preview

Hitler and the Nazi Party's Total Control Over the Lives of German People from 1933-1945

Good Essays

Hitler and the Nazi Party's Total Control Over the Lives of German People from 1933-1945

"In Germany, they came first for the Communists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Communist. Then they came for the Jews, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a Jew. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I didn't speak up because I wasn't a trade unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, and I didn't speak up because I was a Protestant. Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."

~ Martin Niemoeller

Introduction

During 1933-43, the Nazi party lead by Adolph Hitler has arguably total control over Germany. This was suggested by the few attempts of …show more content…

The Enabling Act permanently suspended all individual rights and legal limits, resulting in a totalitarian dictatorship. The balance of the three arms of power; executive, legislative and judicial – were not balanced. Hitler had the power to make law, and he enforced it. If there was no law, Hitler would make it law. There was no check and balance. It was a totalitarian state; controlled by Hitler and the Nazis. Union leaders2, critical thinkers, intellectuals and the Jews were some of those to be hit the hardest… with thousands3 sent to detention camps. After the “Night of Long Knives”4, Hitler fashioned a new enforcement arm: the S.S - the Gestapo5. The Gestapo also assassinated those viewed as disloyal to Hitler. With no legal rights, the people of Germany in effect were under the complete control of Hitler.

The Propaganda Agenda

The term Propaganda is associated with “attempting to influence the masses through means of information, ideas, communication: publications, education, arts, media and products of popular culture” – these were all to be controlled by the state6. Propaganda gained the Nazis and Hitler the support of the masses. Large rallies were held to spread the message of the Party.

Get Access
Get Access