Nazi Control

Emergence and Fundamentals of Nazi Control

Nazi Control sprouted from the ideological roots established by Adolf Hitler and various other influential figures within the party. The Nazi Party's ideology was a construct of immensely potent elements:

• Nationalism
• Racial purity
• Anti-semitism
• Anti-communism

Following World War I, Germany found itself in a state of despair due to the severe economic afflictions triggered by the Treaty of Versailles. Capitalising on this widespread discontentment, the Nazi party and Hitler grew significantly in popularity between 1930 and 1933.

Power Structure: Democracy to Dictatorship

The transfer from democracy to dictatorship was neither abrupt nor straightforward. When Hitler was appointed as the Chancellor on January 30, 1933, Germany was still a democracy. However, by August 2, 1934, the Weimar Constitution was effectively superseded, and Hitler had consolidated his control as both Chancellor and President. This power transition can be articulated by a two-dimensional power structure model:

Key Players in the Nazi Control

A glimpse into the intricate cobweb of Nazi control isn't complete without the significant players. Besides Adolf Hitler, various officers shaped and bolstered Nazi control. Most critically:

• Heinrich Himmler - Chief of the SS and the Gestapo
• Hermann Göring - Founded the Gestapo and headed the Luftwaffe
• Joseph Goebbels - Minister of Propaganda

Nazi Control of The Press

Nazi Control of the Press is an integral chapter when delving into the mechanisms utilised by Hitler's regime to influence public opinion, instigate terror and maintain a stronghold. An intricate blend of manipulation, censorship, and propaganda was employed to ensure that the press aligns with the ideological underpinnings of the Nazi party and reflects their narrative unquestioningly.

Mechanisms of Nazi Control Over The Press

Understanding the mechanisms of Nazi control over the press requires an investigation into the multifarious strategies they devised and executed. Imminent was the shift from independent journalism to a press that is completely state-controlled and remarkably one-dimensional.

• Media Consolidation: Under the Nazi reign, all publishing houses and newspapers were consolidated under the Nazi-owned Eher Verlag. This concentration resulted in a homogeneous media landscape with a singular narrative.
• Censorship: This was a principal stratagem of Nazi Control. The Reich Ministry for Propaganda, led by Joseph Goebbels, issued the "editorial control law", dictating what the press can report. Simultaneously, it also established an extensive list of banned subjects and words, curbing any scope for independent publishing.
• Propaganda: The press was manipulated ingeniously to disseminate Nazi propaganda and establish Hitler's image as the nation's saviour and guide. The Nazi control extended to all forms of media, from newspapers and radio broadcasts to films and school textbooks.
• Gleichschaltung: This was a process that aimed at 'Nazifying' all aspects of German life. The press was no exception; it was 'coordinated' and 'synchronised' to align with the Nazi worldview.

Role of Propaganda in Nazi Control of The Press

The role of propaganda in Nazi control of the press was inestimable. It became a potent tool in the hands of Joseph Goebbels, who manipulated it profoundly to orchestrate a reality that fostered the ideology of the Nazi party and Hitler's image.

A core facet of Nazi propaganda was the notion of the 'Volksgemeinschaft' or the 'National Community'. This concept of a harmonious Aryan community was rigorously peddled through the press. The myth of the 'stab in the back', outrage against the Treaty of Versailles, anti-Semitic paranoia were all pressed into national consciousness, forging a narrative of victimhood and the need for a totalitarian regime.

The press was also employed diligently to reinforce stereotypes and prejudices, particularly against Jews, making hatred and violence an accepted norm. Publications like Der Stürmer, notorious for its anti-Semitic caricatures, were encouraged.

Propaganda was a well-calculated psychological manoeuvre, crafted with the intimate knowledge of human behaviour, emotions and reactions. It was directed judiciously to manipulate public sentiment and gain mass conformance to the totalitarian regime.

The Press Under Nazi Rule: A Case Study

Delving into the intricacies of Nazi control of the press, the case of "Völkischer Beobachter" ("The Peoples' Observer"), the primary propaganda organ of the Nazi party, is particularly instructive.

The paper began as a minor weekly publication but saw exponential growth under the Nazi control, reflecting the party's evolving tactics for propaganda. "Völkischer Beobachter" became a daily newspaper in 1923 and was instrumental in Hitler's rise to power.

As the spearhead of Nazi propaganda, the publication perpetuated the party's myriad ideologies, from radical anti-Semitism and anti-communism to pro-Nazi nationalism. Rebuking the democrats and republicans and vilifying the perceived 'enemies' of Germany, it echoed Hitler's unfounded narratives.

This case study is a valuable lens to observe how the Nazi control of the press was not just about censorship but also about shaping public opinion in favour of the regime, ensuring its unchallenged reign.

Nazi Control of Education

Nazi control extended to every aspect of public life, and education wasn't excluded. With a thorough comprehension that the educational system was a potent tool for indoctrination, they aimed to mould the psyches of the German youth, nurture blind allegiance and shape a generation congruent with the Nazi worldview.

Imposition of Nazi Control in Schools

The Nazi control structured an educational system that not only disseminated their propaganda but also groomed distinct roles for boys and girls, thereby reinforcing their ideologies. Firstly, teachers were coerced to join the Nazi Teachers' League which was responsible for controlling the content taught in schools. Further, all universities were urged to dismiss Jewish professors and any faculty members opposing the Nazi Party.

Education for boys was focused on breeding soldiers. Alongside the basic academic curriculum, additional emphasis was laid upon physical fitness and military training while propagating the myth of Aryan racial superiority.

Girls, on the other hand, were educated primarily for child rearing and household management, aimed at nurturing them into perfect homemakers and mothers, echoing the Nazi slogan 'Kinder, Küche, Kirche' – Children, Kitchen, Church. Subtly, the Nazis aimed to increase the Aryan population through these measures.

While religion was a significant part of education prior, under the Nazi reign, it was slowly phased out and replaced with lessons on Nazi ideologies.

Modification of Curriculum Under Nazi Control

The curriculum under Nazi control was extensively modified to become a tool of ideological indoctrination. All subjects were 'Nazified', and history, German language, geography, racially informed biology ('Rassenkunde') and physical education became the focal points of the curriculum.

For instance, History was taught with a heavy Nazi bias. They glorified Germany's past, Adolf Hitler, and propagated the myth of the 'stab in the back'. Geography was used to showcase the racial superiority of the Aryans and Germany's need for more 'Lebensraum' or living space. Language lessons were manipulated to ignite nationalist fervour.

In Biology, pseudoscientific theories concerning racial hygiene and eugenics were taught. Students learned about the hierarchical 'racial ladder', with Aryans at the top and Jews at the bottom, accompanied by corresponding physical and moral traits associated with these racial classifications.

Physical Education was given paramount importance, as it was considered essential for the preparation of future soldiers and mothers.

Moreover, students were introduced to an entirely new subject – Ideology – where Hitler's "Mein Kampf" was dissected, attempting to indoctrinate the Nazi philosophy into young minds.

The Impact on German Youth Education

The Nazi control over education had an exceptional impact. It led to a generation of German youth that was efficaciously indoctrinated with Nazi ideologies, displaying psyches moulded to reflect the Nazi worldview. The regime succeeded in creating an environment of pseudo-normalcy around their atrocities, bolstering compliance and acceptance.

Children were manipulated to turn against those who didn’t conform to the Nazi norms, including their own family members, thus crafting an environment of terror and mutual surveillance.

Simultaneously, the Nazis dissolved most of the existing youth organisations and introduced the Hitler Youth for boys and the League of German Girls. Membership was initially optional, but post-1936, it became compulsory. The agenda for these groups was to breed loyalty towards Hitler and the ideals of the Nazi party.

The surge of anti-Semitic sentiments, belief in Aryan superiority, and the glorified militarism became nestled into the minds and hearts of a whole generation. The Nazi educational ethos persisted, even when the regime fell, leaving deep scars on the German psyche and the nation's memory.

Nazi Control of Industry

From the time the Nazis ascended to power, they exerted a significant level of control over the German industry. Steering it towards their goals, they strategically transformed the industrial sector to meet the demands of their political agenda and war preparations.

Transformation of German Industry Under Nazi Control

The transformation of the German industry under Nazi control is a key aspect of comprehending the economic dynamics of the time. The industry was made to align with the Nazi objective of rapidly building a strong, militarised nation, ready for war.

As the Nazis rose to power amidst economic depression and ensuing unemployment, they sought to revive the industry and demonstrate economic recovery. Thereby, their policy was two-pronged: one, to reduce unemployment, and second, to channelise resources towards war preparations.

Public-funded projects like the Autobahn and the mass production of automobiles were initiated, creating jobs and spurring economic revival. However, underlying these seemingly benign public projects, the Nazis were strategically using them as stepping-stones towards militarisation.

In the backdrop of regular industrial production, an extensive armament industry was in the making. Many private firms saw an abrupt shift in their line of production, adapting to the manufacture of armaments and war materials. Consequently, the once-flourishing industries of consumer goods faced a downturn. This reorientation of the German industry was not without coercion and intimidation, characteristic of the Nazi control.

Policies for Nazi Control Over Industries

Nazi control over industries was enforced through a set of policies and practices. At the outset, they sought cooperation from the industrialists, offering lucrative contracts for armament production. However, this cooperation was not devoid of the omnipresent Nazi intimidation.

Simultaneously, some significant industrialists were drawn into the Nazi party, solidifying the nexus between the party and industrial control. Names like Gustav Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach of the steel conglomerate Krupp AG, and Fritz Thyssen, a prominent steel and coal magnate, stand testament to this coalition.

Industrialists resistant to the Nazi armament drive were subject to "Aryanisation" - a policy through which Jewish-owned businesses and factories were seized and transferred to non-Jewish Germans. Through this strategy, many industries conveniently landed in the hands of the Nazis. The "Reichswerke Hermann Göring" was a typical state-owned enterprise born out of this process, delving headlong into iron and steel production - crucial for war preparations.

The "Four Year Plan", inaugurated in 1936 under the purview of Hermann Göring, further strengthened the saudade strategies employed for Nazi control of industry. As the name suggests, the plan sought to make Germany war-ready within four years, implying autonomous production of raw materials and armaments, while decreasing dependence on imports. This agenda implied rigorous state control over the industry, guiding its orientation towards the war economy.

Effects on the German Economy and Workers

The Nazi control of the industry had widespread repercussions on the German economy and workers. Economic revival was accompanied by an unprecedented surge in public debt, incurred by public projects and armament manufacture. Consumer goods industries faced a downturn, and rationing became a reality of everyday life.

While at the surface level, the decline of unemployment was extolled by the Nazi propaganda machine, the reality was far from it. Hitler's ‘Work and Bread’ promise did translate into more jobs, but it also led to the dismantling of unions, replacing them with the Nazi-controlled "German Labour Front" (Deutsche Arbeitsfront).

Consequently, workers' rights were vastly compromised. Wages were controlled, bonuses were cut down, and the eight-hour workday was often breached, especially in the armament industry. The right to strike was abolished, and those voicing dissent were detained in newly instituted labour camps.

All in all, the Nazi control over the industry visibly invigorated the economy, created employment opportunities, and enabled major infrastructural advancements. However, this facade of development was built over suppressed workers' rights, an economy gearing towards war, and the erosion of independent industrial enterprise.

Nazi Control Over Youth

In the Nazi blueprint for societal control, the German youth occupied a pivotal role. Understanding this demographic's influence on the nation's future, Nazis sought to wield extensive control over young minds - to shape, indoctrinate, and mould them into the ideal Nationalsocialistic archetype.

Nazi Youth Policies and Organisations

The Nazi youth policies were a critical component of their broader strategy for societal subordination. They were crafted meticulously to influence and manage every aspect of a young person's life - education, leisure, socialisation, and eventually, their worldview.

Consequently, a plethora of Nazi organisations targeting the youth were instituted. The journey commenced with the German Youth ('Deutsches Jungvolk') for boys aged 10 to 14 and the League of German Girls ('Jungmädelbund') for girls of the same age group. Post-14, boys graduated to the Hitler Youth ('Hitlerjugend'), and girls to the League of German Girls ('Bund Deutscher Mädel'). Furthermore, there were special divisions for students aspiring for university education or specific professions.

These organisations offered a mix of activities - outdoor games, camping, songs, and athletics - all designed with the covert aim of indoctrination. However, these seemingly benign activities harboured ulterior motives.

• Membership of these organisations was initially voluntary, but following the Youth Service Decree of 1939, it became virtually compulsory.
• Nazi ideology was subtly infused into leisure activities, gradually creating a sense of normality around these ideas.
• All group activities were structured to imbibe obedience, discipline, and conformity, the bedrock of Nazi ideals.
• Frequent sessions were held to drill the Nazi racial ideology and the Aryan supremacy myth into young minds.

Hitler Youth: An Instrument for Nazi Control

Of all the Nazi youth organisations, the Hitler Youth stands out prominently. Targeted at boys aged 14 to 18, it was designed to prepare them for military service while indoctrinating them with firm Nazi convictions.

Activity in the Hitler Youth was methodically segregated into different domains, each serving a distinct purpose:

But above all, being a part of the Hitler Youth meant learning to shrink oneself- to value the collective over personal desires or independent thinking. Obedience, conformity, and the ability to suppress curiosity and dissent were glorified virtues that the Hitler Youth sought to instil in its members.

Consequences of Nazi Control on Youth Life

The Nazi control over the youth had several far-reaching consequences on their lives. While it did give the facade of providing a structured environment, it came at the cost of individuality and freedom. In essence, the Nazi youth policy was a manifestation of psychological manipulation, where young minds were conditioned to become cogs in the Nazi machinery, stripping them of their identities.

However, this extensive control meant that adolescence was laden with intense political pressure. For those who dared dissent or dared to dream beyond the prescribed norms, life turned into a constant struggle – to conform or to hold onto the vestiges of their identities.

Unyielding pressure was applied to dissuade boys from pursuing anything that did not align with the Nazi ideal of masculinity. Similarly, girls were subtly, yet firmly guided towards their 'preordained' roles as mothers and homemakers, discouraging any aspiration beyond that.

In the end, while it may seem like the Nazis succeeded in their aim – creating a generation that bore their ideological imprint, it is important to note that many resisted this remorseless control, albeit secretly. They clung onto their identities, dreams and ideals, bracing the Nazi oppression, embodying the human spirit's resilience.

Nazi Control of The Legal System

Delving into the Nazi control, it is crucial to discuss their manipulation of the legal system. Nazi ideas bled into every law, court judgement, and legal procedure, effectively creating a legal facade for their autocratic rule. This significant shift in the rule of law in Germany during the Nazi era drastically changed the justice system's very essence.

Law and Order in Germany under Nazi Control

During the Nazi reign, the German legal system underwent massive changes. Criminal policy, legislation and judiciary were skewed, serving as instruments of Nazi policy. The legal order became a tool, ensuring efficient implementation of Nazi ideologies and providing legal sanction to their gross human rights violations.

Here's a look at the major changes:

• Replacement of Civil Liberty Laws: The Nazis replaced several civil liberty laws, and laws safeguarding individual and political rights were discarded or modified to suit their agenda. The infamous 'Enabling Act' of 1933 gave Hitler and his ministers full legislative powers, including the right to deviate from the constitution.
• Introduction of Anti-Semitic Laws: Racially motivated laws targeting non-Aryans, particularly the Jews, were introduced. The most notorious of these were the Nuremberg Laws of 1935.
• Control over Judiciary: Judges were merchants of Nazi will. They were forced to join the 'Nazi League for the Maintenance of the Law'. Independent judges were ousted and replaced with those sympathetic to the Nazi cause.

Legal Adaptations for Nazi Control

The Nazis embarked on an extensive process of amending existing laws and introducing new ones to cement their control. The aim was not just to legitimise their rule but also to tighten their grasp over German society.

Perhaps the most significant legal adaptation for Nazi control was the 'Enabling Act' which virtually provided Hitler with dictatorial powers. This Act shifted the balance of power from the parliament to Hitler himself, making him the supreme law-making authority.

Besides these, numerous anti-Semitic laws were also introduced as part of the legal adaptations. The Nuremberg Laws, consisting of the Reich Citizenship Law and the Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor, are prime examples of this. Jews were stripped of their citizenship and basic human rights, and intermarriages between Jews and 'Aryans' were prohibited.

Impact on Justice and Fair Trial under Nazi Control

The impact of Nazi control on justice and fair trial was devastating. Nazis harnessed the legal system to grant a veneer of legality to their oppressive regime, enabling systemic persecution. The principle of fair trial was decisively undermined, judicial independence was quashed, and the rule of law was essentially supplanted by the rule of the Nazi party.

Striking features of this perversion of the German justice system included:

• Lack of Judicial Independence: The Nazis purged the judiciary of independent-minded judges, replacing them with party loyalists. Judges were expected to rule in line with Nazi policies and ideologies.
• Persecution instead of Prosecution: The legal machinery was used to hound, rather than try, individuals. The focus shifted from punishing crime to punishing so-called 'enemies of the state'.
• Rise of Extra-judicial Violence: Legalised terror was pervasive in Nazi Germany, with the notorious Gestapo given a free hand in dealing with perceived threats to the Nazi regime.

A noteworthy manifestation of Nazi perversion of justice was the 'People's Court' - a special court established in 1934 to trial political crimes. Devised as a tool for political suppression, it conducted show trials and handed out harsh sentences with no regard for legal ethics, or the rights of the accused.

Thus, under the Nazis, the legal system was an instrument of terror rather than a pillar of justice. It was an exploitative regime, wherein laws were tailored to justify the most heinous deeds, where judicial independence was mere fiction, and the principle of a fair trial was outrightly flouted.