Transcript GLEICHSCHALTUNG – the policy of Co

Gleichschaltung – the consolidation of
society under Nazi control
Local government – power
centralised under Nazi
control
Repression of opponents through
terror and acts of law
All opposing political parties
banned by July 1933
Local state govs. abolished
March 1933; powers assumed
by Nazis in Berlin
Trade unions banned;
replaced by the German
Labour Front, May 1933
Upper House of the
Reichstag abolished
1934
State governors appointed
to run each state; responsible
directly to Berlin
Plebiscite held (Nov. 1934)
on Hitler’s new powers: 90%
vote in favour (43m votes)
First concentration camp
under SS control at
Dachau, March 1933
Law Against the
Formation of Parties,
July 1933
Hitler assumes both offices
President and Chancellor as
‘Fuhrer’ – Aug. 1934
Night of the Long
Knives – SA leaders
and other opponents
eliminated; June 1934
Civil and political
liberties suspended
by ‘For the
Protection of the
People and State’
decree, March 1933
Jews and political
opponents removed
from the Civil
Service, April 1933
Armed forces oath of
personal loyalty to
Hitler, Aug. 1934
• David Low’s sardonic comment in 1934
on the Night of the Long Knives
WAS HITLER ABSOLUTE MASTER OF
GERMANY?
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The idea that Hitler was the all-powerful dictator of Germany from 1933 onwards
does not stand up to analysis.
His authority – up to 1938, at least – was limited by a variety of factors: his largely
lazy, sometimes indecisive character, the influence of the elites who helped to put
him in power, opposition elements inside the Nazi Party (up to 1934)the Christian
Churches; the civil service.
Hitler’s power was limited between 1933 and 1934
Hitler was able to establish a powerful dictatorship by August 1934 and absolute
power by the end of 1938
His personal authority was not seriously challenged until the last days of the Second
World War. Throughout this period he was the source of all key decisions on matters
of policy and ideology.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT
INTERPRETATIONS OF THE NAZI PERIOD?
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The Intentionalists: Intentionalist historians support the traditional view of the Hitler
dictatorship. This sees Hitler as a strong dictator who controlled the Nazi state and
subordinates as he wished ( or as he intended). He achieved this by a policy of
‘divide and rule’ of his subordinates – making them compete against each other for
his approval and support. Divided in this way, they could not challenge his supreme
authority.
The Structuralists: Structuralist historians argue against the view of Hitler as the allpowerful ruler in a well-ordered Nazi Germany. They argue that Hitler’s rule was
chaotic and confused because he avoided making day-to-day decisions, and left these
to his subordinates. His authority was limited by the need to win the support of
powerful groups such as businessmen, army leaders, or by the existing structures of
society, such as the Christian Churches. They argue that Hitler was ‘a weak dictator.’
Conclusion: there is no doubting Hitler’s huge personal authority and power during
the Nazi period but Hitler had to operate in a political situation in which
compromises and limits on that authority were inevitable – as they are for any ruler or
political leader.