2003 paper

Essential Facts

Theme I
The roots of Nazi ideology -

• Examination of the long term roots of Nazism including the influence of volkish nationalism.

• How significant were the influences of Richard Wagner, Karl Luger, Georg von Schonerer and Houston Stewart Chamberlain in shaping Adolf Hitler’s world view?

• The impact of the First World War and defeat in 1918: how significant an influence was the myth of the ‘stab on the back’ and the VersaillesTreaties on Nazi ideology?

• The establishment of Nazi ideology including the foundation of the German Workers’ Party, the 1920 Programme, the Munich Putsch and its aftermath, Mein Kampf, Bamberg and the Fuhrer Principle.

• What were the contributions to the development of Nazi ideology of Gottfried Feder, Gregor Strasser, Walter Darre and Alfred Rosenberg?

Theme II
Factors facilitating Nazi control of Germany

• The impact of Weimar Government on public opinion.

• The importance of the Harzburg Front and the continuing impact on public opinion of reparations and Versailles.

• The role played by President Hindenburg and the attitude of the establishment towards the Weimar Republic.

• The attitude of big business towards the Weimar Republic.

• The impact of the economic crisis from 1929 to 1933 and the crisis within the political system; political polarisation and its significance.

• The role played by the establishment in the Nazi’s coming to power, including President Hindenburg, von Papen, Schacht and the business elite.

Theme III

Consolidation Workpack
The Consolidation of power 1933-1939

• Examination of the obstacles to a dictatorship in January 1933.

• The consolidation of power in 1933 including: the aftermath of the Reichstag Fire, the Enabling Act, the abolition of Trades Unions and political parties, the Concordat with the Catholic Church, and Gleichshaltung.

• Examination of the consolidation of power in 1934 including: the tension between SA and Armed Forces 1933-1934, Rohm and the ‘Second Revolution’, continuing political violence, the Marburg Speech, the Night of the Long Knives, the oath of allegiance, and Fuhrer plebiscite.

• Examination of the consolidation of power from 1935-1939 including: the impact of the Berlin Olympics, economic recovery, radicalisation of policy, the resignation of Hjalmar Schacht in 1937, foreign policy success, the drive to war, and the Blomberg Fritsch Affair 1938.

Theme IV

Power of Hitler Workack

The SS State Workpack
The structure of the Nazi state and the role of Hitler

• The Functioning of the Nazi Regime: State and Society - Click here for clear explanation of the Structuralist and intentionalist argument.

• Examination of the development of the role of the Fuhrer within the Nazi State: the Fuhrer principle, ‘working towards the Fuhrer’, the decision making  role played by Hitler, the development of the cult of the Fuhrer.

• Examination of the changing balance in power between the ‘normative’ and the ‘prerogative’ state.

• What was the role of the Gauleiter and their relationship to the Fuhrer?

• Examination of the process of decision-making in the Nazi state focusing on the radicalisation of policy directed against Germany’s Jews, with special reference to the 1933 Boycott, the Nuremberg Laws of 1935, Anschluss, Kristallnacht 1938, and the Final Solution.

• Examination of the development of the Nazi State in wartime, Hitler’s wartime role, and changes in how the state operated in wartime.
  The emerging influences of Martin Bormann and Albert Speer.

Theme V
The relationship between Hitler and his Lieutenants?

Propaganda workpack

• Examination of the emergence of the SS and the roles of Himmler and Heydrich.

• What was the extent and impact of denunciation in Nazi Germany? (See below)

• Look here for the arguments of Gelattely who suggests that 'that millions of ordinary German citizens were relatively well informed, willing, and frequently active participants in the horrors that were perpetrated on the Third Reich's very own soil.'

• How were decisions made in Hitler's Germany?

• How did the terror state work, what were the roles of the SD and Gestapo, how did the work of the SS/SD and Gestapo undermine that of the legal system and judiciary?

• The development of the concentration camp system.

• Examination of the importance of Nazi propaganda, including the role played by Goebbels, the use of film, radio, newspapers, posters and rallies.

• Examination of the work and significance of Leni Riefenstahl

• Look at these two links for more information on Riefenstahl's film 'Triumph of the Will' 1.Wikipedia   - 2. The History Place

• This link takes you to a brief clip of Riefenstahls' 'Triumph of the Will' - Watch it and see how the the Nazi's used her film as a propaganda tool. What impression of the Nazi state does this film give? This link takes you to a documentary made by a student on Leni Riefenstahl

• What was the impact of Nazi propaganda on different social groups in Germany? Goebbells and Propaganda

• Examination of the power of the Nazi Party including the roles of Hess and Bormann up to 1945. - Notes on Nazi Germany during the Second World War

• Examination of the importance of Goering: his importance as Hitler’s designated successor, as head of the Luftwaffe and as Plenipotentiary with responsibility for the Office of the Four Year Plan.

Theme VI
Consent and opposition in the Nazi State

• Examination of the extent of, and reasons for, support for the Nazi regime amongst different social groups including the working classes, peasantry, Mittelstand, upper middle classes and the establishment.

• The use of plebiscites in establishing consent.

• Examination of the extent of, and reasons for, opposition to the Nazi State from the Catholic and Protestant Churches, Jehovah Witnesses, communists, socialists, conservatives and some elements within the armed forces, including an examination of the concept of resistenz, ‘grumbling’ and dissent from some youth groups.