Hitler and Nazi Germany - the nazi government

1. Hitler and Nazi Germany
Government
in Nazi
Germany

2. In today’s class, I am learning to:
• Describe the organisation of the Nazi
government
The Nazi Government

3. Adolf Hitler took power in Germany in January 1933,
and he maintained control of the country until his
death in April 1945.
The Nazi Government

4. The Nazi Government
When Hitler first became
Chancellor of Germany he
was the head of a coalition
government, meaning he
had to rely on other people.
Hitler persuaded President
Hindenburg to call early
elections in the hope that
the Nazis would win a
majority.

5. The Nazi Government
The Nazis increased their
votes in the March 1933
elections (to 44%) but they
still fell short of a majority.
Hitler then persuaded – and
intimidated – members of
the Reichstag to support the
introduction of the Enabling
Act, giving him the power to
pass laws without approval.

6. The Nazi Government
Hitler used the Enabling Act
to pass laws, including
banning other political
parties and also trade
unions.
He also made use of the
Reichstag Fire Decree to
arrest political opponents,
and ban newspapers that
criticised him.

7. The Nazi Government
After the death of
President Hindenburg in
August 1934, Hitler
merged the offices of
Chancellor and President.
As Fuhrer of Germany,
Hitler was in total
command, even taking a
personal oath of loyalty
from the German Army.

8. The Nazi Government
Hitler could not run all
aspects of Germany, so he
appointed different men to
carry out various jobs.
Heinrich Himmler was the
head of the SS, and he was
also in charge of all German
police forces. Himmler
oversaw the running of
concentration camps.

9. The Nazi Government
Joseph Goebbels became
Minister of Propaganda,
making him in charge of
information in Germany.
Goebbels used various
methods, including posters,
radio broadcasts, cinema
adverts and mass rallies
(such as at Nuremburg).

10. The Nazi Government
Hermann Goering was put
in charge of the Office of
the Four Year Plan.
This department – set up
in 1936 – had power over
all others and aimed to get
Germany ready for war
within four years.
Goering was also in charge
of Germany’s air force.

11. The Nazi Government
During his rule, Hitler made
use of referenda (elections
about a single issue) to
suggest public support for
his policies.
Hitler held special elections
on issues such as the
merging the jobs of
Chancellor and President,
and also joining Germany
with Austria.

12. The Nazi Government
Hitler wanted full control of
Germany. He abolished all
Lander (state) governments
in Germany.
Instead of elected
governors, he appointed
Gauleiters to run each
different part of Germany,
following his rules and
targets.