Nazi mini-sheet # 2

It failed and Hitler was sent to jail. While there he wrote Mein Kampf (My
Battle) which became the Bible of the Nazis, and in which he described his plans for
the future Reich under Nazi control.

Hitler discovered that he could attract and hold large audiences by his fierce
descriptions of the woes of Germany and sharp attacks on Jews and foreigners. His
spell-binding talent helped to build up the Nazi Party. He also discovered the
technique of the big lie – the bigger the lie, constantly repeated, the easier it was to
convince the people of its truth.

After the economic collapse of Germany (929) Hitler’s promises sounded

tempting. To the unemployed, he promised jobs; to industrial and banking groups,
the removal of a growing Communist threat; he promised the Nationalists to tear up
the Versailles Treaty and re-establish Germany as a Great Power; to the average
German, his anti-Semitic stat4ements promised the elimination of small but wealthy
group. Nazi influence grew from 18% of the popular vote in 1930 to 37% in 1932.

The Nazis seize Control. By 1932 the depression had grown worse and the
grumblings louder. The German President, General von Hindenburg, appointed one
Chancellor after another to deal with the crisis. Finally, in desperation, he turned to
the Nazis and their allies, the Nationalists. In January, 1933, Hitler was appointed
Chancellor.

Hitler’s first move was to dissolve the Reichstag and order new elections.
Though he controlled the radio and threatened his opponents, Hitler secured only a
bare majority in the election. However, the new Reichstag voted absolute powers to
Hitler. The Weimar Republic had come to an end.

C. The Nazi Dictatorship

Changes in Government. Hitler quickly established one-man, one party rule in

Germany. Political power was concentrated in Berlin. Calling his regime the Third
Reich, Hitler substituted the imperial flag for the Weimar banner. After the death of
von Hindenburg, in 1934, Hitler became President and Chancellor. As Der Fuehrer
(“The Leader”) he had absolute power.

Civil liberties were cancelled. Educational institutions, the press, movies and
radio were brought under Nazi control. Superb propaganda hypnotized a divided,
confused and partly paralyzed nation and preached a narrow chauvinism (fanatical
patriotism). The myth of the Feuhrer who could do no wrong and Nazi attitudes
regarding race and religion, were carefully circulated by the Ministry of Propaganda,
headed by Joseph Goebbels.