This page examines the organsation of Nazi government, considering how successful it was and limitations on its rule.

1. Nazi government:
polycratic, feudal,
chaotic

2. Looking back at Nazi Germany
it is easy to envisage a
government efficiently and
effectively controlled by one
man. Increasingly historians
dispute this.
Many suggest that in fact Nazi
Germany was disorganised,
being defined as polycratic,
feudal and chaotic.

3. Polycratic
A polycracy is a society or
government which has many
different leaders and
organisations in charge.
Although Hitler is clearly the
head of Nazi Germany, in fact
there were numerous ministers
and organisations with power,
often pursuing their own plans.

4. Policing is an obvious example.
Although Heinrich Himmler is
the head of the police, there were
eight organisations under his
control, each with different and at
times overlapping powers.
Economic plans had a similar
divide, being split between aims
to rebuild the economy, and those
focussed on war preparations.

5. Feudal
In medieval times, feudal
meant powerful individuals
having huge power over those
that they controlled.
Nazi Germany can be seen as
feudal as Hitler was its head,
and then different sections
were controlled by influential
ministers.

6. Thus organisations are less
important than their leader.
Hence Goebbels’ prominent
role in propaganda, Himmler’s
role in policing and so on.
It is argued that such a system
pleased Hitler as it created
rivalry between the different
leaders, stopping any possible
challenge to Hitler.

7. Chaotic
Many argue that Germany under
the Nazis was in fact hugely
chaotic.
The huge range of organisations
and powerful individuals meant
that it was not always clear who
was responsible. In fact all that
kept Germany together was the
Nazis’ charismatic leader.

8. The intricate nature of Nazi
government means some
historians debate the influences
which ultimately caused events.
Intentionalists argue that
Hitler’s actions were planned
from the outset. Structuralists
contend that a combination of
factors drove the country’s
development.

9. Until the Nazis’ defeat in World
War Two (and certainly until
1941), it is clear that Hitler’s
system of government –
planned or otherwise – was
very effective.
This may be due to all of the
different factors that have been
discussed as influencing Nazi
Germany’s governance.

10. Germans wanted an end to
instability and so gave their
backing to a strong leader.
Hitler’s powerful personal position
allowed him to consolidate power.
The sheer range of organisations
with influence ensured that no
rival could emerge, and the use of
fear stopped possible opposition
from emerging in Germany.

11. Historians’ views
• Stanley Payne: Some historians believe that Hitler was in
complete charge whilst think Nazi government was a
culmination of numerous influences.
• Ian Kershaw: Nazi Germany was chaotic, a combination of
numerous groups which each claimed to represent Hitler’s will,
leaving the Fuhrer powerful and answerable to no-one.
• Hugh Trevor-Roper: Nazi Germany was not totalitarian – it
was largely disorganised. Germany was a confusion of private
empires leaving Hitler untouched as its supreme leader.