Hitlers Nazi Germany Methods for Control Gleichschaltung Having

Hitler’s Nazi Germany Methods for Control

Gleichschaltung Having gained political power, the Nazis reasoned that the best way to hold on to it was by gaining power over every other aspect of German life. That way, no one could ever challenge the will of the Fuhrer again. And so the Nazis introduced a policy called Gleichschaltung, which simply meant the complete coordination of all activity by the National Socialist regime. Every element of German life was affected by Gleichschaltung. Every German was involved in it, with no exceptions, and no opposition. Gleichschaltung would become the basis of Nazi totalitarian rule.

Nazification of Germany • Nuremburg Rally of 1935 • 1933 -1936: Systematic elimination of non-Nazi organisations that could influence people eg. Trade Unions, Political Parties. • Those critical of Hitler’s agenda were suppressed, intimidated or murdered. • Religion was also reigned in: The Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs • Education system came under direct control of Hitler’s government. • Compulsory membership – Youth. Hitler Youth (age 14 – 18). Then entered the armed forces. • Girls – age 10 and 14. 18 – went to a year of farm labour • 1936 – 6 million members of Hitler Youth • Hobbies were even regimented – eg. Arts and crafts. • Workers – newsreels, propaganda was disseminated ‘The best propaganda works invisibly’ ‘Good propaganda has no need to lie’

Book Burning q Books and writings deemed "un. German" are burned at the Opernplatz. Berlin, Germany, May 10, 1933. q Book burning refers to the ritual destruction by fire of books or other written materials. Usually carried out in a public context, the burning of books represents an element of censorship and usually proceeds from a cultural, religious, or political opposition to the materials in question. q The burning of books under the Nazi regime on May 10, 1933, is perhaps the most famous book burning in history.

Book Burnings Germany 1933

Hitler as father figure • During their time in the Hitler Youth, children learned about Hitler as a sort of benevolent father figure who was always watching. Children were intended to consider Hitler as more important than their own father or family.

The Gestapo (State Secret Police) • German people were terrified by the Gestapo believing them to be everywhere – workplace, pub, club, residential block etc. • The reality was rather different – only 20, 000 officers for whole of Germany • The Gestapo however had a deserved reputation for brutality • They relied on informers for information – party members were encouraged to spy on their neighbours Hitler Youth were encouraged to squeal on their parents. Every residential block had a ‘Block leader’ who reported suspicious activity to the Gestapo • In some ways the German people could be seen as practising ‘self surveillance’

Gestapo – Secret Police

Propaganda that encourages eavesdropping and informing

Hitler Youth as spies embedded within families It was important to the Nazi leaders that the Hitler Youth be widespread, because there was no other way for the secret police organizations to get inside many families. Although most of the victims of the Holocaust were Jewish, the establishment of the Hitler Youth was a way to further torment and victimize those who were not loyal to Hitler by making their own children spy against them.

Youth in the family and in training

Propaganda Posters

Reichstag Fire Decree and the Enabling Act • Government Parliament building burns down due to arson (1933) • Hitler, sworn in as Chancellor that year, urged the president Hindenburg to issue an emergency decree to suspend civil liberties and pursue Communist party members who were blamed for the fire.

The Storm Troopers Ø Hitler knew the Army was the one force left in Germany with the power to overthrow him. Ø That had to be prevented at all costs, and the cost for Hitler was a secret pact with Germany’s military leaders. In exchange for Army support in the future, he agreed to curb the power of his SA. At the end of June 1934, Hitler fulfilled his part of the bargain. Ø In a sudden strike over one week-end, hundreds of SA leaders throughout Germany were arrested and executed in a blood purge known as the “Night of the Long Knives. ”

INGSOC - Principles • Newspeak • Doublethink • The mutability of the past

The Ministry of Truth - Minitru • War is peace • Freedom is slavery • Ignorance is strength

Surveillance in Oceania • Telescreen • Child spies • Thought Police • Thoughtcrime

Writing Practice Based on your understanding of Nazi Germany control methods, discuss how Oceania is portrayed as a totalitarian state by George Orwell. Ø Remember to structure your ideas into a PEEL paragraph.

p. 20 “He was a lonely ghost uttering a truth that nobody would ever hear. But so long as he uttered it, in some obscure way the continuity was not broken. It was not by making yourself heard but by staying sane that you carried on the human heritage. ” Go to page 20 and read where this quote appears and what Winston goes on to say about Thoughtcrime. Write a paragraph in response to the following question: Discuss how Orwell position readers to see that through Winston’s actions, even in the midst of tyranny, admirable human qualities can survive.