Hitler used totalitarianism as a tactic to stay in and maintain power within the Nazi party and Germany.
As Hitler and the Nazi party gained almost complete control in Germany, Hitler took measures that he thought would keep him in power and insure that He would be able to take complete control of Germany and turn Germany into the communist superpower He wanted. Like Lenin, Hitler began to put all disbelievers and opposers to Him in concentration camps. These camps were a way for Hitler to quiet and get rid of all of the possible problems he could face with the state of power he was in. Hitler did not want any opposers that could possibly damage his chances at maintaing power. It is seen that if there are no opposers and no one to go against a political leader, that political leader can maintain complete control without interuptions. Also, because hitler abolished all disbelievers and those who were against him, there was no other possible leaders that could alter the German Citizens into finding another possible leader. Along with getting rid of the possible problems that could effect his political power, this threat caused those who were opposing to Hitler and the nazi rule to keep quiet and stay away from possible trouble that could come out of it.
An education system for German youth was set up for the children of Germany. In this education system, Hitler and the Nazi party was able to teach children at such a young age about the Nazi ideals. In doing this Hitler was able to keep the Nazi ideals alive in the next generation of Germany. Not only did Hitler have control over the people of Germany and have them all following the Nazi laws, He was able to dictate and control the future of Germany as well. This gives evidence to show that if Hitler could control even the youth of Germany, that every aspect of Germany was under his command. When a political leader is able to dictate, shape, and mold the future of a country the way Hitler was doing, then full totalitarianism was seen. As Hitler maintained full power, he was able to maintain power in the future through the next generation.
Propaganda played a large role in how Hitler maintained power through totalitarianism. Hitler was able to manipulate and control the news and what was posted. He was able to show that he could maintain control by controlling the views of what the people saw and heard on the news. Hitler created a negative image for the jews. He made the jews look like they were the cause of the negative outcome of World War I. It is seen here that Hitler was able to maintain complete power by going as far as controlling what the people heard and saw. By controlling what went on through the press, Hitler was able to control what the citizens of Germany believed. By putting what he wanted into the press, the people only saw what Hitler and the Nazi's wanted. This allowed Hitler to maintain power by having the views of the people of germany identical to his views.
Again, like Lenin, Hitler had his own secret police. The Gestapo, as they were called, was a secret police force used to inspect and find those who were against the Nazis and their rule. The Gestapo would find those who were against hitler and either investigate or send them to concentration camps. Hitler was now able to attain complete control by once again getting rid of those who were against him. With a secret police force going through a city of over a million people and taking out the ones that could cause problems for Hitler, Hitler was in main control over what went on through Germany. Any leader of a nation that could have their own police force to punish and hide those that were thought to be against that leader, showed great and total control. No one within that nation could speak out and change what they thought was a corrupt government. Also, people were too afraid to go up and speak out what they thought because of the actions Hitler took. Not only was it made impossible to speak out, but not one person would attempt to speak out. Hitler found himself in full control of Germany, with the willingness of the citizens or without the willingness of the citizens.
It is shown and valued that Hilter used several methods of totalitarianism to help him maintain his power in Germany. By useing concentration camps and the Gestapo as a threat to those who would possibly fight out against him, Hitler was able to keep himself and the Nazi party as the only leaders in Germany. Total power was given to him through these threats. Propaganda proved to be a way to maintain what the people thought and heard, therefore effecting what they would believe in. Nazi youth education showed power being maintained in the future as well, as the next generation of children were learning solely about the Nazi ideals and were taking in values from the Nazi perspective. At this time in Germany, Hitler was able to maintain full power in Germany.
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i forgot to say that all sources were from the video on Hitler and the Nazis and the notes taken in class
ReplyDeleteI agrre with almost everything you said. Hitler did use totalitarian methods and they did help him maintain power. However, I disagree with your statement, "Total power was given to him through these threats." I believe that the thing that gave Hilter the most power was his ability to be appealing to the people and every aspect of their lives. He was seen as the savior for the German people to get Germany back to its past granduer. Through his speeches and propaganda he spread this message. He began establishing short term solutions to the economic problem like the autobahn project and this made conditions better. He also held parties that only the pure germans could attend making his view of future for germany look appealing. He made himself look so appealing that his Nazi officials would make polices that they believed Hitler would like and reward them for it. They also would fight to be the ones to fulfill an order and go to extreme measures to do so. Even the public wanted rewards from him when they would denounce their neighbors. This complete devotion to him gave him the power that was behind his regime.
ReplyDeleteI agreed with pretty much everything you said, except that at the begining you said "He would be able to take complete control of Germany and turn Germany into the communist superpower He wanted." Hitler hated communists and they were some of the first people he put into concentration camps. Also, you had a lot of repetition in some parts of your essay, like in the 3rd paragraph you wrote "He was able to show that he could maintain control by controlling the views of what the people saw and heard on the news. Hitler created a negative image for the jews. He made the jews look like they were the cause of the negative outcome of World War I. It is seen here that Hitler was able to maintain complete power by going as far as controlling what the people heard and saw. By controlling what went on through the press, Hitler was able to control what the citizens of Germany believed. By putting what he wanted into the press, the people only saw what Hitler and the Nazi's wanted."
ReplyDeletehowever, your essay was very explicit and I knew right from the first sentence (your clear thesis) what your point of view is, which is good.
Also, I don't think you really included other perspectives on the issue which would have gotten you more points.
Other than that, good essay.
Though you state a clear opinion on the matter, you have several factual inaccuracies. The most blaring one simply cannot be ignored: Hitler was not communist. If anything, he was anything but. Communism falls left on the political spectrum, and although it is radical, it is the polar opposite of fascism, which is the type of government Hitler wanted.
ReplyDeleteI do not think you fully understand the demands of the question, which is, of course, something you'll need to have a better handle on for later essays. Totalitarianism is complete governmental control over the lives of its citizens, and while I agree with your understanding of his methods of control in education, propaganda, and the secret police, you do not give proper explanation as to how this is totalitarian, and not simply another method of seizing power. You state the evidence to support this, but to improve, it would be better to come right out and say it, if you know what I mean.
Also, does the fact that people were afraid to speak out against Hitler mean that there was no drive to support him? After all, look at all of the benefits Germany received upon his chancellorship, and future presidency. If the secret police and army were so bad, then why did the numbers continue to soar? Clearly, there was a level of support that is out of the umbrella of fear of which you speak. In other words, you state how people were so afraid, but do not consider the other opinion that the people supported him as much as he controlled them. More support = more control.