The Success of Repression
History: KS3, topic 18.2.3
The Success of Nazi Repression
Hitler ran Germany as a police state. This means that the police controlled every aspect of daily life for German citizens. It was an extremely successful system.
The success of repression
- Nazi tools for repression (control by force) were very successful.
- The German population thought the Gestapo and SS were everywhere.
- This widespread fear meant that the German people did not oppose the Nazi regime.
Fear of the Gestapo
- As the Gestapo had so many informants (people giving information), there was no dissent (people expressing beliefs different to the common beliefs).
- Everyone was careful about what they said about the Nazis in fear that they would be heard and reported.
Spying citizens
- Many German citizens were encouraged to spy.
- While some were fervent (passionate) Nazi supporters, others used the opportunity for their personal agendas (plans).
- Spying could help solve a personal vendetta (where the family of a murdered person seeks revenge on the murderer or the murderer's family).
The importance of force
- While repression (control by force) and propaganda (information designed to influence people) worked together to create Gleichschaltung, repression (control by force) was more important.
Who supported the Nazis in the early 1930s?
- Supporting Hitler and the Nazi party in 1932 was different from supporting them in 1943. The 2 reasons for this work in different directions:
- Their less humane policies were not clearly articulated in efforts to win the 1932 election. It made support less likely in 1940.
- German propaganda, censorship, the police state, and brainwashing from 1932 would have made it easier to support them over time, despite their policies. This made support more likely in 1940.
Test yourself on The Success of Repression
What prevented dissent in Nazi Germany?
Which was the most important aspect in the creation of gleischaltung?