Ben Anwar

Assess the view that the most important element in maintaining Hitlers regime in power between
1933 and 1945 was the consent of the German people.
1

Between 1933 and 1945, the Nazis were able to rule Germany with limited opposition. Historians
have debated the reasons as to why the Nazis could maintain power with such success. To say
consent was the reason would be specious as it suggests the German people voluntarily supported
the regime. Although this was true for a minority, the vast majority of the population had no choice
but to support the regime due to the lack of alternatives. This view is supported by Interpretation B,
which suggests the people supported the Nazis because of fear of repercussions if they defied them.
The Nazis forcefully silenced any political opposition or civil resistance. This is shown in
Interpretation A which describes how civil rights were suspended and opposition from political
parties and religious circles were eliminated. This is also partially supported by Interpretation D.
While other factors may have been important in maintaining power, such as propaganda and
weaknesses of their opposition, terror and repression can be seen as the most important element as it
allowed the Nazis to rule unopposed. Interpretation D, while admitting the Nazis oppressed their
supposed enemies, goes against this view stating the majority of the population - including parts of
the targeted groups - didnt experience oppression as they supported the regime voluntarily. This is
supported by interpretation C, which suggests Hitlers charismatic leadership and the Hitler Myth
won support from millions. Overall, it will be argued that terror and repression can be seen as the
most important factor as without its use to silence opposition, which created widespread fear over
speaking out, the Nazis hold on the country would have been reduced.
Throughout their rule, the Nazis used a combination of terror and repression to eliminate
opposition. Interpretation B supports this, stating enemies of the regime faced brute force. and
torture. The Nazis suspended many civil rights such as freedom of individual speech and of the
press, shown in Interpretation A. This made it near-impossible for anyone to circulate anti-Nazi
ideas as the methods of doing so were censored. Also many were scared to tell of their views due to
fear of being reported to the Gestapo. This is shown by Robert Ericksen, who claims that the vast
majority of Gestapo action came... from denunciations by German civilians.informing on
neighbours who told jokes about Hitler or criticised him.2 This shows that terror helped maintain

1
2 Ericksen, Robert P. - Complicity in the Holocaust (Cambridge University Press, New York, 2012) Page 19Page word
count 418 Cumulative word count 418
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power by eliminating resistance by creating an environment where people were terrified to do

anything which could be construed as anti-Nazi.
Furthermore, the totalitarian methods used turned Germany into a one party state. Party leaders
were put into concentration camps and the Gestapo to shut down their offices. This meant if there
was domestic resistance, there would not have been suitable replacements to support. Interpretation
D shows this, stating how the Nazis eliminated the threat from the political left. This caused many
to join the party out of necessity; however this support was insincere. Interpretation B supports this,
claiming terror and repression led to false support due to the lack of alternatives. This view is
further supported by Ian Kershaw; he suggests plebiscite results cannot be taken as truthful as they
were the product of coercion and were not a true reflection of the state of opinion.3
On the other hand, not all historians agree terror and repression were essential in maintaining
power. David crew, for example, claims the common theories of the Gestapo are a myth originally
propagated by the Gestapo leaders. The myth was a convenient alibi to German civilians who
failed to engage in serious resistance. It suggests in reality the Gestapo was an ill-equipped police
which would have been blind if not for the flood of denunciationsby ordinary Germans.4
Interpretation D supports this, German civilian population played a large part in its own control.
However these denunciations are not consent as it later claims they were generated not by political
or ideological conviction but by anger, greed, hate and prejudice.
Nonetheless, this view this opposed by other sources, including Robert Gellately who suggests the
Gestapo were so strong they began correcting court decisions and decided what was gossip and
what was dissent and attributed a political dimension to ordinary crime.5 These quotes refute the
earlier claims, showing the Gestapo had almost unlimited power in society. This is supported by
interpretations A, B and partially D. This shows that terror and repression was the most important
factor in maintaining power as it allowed the Nazis to circumvent the law, allowing them to
consolidate power in Germany by eliminating opposition.
While the argument for consent has weaknesses, it has some strength. For example, Interpretation A
shows German people not merely suffered but supported this regime with vote after vote of
overwhelming confidence. This implies even with the use of illiberal methods; the German citizens
3 Kershaw, Ian - The Hitler Myth - Image and reality in the Third Reich (Oxford university Press,
New York, 1987) pg 258
4Crew, David F - Nazism and German Society 1933-1945 (Routledge, London, 1994) Pg 166
5 Gellately, Robert- Backing Hitler: Consent & Coercion in Nazi Germany (Oxford University Press, New York, 2001)
pg 43Page word count 414 Cumulative word count 832
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Ben Anwar
supported the Nazis. This is reinforced by interpretation D, most Germans remained loyal.
supported it voluntarily from the beginning to the end. This is reinforced by David Crew, who
suggests there were popular reactions to the massacre of the SA leadership and this event led to
Hitler being seen as the representative of popular justice..the upholder of public morality.6
This is supported by Robert Gellately who claims Concentration camps were reported in the press,
held up for praise, and proudly let it be known that the men and women were confined without
trial.7 This suggests that consent played an important role in the Nazis maintaining power as the
population supported the regime, despite being aware of its actions.
Not all historians agree with this, however. Jan Kamienski suggests that the full details of the
atrocities committed were kept from them. No one yet knew that a different kind of camp was
being established..and that this signaled the beginning of a mass murder on a scale never even
heard of before.8 This shows, while the public may have known the basics of the Nazi operations,
they were kept in the dark over the true details. Moreover, while they showed support after the
Night of the Long Knives, this was contributable to the widespread hatred of SA and its leaders
due to their forceful tactics and common image as thugs. This view is supported by Interpretation
C which suggests the population were frustrated with life due to the abuses of Hitlers lieutenants,
or Little Fuhrers'. Furthermore, Interpretation A supports C in stating part of the reason for the
consent was due to tactics used by the Nazis; therefore was not genuine. Interpretation A claims the
retarded development of political and civil freedom was the reason for consent. This suggests, the
repressive tactics enforced caused the widespread support. Also it claims that Germans had a long
tradition of obedience to authority and meekness before authority. This suggests that tradition and
civilians inability to confront authority helped maintain power.
However interpretation B goes against this stating those arguments for obedience to authority
should be looked on sceptically remembering the threat of the rubber truncheon. This suggests
that Interpretation B sees terror and repression as the most important reason for the Nazis
maintaining power as the fear of violence made people support the Nazis.

6 Kershaw, Ian - The Hitler Myth -Image and reality in the Third Reich (Oxford university Press,
New York, 1987) pg 253
7 Gellately, Robert - Backing Hitler: Consent & Coercion in Nazi Germany (Oxford University
Press, New York, 2001) pg 5
8 Kamienski, Jan - Hidden in the Enemies Sights (Dundurn Press, Tonawanda, 2008) pg 96Page word count 418
Cumulative word count 1250
3

Many historians argue, while a minority voluntarily supported Hitler, the majority supported out of
necessity. After the Nazis gained power they began removing civil rights, shown in Interpretation A.
They banned public meetings, the Gestapo to terrorised opposing party members and new laws
made other parties illegal. This is supported by interpretation B, no one even moderately familiar
with totalitarian methodswillconsider the 100% plebiscites...as genuine expressions of
support. This is reinforced by Richard Evans, claiming following the Reichstag fire over 100,000
Communists, Social Democrats, Trade Unionists and others had been arrested with 600 dying in
custody.9 These factors meant it would have been impossible to spread anti-Nazi ideas or organise
resistance as the methods of spreading information were cut off - such as public meetings,
newspapers and leaflets. Furthermore, the fear of punishment would deter people and rumours of
Gestapo informers would have made people paranoid. This environment would have made people
join the party not wanting to be seen as an enemy, so a lot of the consent was insincere. This shows
that consent is not the most important factor as the support was not genuine, but a byproduct of the
terror used by the Nazis. Supporting the regime seemed the only way to escape punishment. While
Interpretation D goes against this, its supported by interpretation B which claims that oppressive
methods used led to false support.
There are other factors which helped maintain power. An example is propaganda, and the Hitler
Myth it created. This is supported by Hitler, who was quoted; the chief function of propaganda is
to convince the masses. only constant repetition will finally succeed in imprinting an idea on their
mind.10 Interpretation C claims The Hitler Myth secured the loyalty of millionseven those who
opposed the Nazi movement. The Hitler Myth portrayed Hitler as a brilliant infallible leader who
was leading Germany to world power. It provided hope to those who were frustrated with everyday
life. Overall, the consent of the German people could not be the most important as much of the
support was not genuine but was brought on by other factors, mainly the terror and repression used,
but also propaganda - however to a much lesser extent.
The Nazis also used Nazified school curriculums and films to convince the masses. One of the
most effective was the film Triumph of the Will. This is because it not only won many domestic
supporters, but it also gained widespread acclaim abroad - including awards at the Paris Film
Festival. American correspondent William Shirer is quoted saying he is restoring pageantry and
colour and mysticism to the drab lives of twentieth-century Germans.11 Furthermore the Nazi
9 Evans, Richard J - The Third Reich in Power (Penguin Books, London, 2006) pg 11
10 Hitler, Adolf - Mein Kampf (CPA Book Publisher, Oregon, 1998) Chapter 7
11 Evans, Richard J - The Third Reich in Power (Penguin Books, London, 2006) pg 124Page word count 412
Cumulative word count 1662
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Ben Anwar
approved curriculums indoctrinated children to Nazi ideals and beliefs. This was done by children's
books such as The Poisonous Mushroom. The book showed Jews as poisonous mushrooms to be
taken out from the forest of life12. This would have created a generation with ingrained Nazi
beliefs.
On the other hand, some doubt the success of propaganda. David Crew claims it failed to win over
socialist/communistcatholic subcultures who had strong ideological counters tothe Hitler
Myth.13 This is partially supported by Interpretation A. This suggests some were unaffected by
propaganda due to existing beliefs. This is shown by the fact the Nazis never held a Reichstag
majority. In addition, the propaganda in schools had little impact on the Nazis maintaining power as
this was a long-term policy; however they were not in power long enough to see an effect. Also, as
previously shown, Hitler thought that propaganda was effective by constant repetition of the
message. In Nazi Germany, one of the reasons why propaganda was successful was that the Nazis
removed opposing parties; there were no conflicting messages from opponents. While propaganda
was important, terror and repression was more important as propaganda failed to gain support from
many people due to their strong beliefs, whereas terror forced them to support the regime by
eliminating those they supported or from fear of the consequences of appearing as an enemy.
In conclusion, the terror and repression used by the Nazis was the most important element in
maintaining power. It allowed them to effectively silence and remove any opposition or
undesirables, both civil and political. In addition it allowed the other, secondary, methods- such as
propaganda - to be as effective as possible, in this case by removing any conflicting messages and
censoring media. However it could be argued consent was the most important factor by looking at
the plebiscite results or the fact some went as far as denouncing neighbors and family to the
Gestapo. However, many acted out of self interest rather than political motives and also the majority
only appeared to consent out of fear of what would happen if they did not. This fear was a result of
the terror and repression used by the Nazis.14
Word Count: 1999

12 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQE9lvkyo0w (1:30)
13 Crew, David F - Nazism and German Society 1933-1945 (Routledge, London, 1994) Pg199
14 Crew, David F - Nazism and German Society 1933-1945 (Routledge, London, 1994) Pg 166Page word count 337
Cumulative word count 1999
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Bibliography
Books:
1. Crew, David F - Nazism and German Society 1933-1945 (Routledge, London, 1994)
2. Ericksen, Robert P. - Complicity in the Holocaust (Cambridge University Press, New York,
2012)
3. Evans, Richard J - The Third Reich in Power (Penguin Books, London, 2006)
4. Gellately, Robert - Backing Hitler: Consent and Coercion in Nazi Germany (Oxford
University Press, New York, 2001)
5. Hitler, Adolf - Mein Kampf (CPA Book Publisher, Oregon, 1998)
6. Kamienski, Jan - Hidden in the Enemies Sights (Dundurn Press, Tonawanda, 2008)
7. Kershaw, Ian - The Hitler Myth - Image and reality in the Third Reich (Oxford university
Press, New York, 1987)
8. Kershaw, Ian - The Nazi Dictatorship 4th Edition (Arnold, London, 2000)
9. Rees, Laurence - The Dark Charisma of Adolf Hitler (Ebury Press and BBC TV, 2012)
Websites:
1. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQE9lvkyo0w