Consolidation of Power

Hitler’s Rise to Power

The Enabling Act passed in 1933 played a critical role in Hitler’s consolidation of power. It allowing Hitler and his cabinet to enact laws without the approval of the Reichstag, effectively making Hitler a legal dictator.
Hitler’s use of propaganda was significant. Joseph Goebbels was appointed as Propaganda Minister, and used state-controlled media to establish a ‘Führer cult’ around Hitler, cementing his control over the state.
The Night of the Long Knives in 1934 was a crucial point. Hitler ordered a purge of the SA (Storm Detachment), a paramilitary organisation of the Nazi Party, eliminating potential rivals and consolidating his power.

Institutional Changes and Measures

Hitler established the leadership principle, or Führerprinzip, meaning all decisions descended from Hitler and were unquestionable. This principle solidified his absolute power within the party.
The Law for the Reconstruction of the State dissolved state parliaments and transferred their powers to the Reich governor, centralising Hitler’s power further.
The Gestapo (Secret State Police) was a tool for Hitler to deal with opposition and resistance. Fear of arrest and internment without trial reinforced Hitler’s control.

Control Over Youth and Education

Through the Hitler Youth and the League of German Maidens, the Nazi Party directly influenced young people, fostering a generation loyal to Hitler’s ideologies.
Traditional school curriculums were replaced with one that focused on physical fitness and Nazi propaganda, ensuring ideological indoctrination from a young age.

Persecution of Enemies and Minorities

Hitler pursued a policy of anti-Semitic laws and actions that marginalised Jews, blaming them for Germany’s downfall.
The Nuremberg Laws of 1935 stripped Jews of their rights as German citizens, providing a pseudo-legal foundation for further persecution.
Political opponents, such as Communists and Social Democrats, were arrested and sent to concentration camps, eliminating opposition and creating a climate of fear.

Cultural and Social Changes

Hitler implemented the policy of Gleichschaltung or coordination, bringing all aspects of life under the control of the party, including youth organisations, trade unions, and the press.
Hitler promoted the Aryan race as superior and this ideology became entrenched in German society.
Nazi propaganda painted a cohesive picture of cultural unity, however in reality, Germans had varied opinions and experiences under the Nazi regime. This notion is key to avoid over-generalisations about life in Nazi Germany.