From Kaiser to Fuhrer: Popularity and Efficiency of Nazi Germany (5)

5.1: A consensus dictatorship? Pt.1

Evidence the regime was popular
1. The Plebiscites
a. `plebiscitary acclamation'
b. Between 90-99% in favour of Nazi policies
c. Even in Saarland when under the League of Nations' control, the results were similar to
rest of Germany

Lack of opposition
1. During 1930s hardly…

5.2: A consensus dictatorship? Pt.2

The legacy of the Weimar Republic
1. Weimar democracy perceived as a failure

Popular policies?
1. Unemployment reduced, falling to 1m in January 1935
2. Strength Through Joy allowed more leisure activities for the working-class. 28.5k workers for
Siemens went on holiday
3. Army peacefully…

5.3: A consensus dictatorship? Pt.3

Was the regime really popular?
1. Evidence from SOPADE, Gestapo and SD reports indicate dissatisfaction with living
standards, propaganda and the Nazi Party
2. Martin Broszat says some civil servants resisted Nazi initiative and generals tried to prevent
complete Nazi control of military
3. Tim…

5.4: The role of terror and repression

The terror against the left
1. 1933:
a. SA broke up SPD meetings, arrested and murdered KPD and SPD members, took over
trade union offices in May
b. Concentration camps established to detain opposition. 150-200k people in 1933. Most
released over next two…

5.5: An efficient state? Pt.1

Strong dictator?
1. Fuhrerprinzip meant that all power concentrated in Hitler's hands
2. Internationalist historians have argued that the Nazi state was totalitarian

Weak dictator?
1. Since 1960s, this was suggested as organisation and decision-making was chaotic and
inefficient
2. Hitler was frequently lazy, often…

5.6: An efficient state? Pt.2

The role of Hitler
1. Steered foreign policy by rejecting the Treaty of Versailles and then developing expansionist
ideas
2. 1936, Hitler remilitarised Rhineland against advice from his generals
3. Instrumental in Anschluss in 1938
4. Pushed to expand in Eastern Europe, seen in his…

5.7: An efficient state? Pt. 3

Reasons for `working towards the Fuhrer'
1. Ideological: Fuhrerprinzip
2. Advance their careers
3. Potency of Hitler Myth, people actually believed Hitler was the saviour

The Third Reich: a Darwinian Jungle?
1. Because of `working towards the Fuhrer', Hitler was a dictator who didn't…