2. Education = Power for Hitler

I wasn’t sure of the official numberings of our sources, so this is how they are referenced in my post:
1-Notes
4-Nazi Rule in Germany
Education is a key method used by single party states to gain the support of the people they rule. Thus the Nazi Party used education as a means of indoctrination (4). Through education, Hitler was able to convince the people to accept the Nazi Party’s ideals more readily than through ordinary propaganda alone.
Under Hitler’s rule, education was regulated by the Reich Ministry for Education and Science (4). Physical Education was stressed, as well as German literature (4). Physical education ensured a fit population, which contributed to Hitler’s aspiration of creating an elite race. A fit population also ensured that the people would be prepared and capable to fight if Germany engaged in war. As Hitler intended to restore Germany’s glory by capturing neighboring lands by force, Germany’s participation in war was inevitable. Hitler’s goal of a military-ready population was also supported by the creation of the Hitler Youth, which was focused heavily on military drills (4). German literature was taught in order to create a militaristic mentality among the people (4). Ultimately, education made it easier for Hitler to enact his militaristic policies with the support of the people.
Another subject stressed under Hitler’s rule was history (4). They say that winners get to write history. Likewise, because Hitler was in power, he was able to decide on what history he wanted taught. By controlling what was taught, he could write history as he saw fit. He no doubt emphasized the glory of Germany, the successes of the Nazi Party, and the failures of his opposition. He probably also exaggerated the negative aspects of the Jewish community in German culture in order to vilify them. All these things supported the platform on which the Nazi party stood. Further, they were accepted as more than propaganda and rather solid facts because they became a part of the youth’s upbringing and therefore the youth did not question them. By teaching the glory of Germany, Hitler instilled in the people a certainty of their own greatness, and in turn, a confidence in themselves to regain said greatness, so when he promised greatness through his policies, the people willingly followed him.
However, Hitler’s academic guidelines went against two of single-party states’ usual goals of education: improving literacy and modernizing the country, and training children in professions and occupations that are needed (1). Hitler used teaching as a means of propaganda to promote his ideals instead of to give the students a proper education. As a result, the educational standards of the period declined, especially at elite schools (4). Thus, the students grew up believing the dogmas of the Nazi party and lacking the proper skills for the workforce. Hitler inadvertently weakened Germany by placing too much importance in spreading propaganda and not enough in actively preparing Germany’s future workers.
Biology was also taught to promote the Nazi ideas of racial genetics and ethnic classification (4). Through these topics, the Nazis convinced the German people of their own racial superiority, as well as the racial inferiority of other groups, such as Jews, Romas, and Slavs. The people were taught to accept these theories as fact. This “science” also justified the expulsion and abuse of these groups because the people believed that they were inferior and therefore worthy of such treatment. They were also considered a threat to the purity of the German race, so that the German people actually assisted in the targeted groups’ exile. Thus education allowed the Nazis to carry out their plans to purify Germany’s population.
By controlling what Germans were taught at an impressionable age, Hitler managed to have an entire generation raised on his ideals. Since the people were taught the Nazi ways from an early age, they accepted what was said as truth and did not want or try to oppose Hitler. Since people were taught to revere the Nazi Party and doubt the opposition, education dually helped ensure the Nazis’ power. As a result, the youth that were educated under the Nazi regime grew up to pledge their loyalties to the Nazi Party and would fight to bring down the opposition. Through education, Hitler created an entire generation that believed in his ideals and would support him through his future endeavors.