IGCSE REVISION - GERMANY: NAZI METHODS OF CONTROL

1. DEPTH STUDY
REVISION GERMANY
NAZI METHODS
OF CONTROL
07

2. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
INTRODUCTION
• The Nazis used many methods to control the German people –
from persuasion to violence.

3. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
THE NAZIS USED PROPAGANDA
• Propaganda means spreading particular ideas and points of view to
try and control how people think. Nazi propaganda blamed the Jews
and communists for most of Germany’s problems.
• The Nazis took over the media. They controlled radio broadcasts and
also used films and posters to spread their messages.
• The Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda (founded in
1933) was led by Dr Joseph Goebbels.
• All artists, writers, journalists and musicians had to register to get their
work approved.
• The Nazis organised huge rallies of party members to present an
image of power and popularity. They also used the 1936 Berlin
Olympics as an opportunity for international publicity.

4. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
THE NAZIS USED CENSORSHIP
• The Nazis censored books, newspapers and other materials.
• Those who published anti-Nazi material risked execution.
• The Nazis used censorship to encourage nationalism and anti-
Semitism (hatred of Jews).
• They praised patriotic German composers such as Wagner but
banned the work of Jewish composers such as Mendelssohn.

5. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
GERMANY BECAME A POLICE STATE
• The SS (Schutzstaffel) began as a bodyguard for Hitler. It expanded
massively under the leadership of Himmler during the 1930’s.
• Its members were totally loyal to Hitler, and were feared for their
cruelty. Himmler was also in charge of the secret police – the
Gestapo.
• After 1933 concentration camps spread across Germany and its
territories to hold political prisoners and anybody else considered
dangerous to the Nazis.
• Some of these were later turned into death camps.
• Local wardens were employed to make sure Germans were loyal to
the Nazis. People were encouraged to report disloyalty. Many were
arrested by the Gestapo as a result.

6. CAMBRIDGE IGCSE – DEPTH STUDY: GERMANY – MR. D
THE NAZIS SAW THE CHURCH AS A THREAT
• Many Nazis were against Christianity – its teaching of peace was
seen as incompatible with Nazi ideas. The Nazis didn’t want to risk
an immediate attack on it. Hitler signed and agreement with the
Catholic Church in 1933.
• Each side promised not to interfere with the other. The Nazis did try
to curb the influence of the church – and there were some Catholic
protests against Nazi policies.
• Hitler tried to unite the different Protestant churches into one Reich
Church. He placed the Nazi Bishop Ludwig Muller at its head.
• Some church members split off in protest at this state interference.
They formed the Confessing Church.
• Many clergy who stood up to the Nazi regime were sent to
concentration camps.