The document discusses how the Nazis controlled Germany from 1933 to 1945. It describes several methods: 1) The Gestapo spied on citizens and created fear by arresting people, often torturing or killing them. Germans lived in fear of being arrested. 2) The SS started as Hitler's bodyguards but grew more powerful over time. They were involved in street fights targeting Jewish people and arrested political opponents. They controlled the concentration camps. 3) The Nazis used pervasive propaganda including controlling radio, films, newspapers, and massive rallies to portray themselves positively and spread anti-Semitism. This propaganda aimed to convince Germans that everyone supported the Nazi party.

1. National 5 History: Hitler & Nazi
Germany
How did the Nazi’s control Germany?

2. Today’s lesson – Nazi control of Germany
We are developing our knowledge and understanding of
how the Nazi’s controlled the people of Germany
By the end of today’s lesson I should be able to:
1) Describe the use of fear to control people in Nazi Germany.
2) Describe the Nazi’s use of propaganda to maintain public
support.
3) Describe other methods the Nazis used to gain public support.
Today’s lesson involves:
Note taking
BBC Bitesize task

3. The Nazi Government
From 1933-1945, the Nazis held control of
Germany. They achieved this through various
methods including fear and propaganda.
The Nazis started their rule of Germany by
banning political groups that might have
opposed them – using the Reichstag Fire
Decree and the Enabling Act.
By the end of 1933, 150,000 political
opponents had been imprisoned.

4. Task 1
Copy the following mind-map in a new double page in your jotter.
Nazi control of
Germany
Gestapo
Propaganda
Concentration
Camps
The SS

5. The Gestapo
The Gestapo were the Nazis’ secret police force.
They would spy on people often dressing up in
ordinary clothes. The Gestapo also relied on
members of the public informing people of what
they knew.
Germans lived in fear of being arrested by the
Gestapo, who would often 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 criticized
Hitler

6. The SS
The SS was the elite military force of Nazi
Germany and were known for their extreme
violence.
The organization started out as Hitler’s
bodyguards, but gradually increased their role
and influence.
The SS also continued to provide protection to
Hitler and other senior Nazis.
The SS had a role in many aspects of German
society under Hitler’s rule. They were sometimes
used to arrest political opponents.
The SS – when undercover- would get involved
in street fights where they would target Jewish
people.

7. Concentration Camps
The SS were in charge of the 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. This included jewish people and
LGBT+ people – which led to the Holocaust.
Conditions in the camps were known to be awful
as some people were subject to torture, and living
conditions were very basic.
Germans lived in fear of being sent there, so
limiting any anti-Nazi views.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=449ZOWbUkf
0

9. Propaganda
The Nazis tried to build an image where everyone
in Germany supported the Nazis. This would stop
anyone speaking out against the Government.
Radio
The Nazis controlled radio and ensured that the
broadcasts only featured Hitler, featuring hours of
his speeches. A scheme known as the ‘People’s
receiver’ ensured that 70% of German homes had
a radio.

10. Propaganda
Cinema
The Nazis were also in charge of cinemas. Pro-Nazi
adverts were played before films and any movies
shown in Germany had to be approved by the party.
Many films portrayed the Nazis in a positive light or
Jewish people or other undesirable groups in a
negative light.
Mass Rallies
Hitler held massive rallies in places such as
Nuremberg suggested that the Nazis had huge
support as well as intimidating people through the
common use of military uniforms.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bgb4XOjWkXc

11. Propaganda
Newspapers
The Nazi Government owned newspapers such as
Das Reich and Der Sturmer. The Reichstag fire
decree also allowed them to censor and shut
down other newspapers.
Posters
Posters were also displayed all around Germany,
portraying Hitler as the country’s savior. The
posters were also used to attack minority groups
and build support for Nazi attacks on outsiders.

12. National 5 Questions
1) Describe the actions of the SS during the period of the Nazi
Government 1933-1945 – 4 marks.
2) Explain how the Nazi’s used propaganda to keep their control in
Germany between 1933-1945 – 6 marks.