where speaking out against Hitler and the Nazi’s was safe.

Varied Nazi Economic PlansHitler Youth Anti-Feminism Propaganda Anti-Jewish Propaganda

Summary Hitler used propaganda and changed the law in Germany to quickly establish and consolidate power, but his dictatorship wasn’t strong because he delegated power. Nazi party had no real economic policy, their actions with regards to the economy were caused only by circumstances. Hitler’s social policies aimed at educating the youth in Nazi values, directly suppressing or persecuting women and all other minorities, and attempted to control the Catholic Church.