Why “All Germans Were Nazis” - How Hitler Created the 3rd Reich | BETWEEN 2 WARS I 1934 Part 1 of 4

Summary

In 1933, Hitler rapidly transformed from Chancellor to dictator of Nazi Germany, leveraging the Nazi organization to consolidate power. The script outlines Hitler's use of the SA and SS to suppress opposition, the establishment of concentration camps, and the implementation of anti-Semitic policies. It also details the Nazi control over media and propaganda, the suppression of political opposition, and the manipulation of labor rights. The narrative culminates in the Night of the Long Knives, where Hitler eliminates SA leadership, solidifying his absolute power.

Takeaways

• 😐 The process of 'Gleichschaltung' was used by the Nazis to phase out state and individual freedom of thought, replacing it with party ideology and control.
• 🕍 In 1933, Hitler rapidly transformed from Chancellor to dictator, using the Nazi organization created by Gregor Strasser to consolidate power.
• 🏭 Hitler's regime relied on six key strategies to seize and maintain power, including rallying economic support, usurping state government, and controlling mass communication.
• 👥 The Nazi regime operated with a decentralized approach, allowing for competition and interpretation of Hitler's will, leading to a chaotic yet effective system.
• 🗣️ The SA, led by Ernst Rohm, became a violent paramilitary force used to intimidate and attack political enemies, growing to nearly 3 million members.
• 🔒 The establishment of concentration camps marked the beginning of organized state terror, with Dachau being the first official camp opened in 1933.
• 📚 Anti-Semitic actions escalated, including the boycott of Jewish businesses and the destruction of the Institute for Sexual Science in Berlin.
• 🚫 Laws were enacted to exclude Jews and other non-Aryans from professional and public life, including the Law for the Protection of a Professional Civil Service.
• 🏭 The Nazis co-opted and controlled labor by dissolving trade unions and creating the German Labor Front, which suppressed worker rights while providing some benefits to workers.
• 📰 Propaganda and media control were heavily utilized to manipulate public opinion and ensure that only the Nazi narrative was heard by the German population.
• ⚖️ The 'Night of the Long Knives' in 1934 marked the purge of the SA leadership and the solidification of Hitler's power, eliminating significant threats to his rule.

Q & A

What was the process the Nazis used to consolidate power in Germany after 1933?

The process was called Gleichschaltung, which involved phasing out state and freedom of thought and phasing in the party machine and Nazi zealotry.

How did Hitler become the de facto dictator of Nazi Germany?

Hitler became the de facto dictator through the Nazi organization created by Gregor Strasser, which allowed him to usurp state government and replace it with the party machine.

What was the role of the SA (Sturmabteilung) in the Nazi regime?

The SA, led by Ernst Röhm, was a paramilitary organization used for political violence, rounding up potential political enemies, and enforcing Nazi ideology through intimidation and terror.

What was the significance of the Dachau concentration camp?

Dachau was the first organized concentration camp established by the Nazis, marking the beginning of a system of terror and persecution against political enemies and other targeted groups.

How did the Nazis target Jews in the early stages of their regime?

The Nazis targeted Jews through anti-Semitic violence, boycotts of Jewish-owned businesses, and legislation that barred Jews from various professions and public services.

What was the impact of the 'Law for the Protection of a Professional Civil Service' on Jews and political opposition?

This law led to the dismissal of non-Aryans, primarily Jews, from national, state, and municipal services, and expanded the illegal detention of political opponents like Communists and Social Democrats.

How did the Nazis manipulate May Day to serve their agenda?

The Nazis turned May Day into a public holiday celebrating German industriousness and the Nazi Party, using it as a platform to demonstrate support for their regime and to suppress socialist and labor movements.

What was the role of the German Labor Front (DAF) in the Nazi regime?

The DAF replaced independent trade unions and was used to regulate the German workforce, suppress worker protections, and provide members with various programs to promote the illusion of improved conditions under Nazi rule.

How did the Nazis control the narrative and public opinion in Germany?

The Nazis controlled the narrative through censorship, direct ownership of media outlets, and the introduction of propaganda into entertainment and news, ensuring that the population was fed a constant stream of party-approved information.

What event led to the execution of Ernst Röhm and the reduction of SA's influence?

The Night of the Long Knives on June 30, 1934, led to the execution of Ernst Röhm and many SA leaders, significantly reducing the SA's influence and solidifying the SS's position as the primary paramilitary force loyal to Hitler.