Nazi Germany

Adolf Hitler used every layer of society in order to gain complete control over the German people. The most important examples of these are his use of the Laws and Justice System, Propaganda and mass rallies, and influence over the younger generations. Hitler used Laws and the Justice system of Germany in several instances to gain and maintain control over the lives of the German people. One of the most notable instances of this would be the Nuremburg Laws in 1935, which began the practices of anti-Semitism in Germany. This blatant discrimination granted a feeling of superiority and unity to the German people, and helped bring back a long-missed sense of national pride. The ‘Decree of the Reich’s President for protection of People and State’ is another example of a Law that Hitler used to dictate the Germans. This took away many of the personal liberties of the people, restricting them from free expression of opinion. Also, Hitler used the ‘Law against New Establishment of Parties’ in July of 1933, which established the Nazi party as the only political party in Germany, and making it illegal to form a new political party. This effectively eliminated any legal competition for his control over the country. Furthermore, Hitler used the Justice system to maintain control over the lives of his people, by disallowing Judges from having the right to scrutinize any decisions made by the Fuhrer. These are only a few of the examples of Hitler’s power over the people. Hitler also constantly relied on the use of Propaganda to manipulate and control the German population, going so far as to appoint a Minister for Propaganda and Public Enlightenment. He controlled all aspects of the media, such as art, motion pictures, sporting events, national holidays, radio broadcasts, newspaper, music, museums, tourism, the postal service, libraries, and even the national anthem. By doing so, Hitler effectively brainwashed the people into believing his message. Hitler also made use of censorship, blocking off any outside news or information and forcing people to listen. Also, Hitler frequently put on Mass Rallies, where he would use his charisma to evoke the public’s emotions and make them believe everything that he would say. These mass rallies succeeded in creating a mob mentality where, even if you didn’t agree with what he was saying by principal, you would be swept up in the powerful emotion. Hitler’s usage of propaganda and mass rallies were major assets to his goal of controlling the German people. The corruption of German youth also played a key factor in Hitler’s control of Germany. Hitler had the school curriculum changed and history re-

written by government officials. All the lecture books were censored, and the textbook for History was Hitler’s own ‘Mein Kampf’. Children were forced to say a prayer to the Fuhrer before meals. This served to create a younger generation that was practically religiously devoted to their beloved leader, and unknowing of any type of alternative. Hitler also created the “Hitler Youth”, which swore the loyalty of teenagers to the Fuhrer by way of making them feel accepted and equal, being part of something bigger. His hope for these things were to create a new generation of storm troopers, indoctrinated to be wholeheartedly devoted to Hitler, and it was quite successful in doing so.