Explain the extent to which Germany was transformed into a totalitarian state between 1933-1945.
Explain the extent to which Germany was transformed into a totalitarian state between 1933-1945
World War one had a massive effect on Germany. The monarch collapsed, which led to the establishment of a democratic system which also collapsed and the polycratic government of the Nazi party who Changed the effects of the treaty of Versailles, and the course of history sending it deep into another World War. This essay will talk about, Hitler's polycratic and totalitarian leadership as the Fuhrer, and his powerful control over a nation.
The definition of 'Totalitarian' will often contain the following characteristics.
- The state is led by a dominating and often ruthless individual presiding over a single political party or group, with no opposition groups allowed. Although subordinates may have particular control over certain areas, Totalitarian leaders know all and decide all.
- The people of the nation are subject to constant propaganda that hails the leader and are subject to terror that is governed by use of secret police. 1
This definition matches the Nazi government extremely well. It would be justified therefore to call Nazi Germany a totalitarian state, as the German people were subjects of propaganda and fear sparked by the secret police (Gestapo and SS). Most of the German people were loyal to their Fuhrer, however many lived in fear of speaking out against him (use of terror by secret police) and therefore feared the Fuhrer.
The Nazi Government came into power in January 1933, by July of that same year, Hitler had banned rival political parties. Therefore qualifying the Nazi party as a totalitarian regime.
Nazi Germany was run by a totalitarian leader. Hitler was both feared and admired by his countrymen. The fear was sparked but fear of his secret police. Hitler' principle (Furhrerprinzip), made Hitler the basis of the Nazi party. This means that Hitler was the highest of the party. He was the image as well as the swastika of the Nazi Government. Hitler was a dictator and controlled the following
- the Nazi party
- government
- police
- media (propaganda)
- The church
- Education
- Industry
- Labour 2
Hitler gave power to other, but he was the dominant figure in all alliances and could take the power away from anyone when and where he choose. This means although numerous ministers governed these they were all answerable to and governed by Hitler the leader. The Nazi party was run in a polycratic structure shown below.
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This show's that Hitler was in ultimate control however ...
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- the Nazi party
- government
- police
- media (propaganda)
- The church
- Education
- Industry
- Labour 2
Hitler gave power to other, but he was the dominant figure in all alliances and could take the power away from anyone when and where he choose. This means although numerous ministers governed these they were all answerable to and governed by Hitler the leader. The Nazi party was run in a polycratic structure shown below.
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This show's that Hitler was in ultimate control however gave power to govern specific areas by ministers.
Hitler was also a totalitarian as he was a ruthless and dominating leader. Evidence of his ruthlessness can be shown by the extermination of the Jews.
Hitler had control over his nation. His speeches mesmerised the listeners. However Hitler's control over the German people was not all by his speeches and ideas, the secret police and army played a huge role in his control. People feared the SS and Gestapo. Their job was the spark fear into the people. As shown in the cartoon above, the people were always looking behind there backs so they wouldn't be found disrespecting or being disloyal to Hitler or the Nazi ideology.
The Nazi Government changed Germany into a totalitarian state. There ruthless leadership, dominating leaders and control over all the people transformed Germany into a blood thirsty and ruthless country. The ideology of the master race (shown below) changed German attitudes to other cultures and races. The government's methods of control lay in
- Propaganda
- Force - Gestapo and SS
- Education for indoctrination and fitness 4
The Nazis' objective was based on 'the Nazi Project'. This projects main idea was that all Germans were part of a 'master race' (Aryans); this master race would be a strong, racially pure 'Volksgemeinschaft', which translates to 'peoples community'. To achieve this they made Germany a totalitarian state, which is a state that tries to control what people do and think by use of force and propaganda.
Hitler and Goebbels both knew that they had to make Hitler a cult figure to the German people. Goebbels was the Minister for Enlightenment and Propaganda. Goebbels made the German people believe Hitler was a God like figure by holding huge rallies where Hitler or Goebbels would show their power, by demonstrating the Army and showing their power with speeches, which captivated many. Books, newspapers, cinemas, posters and radios were also use the make Hitler seem like a God. With these techniques God-Like image of Hitler grew rapidly.
To understand Nazism we must identify what it is. Nazism refers to the totalitarian ideology and policies practiced by Adolf Hitler and his National Socialist German Worker's Party (NSDAP) from 1920-1945. Nazism promoted the superiority of the Aryan, its destiny as the Master Race to rule the world over all other races, and a hatred of Jews, which it blamed for all of the problems of Germany and considered a sub-human race. Nazism also provided for extreme nationalism, which called for the unification of all German-speaking peoples into a single empire.
Nazism made use of paramilitary organisations to maintain control within the party, and to eliminate opposition to the party. Violence and terror made for compliance to the rules of the Nazis. Among these organisations were the:
S.A. (Sturmabteilung): Stormtroopers, which were the Nazi paramilitary arm under Ernst Rôhm. It was active in the battle for the streets against other German political parties.
S.D. (Sicherheitsdiest): the Security Service under Reinhard Heydrich.
S.S. (Schutzstaffel): Defence Corps, was an elite guard unit formed out of the S.A. It was under the command of Heinrich Himmler.
Gestapo (Geheime Staatpolizeil): the Secret State Police, which was formed in 1933. 5
Nazism also placed an emphasis on sports and paramilitary activities for youth, the massive use of propaganda (controlled by Joseph Goebbels) to glorify the state, and the submission of all decisions to the supreme leader (Fuhrer) Adolf Hitler.
Totalitarianism is a form of government in which all of society resources are brought together by the state in an effort to penetrate and control all aspects of public and private life, through the Nazi's use of propaganda, terror, and technology. Totalitarian ideologies reject the existing society as corrupt, immoral, and beyond reform, project an alternative society in which these wrongs are to be redressed, and provide plans and programs for realising the alternative order. These ideologies were supported by propaganda campaigns, demand total conformity on the part of the people.
Totalitarian forms of organisation enforce this demand for conformity. Totalitarian societies are hierarchies dominated by one political party and usually by a single leader in this case being Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. The party penetrated the entire country through regional, provincial, local organisation. Youth, professional, cultural, and sports groups supplement the party's political control. A paramilitary secret police the Gestapo, ensured compliance to the rules. Information and promotion of the God like images were used through the control of television, radio, the press and the educate system.
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The Nazis changed Nazi Germany. This is explained in the following quote " the Nazis certainly tried to transform society. They set out to change the way people behaved and though. Their polices affected the most private spheres and denied many people basic freedoms such as the right to have children, the right to speak one's mind and even the right to live. However the degree to which the Nazis were successful is difficult to assess. Certainly life changed..." 7
In conclusion Germany was changed into a totalitarian state by the Nazi government during 1933-1945. This essay has talk about, Hitler's polycratic and totalitarian leadership as the Fuhrer, and his powerful control over a nation. It has used diagrams and quotes as evidence to discuss this topic. This essay has shown how Germany had changed from 1933-1945;it shows how the government went from a democratic structure to a polycratic and totalitarian structure of leadership.
Bibliography
Books.
.
Dennett and Dixon, Key Features of Modern History, 2000, Oxford university press, Melbourne Australia.
2.
Kitson, Alison. Germany 1858-1990, Hope, Terror and Revival, 2001, Oxford University Press, Melbourne Australia. Chapters 8 - 13.
3. Various handouts from class.
Websites:
. Http://www.remember.org/guide/Facts.root.nazi.html, The Holocaust--A Guide for Teachers, Gary Grobman
2. http://www.calvin.edu/academic/cas/gpa/ww2era.htm, Nazi Propaganda, Calvin.
Dennett and Dixon, key features of Modern History, 2000, Oxford university press, Melbourne Australia. Page 246.
2 Dennett and Dixon, Key Features of Modern History, 2000, Oxford university press, Melbourne Australia. Page 259
3 Dennett and Dixon, Key Features of Modern History, 2000, Oxford university press, Melbourne Australia. Page 263 figure 10.30
4 Dennett and Dixon, key features of Modern History, 2000, Oxford university press, Melbourne Australia. Page 246. Figure 10.11
5 (http://remember.org/guide/Facts.root.nazi.html)
6 Dennett and Dixon, key features of Modern History, 2000, Oxford university press, Melbourne Australia. Page 246. Figure 10.11
7 Kitson, Alison. Germany 1858-1990, Hope, Terror and Revival, 2001, Oxford University Press, Melbourne Australia. Page 213.
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