Adolf Hitler used several methods of totalitarianism as chancellor in order to maintain his rule and power.
Hitler's control over education is one example of his totalitarianist view. Most people say that "youth are the future.", well Hitler took that in his own hands. By teaching the youth Nazi veiws, Hitler guarrented a future for Nazi Germany. The students that Hitler was teaching were around ages 16-17, which meant that whenever World War Two came around, they would be the main fighting force for Germany. (Notes) This education of the youth was a way for Hitler and his nazi party to gurantee success for themselves in the future.
Another way that Hitler used totalittarianism was through propaganda. Now Hitler didnt actually do this himself, his Prime Minister of Proaganda, Goebebls, used propaganda to recruit new members to the nazi party, to keep anti-semitism alive( such as the night of broken class- that was Goebebls doing). This along with the censorship that the government put on the press, allowed the government to control what theyre people believed.
One of the better known uses of Totalitarinasm was the concentration camps used by the nazis as holding cells for prisoners. If their was any chance of opposition to the Nazi regime, that opposition would get thrown into camps where they would more than likely die. These camps were not only effective as containment for those who did not agree with the Nazi’s but because of the fear of going to one of the camps, they also worked as a deterrent for those who would have otherwise tried to undermine the government. These harsh camps also became a place to send Jewish people when they were found in the country during the enactment of the “Final Solution” which called for the extermination of all those of Jewish descent.
All these examples show how Germany came to be ruled with an iron fist by a totalitarian leader who they themselves put into power.
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I agree that Hitler used several totalitarian methods to maintain his power. Education is a key means by which single-party states convince the people of their ideals. Concentration camps are another method of totalitarian governments to control the opposition. But most of the people of Germany were not being oppressed under totalitarian control. While Jews, disabled people, and some other groups were systematically excluded from German society, those that were considered "citizens" not only lived freely, but were quite happy under Nazi rule. They had jobs and money for food, and their pride was restored because of Nazi propaganda. So yes, Hitler was highly totalitarian in some ways, towards some groups, such as his opposition, Jews, and disabled people, but the rest of society went along with it, quietly and happily.
ReplyDeleteThese were very good examples of how Hitler used totalitarianism to gain and maintatin his power. Hitler knew he had to direct his focus toward a certain group (16-17) but with the rest of the citizens content with just having food to eat they happily went along with his ways. So yes Hitler used totalitarian tactics but his rule was a Dictatorship by Concent. The people went along with it and most even joined in in his fight for power. But in the beginning Hitler did not use totalitarian tactics he simply worked for his power eventually using his totalitarian tactics to gain and maintain his power by "mindwashing" the citizens and uniting them against a common scapegoat, the Jews. So although there are reasons for saying Hitler used totalitarianism he was both totalitarian and a dictatorship by consent.
ReplyDeleteAn interesting note, from some research I did outside of class, it wasn't just 16-17 year olds that were targetted, but those as young as 6. These people were basically brainwashed from a young age, but even those older were willing to go along with Hitler. These are the stranger cases, however, as they were in a position where they were free to argue or disagree with Hitler, yet they did not. At first this was probably a safety concern, but later on I believe he actually won them over to the point where they were willing to turn each other in and try to kiss up to the new regime. He was coming through for them in many aspects, and I don't really think totalitarianism was needed after the start of his reign. Certainly helps that no one can speak out against you, but with the incredible amount of support his followers demonstrated, I don't think he would have had trouble winning elections.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Manal on this post.
ReplyDeleteEducation was a very powerful means to guarantee the continuation of Nazism into another generation. It also is a way to ensure that no nonconforming idealism are planted in the youth of the nation. The Hitler youth was a well disguised totalitarian method, because it does not appear extreme.
Censorship was a way for Jewish influence to be reduced in German culture. Like Manal said, the majority of Germany did not feel oppressed by this kind of method. In fact, the people thrived on the chances to punish and rat out the Jewish scapegoats of the country. Hitler's use of Jewish people to place blame after the war could not have succeeded if there were not already ill feelings toward the Jews.
I think that even though it appeared that these methods were totalitarian, they were really just practices put in place and helped by a consenting public under the dictator Hitler.