The document outlines how Nazi Germany maintained control from 1933 to 1945 through fear tactics and propaganda. The Gestapo and SS played key roles in instilling fear, often resorting to violence, imprisonment, and running concentration camps that held various groups targeted by the Nazis. Additionally, the regime utilized propaganda to create an illusion of widespread support for Hitler, suppressing dissent and instilling anxiety about the repercussions of anti-Nazi sentiments.

1. Hitler and Nazi Germany
Nazi control
of Germany

2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Describe the use of fear to control
people in Nazi Germany
• Describe types of propaganda used by
the Nazis
Nazi control of Germany

3. From 1933 until 1945, the Nazis held control of
Germany. They achieved this through various
methods, including fear and propaganda.
Nazi control of Germany

4. Nazi control of Germany
The Nazis started their
rule of Germany by
banning groups (such as
political parties and trade
unions) that might have
opposed them.
By the end of 1933,
150,000 political
opponents had been
imprisoned.

5. Nazi control of Germany
The Gestapo
The Gestapo were the
Nazis’ secret police.
They would spy on people,
often dressing up in
ordinary clothes.
The Gestapo also relied on
denunciations (members of
the public informing on
people they knew).

6. Nazi control of Germany
Germans lived in fear of
being arrested by the
Gestapo, who might turn up
early in the morning to take
people away, often then
facing torture or death.
As Germans were not sure
who to trust, it made them
less likely to say anything
that criticised Hitler.

7. Nazi control of Germany
The SS
The SS were known for their
extreme violence.
The organisation started out
as Hitler’s bodyguards, but
gradually increased their
role and influence.
The SS also continued to be
used to provide protection
for Hitler and other Nazis.

8. Nazi control of Germany
The SS had a role in running
many aspects of German
society under Hitler’s rule.
They were sometimes used
to arrest political opponents,
including using violence
when doing so.
The SS – often undercover –
engaged in street fights,
including targeting Jews.

9. Nazi control of Germany
Concentration camps
The SS were also in charge
of concentration camps.
At first people were sent to
these prisons because they
politically opposed the
Nazis. However this soon
changed with people being
sent there for various
reasons.

10. Nazi control of Germany
Conditions in the
concentration camps were
known to be awful.
Some people were subject
to torture, and living
conditions (such as shelter
and food) were very basic.
Germans lived in fear of
being sent there, so limiting
any anti-Nazi views.

11. Nazi control of Germany
Eventually various other
people hated by the Nazis
– often called ‘Outsiders’ -
were sent to these camps.
This included Jews, Roma
(gypsies), asocials and gay
people.
During the war many of
these camps were the
scene of the Holocaust.

12. Nazi control of Germany
Propaganda
The Nazis also tried to build
an image of Germany where
everyone completely
supported the Nazis.
This would stop people
opposing Hitler and his party
because they would feel that
they were the only ones that
wanted to do so.

13. Nazi control of Germany
This included the Nazis
controlling German radio,
broadcasting hours of
Hitler’s speeches or
adverts in cinemas.
Other methods of
propaganda included
posters, controlling
newspapers and mass
public rallies (such as at
Nuremburg)

14. Nazi control of Germany
Other
Other methods could be
used to scare Germans too.
People’s Courts were courts
that were set up to try Nazi
opponents, often without
allowing any defence.
They did not follow German
law and gave quick verdicts,
including death sentences.

15. Nazi control of Germany
Germans also worried about
the impact of anti-Nazi
activity on their family or
employment.
Sometimes people seen as
being disloyal to Hitler were
fired from their jobs (such as
civil servants), or threats
would be made towards
members of their family.
A 1933 letter firing Viktor Stern (who
had a Jewish father) from his job as a
transport worker