Although the people anticipated Hitler’s legal rise to Chancellorship and Presidency, they were not prepared for the tactics he had in mind that would help him maintain power. Yes, they were well aware of his perception of Jews, his extreme nationalism, and his lack of details; however, no one knew that the lack of details Hitler failed to provide would entail extreme peer pressure in years to follow in Germany. For this reason, Hitler definitely uses totalitarianism to maintain his regime.
Totalitarianism, a form of government in which the ruler is an absolute dictator that is not restricted by anything, gradually began to become evident in 1933 after Hitler gained power beginning with the propaganda endorsed in Germany. Because Jews were the scapegoat for German problems, it was a priority on the Nazi’s agenda to rid Germany of Jewish broadcasting, newspaper, and books probably for two reasons: one, the Nazis simply did not want Jews holding any jobs in general and two, because books and news have great impacts, they did not want Jews having any influence on German people. This shows that totalitarianism is used to maintain Hitler’s regime because Hitler is relaying the message that if it something does not fit his ideology for Germany it will not be tolerated.
Along with Hitler’s Chancellorship, Presidency, and role as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces screaming “totalitarianism”, the fact that Hitler was surrounded by acolytes (or ambitious Germans) that closely listened to his visions and ensured that they would come true doomed Germany for totalitarian rule. This is the case because since Hitler had no higher authority, he was going to carry out his plans for Germany regardless, but the acolytes helped speed up his visions in detail, which made Hitler’s absolute dictatorship visible. One aspect of Hitler’s vision was to carry out the Nuremburg laws, which stripped Jews of their property, wealth, jobs, and citizenship. Once again, this reiterated to Jews, as well as German citizens as a whole that Hitler would not tolerate whatever opposed his likings. Disregarding the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler’s economic priority was to rearm the army and increase the budget; as well as demilitarize the Rhineland. This displays totalitarianism because the people simply thought their country was regaining respect; they were pleased with the stable work and money flow and mesmerize by the order finally established in Germany. Therefore, when the Storm Troopers took revenge on Jews because of the assassination of one German man, killing 800 Jews and destroying 1000 cynogauds and totalitarianism was obvious, no one spoke out because Hitler established early on that any opposition was not tolerated.
I have to agree with you partially. However, Hitler did use other methods. Remember the Gestapo? They were such a small force. It turned out that the neighbors were the ones that told the Gestapo who was bad. That method relied on the German citizens to do the job on their own, not without being forced to. The citizens were willing to help, which shows that not all methods were totalitarian.
ReplyDeleteOn your last statement, I have to wonder how many didn't support the Nazis. Afterall, some threw stones into stores after Kristallnacht.