Their use of terror was the main reason that the Nazis retained control in Germany after 1933. How far do you agree?

Gleichschaltung was another reason why Hitler retained control in Germany as the policy eliminated any threatening political opposition, meaning the Nazis were the only legal political party in Germany. With the national holiday on May 1st, the Nazis prepared to ban and eliminate any trade unions by confiscating union funds and arresting union leaders. Creating one large union called the DAF; the Nazis had control over all trade unions and ‘nazified’ all organisations and associations that existed in society. Although the policy banned all trade unions and created a central government meaning power was totally centralised, the policy created an atmosphere of fear as terror eliminated the role and influence of the churches, the army and big businesses which Gleichschaltung failed to have a strong impact on. Overall, the policy it did not go far enough to effectively have a strong impact on all major elements in the German infrastructure and although it helped and contributed to Hitler’s retained power, it shows that it was not the most important reason as terror and fear prevented any opposition due to the brutal methods Hitler ordered to abolish opposition.

Volsgemeinschaft was the vaguest element of Nazi ideology sprouted from the political ideology of National Socialism. It extended as a movement aimed to transform German society. The role of indoctrination is another contributing factor to how the Nazis retained their control as Volksgemeinschaft aimed to overcome the old German divisions of class, religion and politics and to bring about a new collective national identity by encouraging people to work together. As this ideology was enhanced by many ways including changing the education system by teaching and brainwashing people under Nazi ideology, principles and ethos and removing politically unreliable individuals such as Jewish teachers, it gave Hitler more strength which contributed to the reason why the Nazis retained control in Germany. By changing and adapting the curricula and syllabuses to fit in with the Nazi Aryan ideal, Hitler indoctrinated the entire nation into believing Nazi ideology so he would gain more support and power. Additionally, ‘Hitler Youth’ embraced a range of youth groups to enrol on organisations to develop and brainwash the younger generation under Nazi ideology and by 1939 membership became compulsory. This alone shows that Hitler tried to indoctrinate everyone in society, including the younger generation for the future Nazi Germany showing how this led to the Nazi’s retained control. On the other hand, the organisation suffered from it’s over rapid expansion and the leadership was inadequate. When the war started it became difficult to run the movement effectively and consequently the increasing Nazi emphasis on military discipline was resented by many adolescents. Overall, even though the role of indoctrination undoubtedly influenced people into supporting and believing in Nazi ideology, parents were pressured into enrolling their children in Hitler Youth, proving that their brutal regimes through terror and fear was the most important reason why the Nazis retained their control.

 Some historians argue that a further contributing factor to the Nazi’s retaining control in Germany was through some of the benefits that the Nazi regime showed. Some people benefited from the Nazi regime whilst others found it a time of brutality and control. Firstly, Hitler made German people feel proud and brought a sense of strength back to the country after the embarrassment and shame of the Treaty of Versailles. Additionally workers went on holidays for the first time by Hitler’s ‘Joy through Work’ programme, allowing people to go to places like Norway for a break. Hitler also reduced unemployment from 6 million in 1933 to just 300,000 by 1939, showing a great beneficial change from the previous Weimar Government weaknesses of massive unemployment. Many German people benefited under the Nazi regime, especially with the massive economic problems from the Wall Street Crash ending. In their place there was employment and financial stability and new reformed honour and pride. With these important factors benefiting from the Nazi regime, it shows that the party did have some successes which helped retain their control because people were beginning to see important changes such as a stable economy after many years of failure. However, although there was more optimism and self confidence, people felt that their lives were being totally controlled by the Nazis. People were attacked and murdered by the Nazis for being Jewish or for being homosexual and others, such as teachers, lost their jobs if they refused to teach children about Hitler and Nazi ideology. People had their rights including freedom of speech taken away from them and those who spoke against Hitler would be reported on by a network of spies and put into prison by the Gestapo. Overall although some people definitely benefitted from Nazi control, it is clear that people felt under total control of Hitler as they were yet again living in fear due to their freedom of speech being limited. Their brutal regimes and intimidation also explains the reduced unemployment as Jews were fired and replaced with Germans, women were fired and replaced with men and men also had to either join the army or public works schemes. Therefore, terror and fear is the most important reason the Nazis retained control because

In conclusion, after assessing all the factors that contributed to their retained control, terror and fear were the most important reasons why the Nazi’s retained control in Germany.  Terror was undoubtedly the best political weapon as nothing drove society harder than the fear of sudden death or brutal methods to punish people who threatened Nazi ideology. This was enforced by the SS and the Gestapo, who created an atmosphere of fear, forcing people to support Hitler. Also, their use of clever propaganda techniques indoctrinated the nation into Nazi ideology, also spreading fear amongst any possible opposition. Therefore, terror was the most important reason why the Nazi’s retained control in Germany.