Nazi Rule in Germany

METHODS on how Hitler and the Nazi Regime ruled Germany beginning in 1933
Gdoc folder: "Hitler's Germany Readings." Read the chapters noted in the 10 questions below and answer the questions.

1. Study document A in Chapter 3. Make a detailed list of the kinds of people who were likely to be arrested as "Enemies of the State" in Nazi Germany.
-Politicals: i.e. Communist members of the Reichstag,
-Those accused of having spoken abusively towards the Fuehrer
-"Work-Shy" : those who turned down job offers in the navy or motor roads, after asking for unemployment relief
-"Bibelforscher" : A religious sect banned by the Gestapo since its members refused military service
-Homosexuals
-Professional criminals

2. Provide detailed notes on the following sub-topics in Chapter 4 (Jews in Nazi Germany):

Hitler's anti-Semitic ideas
-Hitler believed that the Jewish people were to blame for Germany's defeat in WWI and that Jewish businessmen were plotting to take control of the world.
-He believed that the Jews were an inferior race and should not be allowed to mix with the superior Aryan Germans.

The dismissal of Jews from jobs, 1933
-The SA organized a boycott of Jewish shops while Jews were removed from important jobs in the civil service, the law, universities and schools, broadcasting and newspapers.
-In 1934, all Jewish shops were marked with a yellow star or the word "Juden." Jews had to sit on separate seats in parks and on buses and trains. Anti-semitic ideas were taught in the schools.

The Nuremberg Laws, 1935
-Took away Jew's German citizenship
-Prohibited marriages between Jews and non-Jews

The "Night of Broken Glass",
-November 10, 1938
-Nearly 10,000 Jewish shop keepers had their shop windows smashed and the contents stolen. Jewish homes and synagogues were set on fire. Dozens of Jews were killed and thousands arrested.

1938 Violence against Jews
-Jews were ordered to pay a 1 billion mark fine.
- Jewish men and women were forced to scrub the streets.
-Himmler ordered a massive expansion of the concentration camps at Buchenwalk, Dachau, Sachsenhausen and Lichtenburg.

3. Why do you think Hitler and the Nazis put so much effort into organizing the lives of young people? (Chapter 5)
Hitler wanted to "educate" (more like indoctrinate) the youth about Nazism. Children are very easily impressionable so they believe what they are told. Also, Hitler wanted to get the weak out early and train the boys to be strong. They went through intensive training. Those who didn't die from the training went on to be "leaders of the future." Those with the best performance evaluations went to the Adolf Hitler Schools and the Order Castles.

4. Study the photographs carefully in Chapter 5. Then, using the information and evidence you have read about young people, write a diary of one day in a Hitler Youth camp.
Last night we went out in the middle of the night (in the winter) to do war "games" with live ammunition. It was terrifying because some of the people around me weren't very good with their weapons and I felt as if I could die at any moment if a bullet flew my way. On top of the danger of the weapons, the sub-zero temperatures gave us frostbite. I was so numb I couldn't feel my hands or feet. After having only a few short hours to sleep, we were awakened early this morning to bathe. We went to the stream and the water was the coldest I have ever felt. My frostbite from the night before hadn't even begun to improve, so this was just way too much. I fear I will have to have my feet amputated! Although I would like to make it through this program, I don't see how it is possible.

5. What effect did "the three Ks" have upon women? (Chapter 6)
Women should stick to the three Ks Kinder, Kirche und Kuche: Children, Church and Cooking. Women were forced to stay at home. Many women doctors, civil servants, lawyers and teachers were removed from their jobs. By 1939 there were few women left in professional jobs. Women were encouraged not to wear make-up and trousers. Dieting was discourages because that wasn't good for childbearing. The only thing that women were actively encouraged to do was to have children. Awards were given to those with the most children. The government set up homes for unmarried mothers.

6. Study the photograph in Chapter 6 (2nd page) and read the rules of the National Reich Church. Explain in your own words the kind of religion which the Nazis wanted Germans to follow.
Nazis wanted the Germans to follow the religion of the National Reich Church, which was ruled by the Nazis. Only certain people called "Orators of the Reich" were allowed to speak. All other religions were banned. The altars were only allowed to have Mein Kampf. There was no separation of church and state, and no religious freedom.

7. How did Hitler address the massive unemployment situation in Germany when he came to power? (Chapter 7)
Hitler set up a National Labour Service (RAD). This gave men jobs in public work areas, for example building the autobahns. Men in the RAD wore military uniform and lived in camps, and they were only payed very little. But this was better than no work at all, and they got free meals. Also, rearmament played an important role in decreasing unemployment. Hitler planned to make Germany a strong and independent country by building up the size and strength of the army. This meant that many people joined the military, and therefore weren't unemployed. Some people found work in the new industries that were found in making Germany self-sufficient. Also, the Jews who were removed from their jobs were not counted in the unemployment surveys, so the numbers are not taking them into account.

8. What is the significance of the German Labor Front? (Chapter 7)
The government had control over all of the workers in Germany. Strikes were made illegal and the limitations on the number of hours people could be made to work were lifted, among other things that took workers' rights away. Not many workers complained because they were being payed well.

9. In your own words, discuss the significance of the Strength through Joy program. (Chapter 8)
Hitler and the Nazi party wanted to control every part of people's lives, including their free time. The Strength through Joy program (KDF) organized activities for the people. Events were made accessible to everyone because they were cheap. The Nazis had control on every single aspect of German's life. Also, with the KDF providing affordable vacations, cars and other things that the people enjoyed, they would support the Nazis.

10. Describe Dr. Joseph Goebbels propaganda and censorship tactics. What effect did they have upon the German citizen? (Chapter 9).
Newspapers, the radio, and mass rallies were major forms of propaganda. Goebbels controlled all of the content of the newspapers. Radios were affordable, there were loudspeakers in town and everyone was required to listen to Hitler's speeches.
Rallies showed Germans that they wanted to be part of such a grand community. Goebbels used censorship to make sure opposing ideas were not spread. German student were encouraged to burn books that were written by Jews or communists. Germans were not allowed to speak negatively about Hitler even privately.