Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany

Nazi Germany, officially called the German Reich and later the Greater German Reich, was the German state from 1933 to 1945. During this time, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party controlled the country, making it a strict and unfair government. The Nazis called this period the Third Reich, meaning "Third Realm" or "Third Empire." They said it was the successor to the Holy Roman Empire and the German Empire. It ended in May 1945 when the Allies defeated Germany and entered Berlin, ending World War II in Europe.

After Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933, the Nazi Party removed anyone who opposed them and took complete control. They created jobs by building motorways and spending money on the military. Hitler made strong demands for more land, taking over Austria and parts of Czechoslovakia before invading Poland in 1939, which started World War II in Europe. Germany, together with Fascist Italy and other Axis powers, took control of much of Europe but eventually lost the war.

Racism and unfair ideas about different groups of people were important to the Nazis. They treated certain groups badly, taking away their rights and chances. The government controlled information, art, and education, focusing on strict ideas about race and preparing people for military service. After Germany invaded the Soviet Union in 1941, the war became harder, and by 1945, the Allies had defeated Germany. The remaining Nazi leaders were tried for their actions at the Nuremberg trials.

Name

People often call the German state from 1933 to 1945 "Nazi Germany" or the "Third Reich". The Nazis themselves called it the "Thousand-Year Reich". This name comes from a book written in 1923. The book described earlier German kingdoms as the first two Reiches.

Background

Further information: Adolf Hitler's rise to power

After World War I ended, Germany had many difficulties. The country needed to pay a lot of money because of the Treaty of Versailles, making life very hard. The money lost its value, prices rose quickly, and people struggled to buy food.

The Nazi Party began in 1920. They wanted to change Germany greatly. They believed Germany needed a strong leader and promised to create jobs and bring order. When the economy became even worse after a major problem in the United States in 1929, many people lost their jobs. Some people felt the Nazi Party might be able to solve these issues. By 1932, the Nazi Party had grown to become one of the largest groups in Germany.

History

Further information: History of Germany

Nazi seizure of power

Main article: Adolf Hitler's rise to power § Seizure of control (1931–1933)

In 1932, Adolf Hitler’s Nazi Party won many votes but did not have enough to lead the government alone. Hitler insisted on being the leader if he joined a government. Under pressure, President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. This event is called the “seizure of power.”

After a fire in the Reichstag building on February 27, 1933, Hitler said it was the start of a big problem. New laws passed, taking away many rights like the right to meet and speak freely. Police could arrest people without charges. Many people who opposed the Nazis were arrested.

In March 1933, a new law passed that let Hitler and his government make laws without approval. This law helped the Nazis take full control. Over time, other political parties were banned, and only the Nazi Party was allowed. All groups had to follow Nazi rules or face closing down. The economy was struggling, but new jobs were created through public work projects.

Consolidation of power

Main article: Gleichschaltung

Hitler used secret police to remove leaders who opposed him. In 1934, after President Hindenburg died, Hitler became both leader and head of government. Most Germans wanted peace and stability after years of fighting, and many believed Nazi promises.

The Nazis took control of many parts of life, including schools and workplaces. They changed flags and songs to match Nazi ideas. The government focused on creating jobs and improving the economy.

Military build-up

See also: International relations (1919–1939), Remilitarization of the Rhineland, and German involvement in the Spanish Civil War

Hitler began building up Germany’s military in secret, even though it broke international agreements. Germany left international groups that did not allow rearmament. Hitler made plans to expand Germany’s territory for more resources.

Germany took back areas like the Saarland and sent troops to places like the Rhineland. Germany supported groups fighting in Spain and made agreements with other countries like Italy and Japan.

Austria and Czechoslovakia

Main articles: Anschluss and German occupation of Czechoslovakia

Further information: Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia

In 1938, Germany took control of Austria after threatening invasion. Later, Germany took parts of Czechoslovakia after agreements that seemed to bring peace but led to more control.

Poland

In 1939, Germany demanded areas from Poland. When Poland refused, Germany invaded, starting World War II. Germany also made an agreement with the Soviet Union to divide Poland.

World War II

(Top) Animated map showing the sequence of events in Europe throughout World War II
(Bottom) Germany and its allies at the height of Axis success, 1942

Foreign policy

Further information: Diplomatic history of World War II § Germany

Germany worked with countries like Italy and Hungary to get soldiers and resources. They took control of places like France and Italy over time.

Outbreak of war

Germany invaded Poland and captured the Free City of Danzig on September 1, 1939, beginning World War II in Europe. Britain and France declared war on Germany two days later. Poland fell quickly, as the Soviet Union attacked from the east on September 17.

Conquest of Europe

Germany quickly conquered countries like the Netherlands, Belgium, and France in 1940. They took many resources and forced local industries to work for Germany.

Invasion of the Soviet Union

Main article: Operation Barbarossa

In June 1941, Germany invaded the Soviet Union, breaking a previous agreement. The attack was large and aimed to take resources and expand German power.

Turning point and collapse

See also: Flensburg Government, and German Instrument of Surrender

Losses increased for Germany after battles like Stalingrad. Allied forces pushed back, and by 1944, they were closing in on Germany. In April 1945, as Soviet forces approached Berlin, Hitler and his wife committed suicide. Germany surrendered unconditionally on May 8, 1945, ending World War II in Europe.

German casualties

Main article: German casualties in World War II

Further information: World War II casualties

Many people faced hard times as the war ended.

Geography

Territorial changes

Main article: Areas annexed by Nazi Germany

See also: Territorial evolution of Germany and Administrative divisions of Nazi Germany

After a big war called World War I, Germany had to give up some lands. Places like Alsace-Lorraine and Northern Schleswig went to other countries. Later, Germany took back some areas and added new ones, like Austria in 1938.

From 1939 to 1941, Germany took over many countries. These included Poland, Denmark, Norway, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, Yugoslavia, Greece, and the Soviet Union.

Occupied territories

Main article: German-occupied Europe

Some lands that Germany took over were added directly to its country. Other areas were controlled by special German leaders. Places like parts of Belgium and France were managed by military leaders. Germany also took control of parts of Poland and set up governments in countries like Denmark and the Netherlands. The goal was to make a big empire called the Greater Germanic Reich.

Politics

Ideology

Main article: Nazism

The Nazi Party was a far-right group that grew during hard times after World War I. At first, they were small, but after the Great Depression, they became very popular. While in prison, Adolf Hitler wrote a book called Mein Kampf, where he shared his ideas about changing German society.

The Nazis wanted to take over new lands for German people. They believed some groups, like Jews, were not as good as Germans and should be treated unfairly. They also did not like modern art and focused on building a strong military.

Government

Main article: Government of Nazi Germany

Hitler ruled Germany with strict control, expecting everyone to obey him. He did not believe in elections and instead picked people to lead. He used powerful speeches to gain support from the public. Hitler gave different orders to his leaders, which helped him stay in control.

The way Germany was governed changed, with new leaders taking over old government areas. This created a messy system where many groups had overlapping powers.

Law

Main article: Law in Nazi Germany

In 1934, people working for the government and in the military had to promise to obey Hitler completely. This made Hitler’s word the highest law. Courts continued to handle regular crimes but gave out harsher punishments.

A special court called the Volksgerichtshof was created to handle political cases. It gave very harsh sentences for actions against the Nazi government.

The Nazis made strict laws about race, called the Nuremberg Laws, which took away rights from Jews and others. These laws stopped marriages and relationships between different groups and took away citizenship from many people.

Military and paramilitary

Wehrmacht

Main article: Wehrmacht

See also: Myth of the clean Wehrmacht

The armed forces of Germany from 1935 to 1945 were called the Wehrmacht. This included the Heer (army), Kriegsmarine (navy), and the Luftwaffe (air force). In 1934, soldiers had to promise to follow Adolf Hitler's orders. They used a fast attack plan called Blitzkrieg, which meant quick strikes to win battles. At first, they won many battles, but later they lost, especially after attacking the Soviet Union. Many soldiers did not survive the war.

SA and SS

Main articles: Sturmabteilung and Schutzstaffel

The Sturmabteilung (SA) was an early group that protected Nazi leaders. It grew very large but was reduced after Hitler ordered some of its leaders to be removed in 1934.

The Schutzstaffel (SS) started as a small guard group but became very powerful. Led by Heinrich Himmler, it grew to include many people. The SS was involved in harmful actions against Jews and others. Some parts of the SS also fought as soldiers during the war. The SS controlled many businesses and properties.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Nazi Germany

When the Nazi leaders came to power in 1933, many people in Germany did not have jobs. Their leader, Adolf Hitler, wanted to change this. They created new jobs by building things like roads and airplanes. They also made plans for a car that everyone could afford, called the KdF-wagen.

During World War II, Germany needed more workers for their factories and farms. They brought people from other countries to work there. This caused many problems for those people and for Germany’s economy. Bombings made it hard to produce things like fuel and weapons.

Racial policy and eugenics

Main articles: Racial policy of Nazi Germany and Nazi eugenics

The Nazi government believed some people were better than others. They thought some races were more powerful than others. This made them treat many groups unfairly.

Jews, Romani people (also called Gypsies), and others were treated very badly. They could not do many jobs, and many had to leave their homes. Some were sent to special camps where they were not treated well.

The Nazis also tried to control who could have families and children. They wanted people to fit their ideas of "perfect" people. This hurt many families.

Society

Education

Further information: University education in Nazi Germany

In 1933, new laws stopped Jewish teachers, professors, and officials from working in schools. Most teachers had to join a special group and promise to support Hitler. Those who did not follow the rules were dismissed. With fewer teachers, classes became larger.

Schools taught subjects like biology, geography, and math, but with a focus on race. Physical education included military training, and students watched government-made films.

At universities, many professors kept teaching as before, especially in areas with many Catholic people. Fewer students went to university, but medical schools had more students because Jewish doctors could not work.

Role of women and family

Main article: Women in Nazi Germany

The Nazis had specific plans for women. They did not support women's rights, saying these ideas came from Jewish thinkers. Instead, they wanted women to focus on being wives, mothers, and homemakers. Women's groups were closed or made to follow Nazi rules that promoted motherhood and housework. Women who spoke against these ideas had to leave the country.

Women were encouraged to have many children. Those who had four or more children received awards, and large families got money to help with costs. Even so, the number of families with four or more children decreased.

Women were expected to leave jobs to let men work, but many still worked as servants or in factories. During the war, many women were needed to help, so they worked on farms and in factories.

Girls were taught to be healthy and strong. From age ten, girls joined groups that taught them Nazi ideas and physical activities.

Health

Nazi Germany cared about health in some ways. They tried to stop people from smoking and limited harmful substances like asbestos. They cleaned up water and removed dangerous metals from products.

However, Jewish people were not allowed to use health insurance or see doctors. Some doctors did harmful experiments on people in camps.

Environmentalism

Further information: Animal welfare in Nazi Germany

Many people in Nazi Germany liked animals and nature. Laws were made to protect animals and forests. Rules were created to keep the air clean, though enforcement stopped during the war.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Nazi Germany

When the Nazis took power, most people in Germany were Protestant or Catholic. The Nazis tried to control Protestant churches by creating a single church led by someone they chose. Some Protestant leaders opposed this and were arrested.

Catholic leaders also opposed the Nazis. The government closed Catholic schools and institutions, arrested priests, and spied on churches. Many Catholic leaders were sent to camps. The Nazis wanted to replace Christian ideas with their own.

Culture

See also: Nazi propaganda

The Nazi leaders wanted Germans to feel united. They encouraged fun activities like trips and concerts to bring people together. They took control of many clubs and groups to organize events.

The government controlled newspapers, radio, and art. Only certain stories and music were allowed. Many writers and artists could not work if they did not agree with the government. Books and plays needed approval before they could be shared. Radio became very popular in homes.

Censorship

See also: List of authors banned in Nazi Germany

The government controlled newspapers and magazines. By 1939, most were owned by the government or told what to write. This made fewer people interested in reading them, so many turned to radio.

Many writers left Germany because they did not agree with the government. Some stayed but could only write about German history and traditions. Thousands of books were banned and burned in public events.

Architecture and art

Main articles: Nazi architecture and Art in Nazi Germany

See also: Music in Nazi Germany

Hitler liked buildings and worked with architects to design large structures. He wanted huge buildings in Berlin, but these were never built.

The government did not like modern or abstract art. They removed many paintings and sculptures from museums and showed them in exhibitions called “Decadence in Art.” The government liked music based on German stories and traditions. They did not like jazz or modern music.

Film

Main article: Nazism and cinema

Movies were very popular, and many people watched them. The government took control of most film companies and made sure the movies followed their ideas. Even non-political movies had messages that agreed with the government.

Two famous movies made by Leni Riefenstahl showed big Nazi events. These movies used new camera tricks but also spread Nazi ideas.

Legacy

Main article: Consequences of Nazism

See also: Denazification

After World War II, leaders of Nazi Germany were tried for their actions. These trials, called the Nuremberg trials, happened from 1945 to 1946. Many important Nazi leaders were found guilty and some were punished.

The actions of Nazi Germany caused a lot of suffering and led to World War II. Germany and much of Europe were damaged and poor. Today, most people think the Nazi government was very wrong. Showing Nazi symbols is against the law in Germany and Austria.

After the war, Germany was split into three parts. Over time, Germans have worked to learn about their past. Studying this difficult time has helped Germany become a strong democracy.