Consolidation of Nazi Power

Nazi Germany: Legal Methods

• Despite garnering 37% of votes, Hitler never achieved a majority in elections
• President Hindenburg appointed Hitler as Chancellor
• The Reichstag Fire was exploited to invoke Article 48
  • Article 48 suspended civil rights and granted the secret police indefinite custodial powers
• The Enabling Act of 1933, passed through intimidation, empowered Hitler to legislate without parliamentary approval
• Germany was transformed into a totalitarian state, with the Nazi party controlling all institutions, and the military swearing allegiance to Hitler
• In 1934, the positions of Chancellor and President merged into the title of Führer
  • This was legitimized by a plebiscite, with 90% voting in favor
• Organizations were developed that everyone had to join

Nazi Germany: Use of Force

• Concentration camps, mass arrests, and suppression of dissent were implemented by organizations like the SS, Gestapo, and SA
• The Night of the Long Knives (1934) involved the elimination of SA leaders and perceived threats to consolidate power
• Coercion and intimidation created an environment of fear and compliance
• Concentration camps served as tools for extermination and forced labor, holding Jews and political prisoners

Nazi Germany: Dissemination of Propaganda

• Goebbels' Ministry controlled information and culture, including censorship of arts and literature
• The Nazi News Agency controlled the majority of newspapers and media outlets
• Mass rallies and propaganda films, such as Leni Riefenstahl's "Triumph of the Will," promoted Nazi ideology
• "Mein Kampf" outlined Hitler's political beliefs, ideologies, and plans
• Propaganda glorified Hitler, slandered perceived enemies, and instilled nationalistic pride, manipulating public perceptions to maintain power

Nazi Germany: Charismatic Leadership

• A cult of personality was cultivated around Hitler, celebrating his birthday and distributing biographies, inspiring widespread devotion and compliance
• Hitler's oratorical skills helped rally support
• He was portrayed as a savior figure for Germany
  • Public celebrations of his birthday, Nuremberg Rallies, and propaganda aimed at mythologizing his persona
• Charismatic leadership gained support for the Nazi Party's agenda, cementing control through flattery and fear

Nazi Germany: Nature of Opposition

• The Edelweiss Pirates and the Swing Youth emerged as youth opposition groups
  • The Edelweiss Pirates attacked Hitler Youth members and aided Allied forces
  • The Swing Youth engaged in activities opposing Nazi cultural norms, such as listening to jazz
• The Church, particularly figures like the Pope and the Archbishop of Münster, opposed Nazi policies like sterilization and euthanasia
  • This opposition led to public protests that halted these programs
• Some military leaders, including General Beck and members of the Kreisau Circle, attempted to resist Hitler's rule
  • The July 1944 bomb plot aimed to assassinate Hitler

Nazi Germany: Extent of and Treatment of Opposition

• Workers demonstrated opposition through underperformance, strikes, and anti-Hitler jokes
  • Underground groups distributed leaflets and engaged in "whispering propaganda," sending intelligence to the USSR
• Despite resistance pockets, the extent was limited due to Nazi propaganda, the regime's popularity, and brutal suppression via the Gestapo and concentration camps
  • Many individuals were arrested or executed for their opposition
• Opposition was initially limited due to propaganda, belief in Hitler's legitimacy, a strong economy, and divided political opposition
• Support for Hitler's policies from many Germans contributed to a strong platform
• Opposition increased as war progressed due to food shortages, Allied bombings, and foreign policy failures like the defeat at Stalingrad
• The July 20, 1944, assassination attempt on Hitler, orchestrated by Claus von Stauffenberg, showed increasing discontent within the military ranks
• Opposition was characterized by severe repression and control mechanisms to eliminate dissent
• A one-party state was established, trade unions abolished, and secret police utilized
• Groups opposing Hitler faced harsh crackdowns like The Night of the Long Knives

Nazi Germany: Impact of Foreign Policy

• Early foreign policy victories, like the reoccupation of the Rhineland and the annexation of Austria, bolstered Hitler's popularity
  • Support for the regime was maintained
• Military setbacks, such as the defeat at Stalingrad and Allied bombings, increased opposition and diminished support
• Foreign policy relied on expansionist aggression and nationalist fervor

Mao's China: Use of Legal Methods

• Since 1949, the CCP established a legal system subordinate to party authority
• Legal frameworks regulated the masses and suppressed dissent
• The legal system was modeled after Soviet practices, where laws served party interests and emphasized education and reform through labor camps
• The legal landscape was reshaped through initiatives like the 1954 constitution and utilized laws such as the Land Reform Law of 1950 and the Marriage Law of 1950 to redistribute land, alter social structure, and solidify control
• The Anti-Rightist Campaign of 1957 suppressed dissent and maintained the Party's dominance

Mao's China: Examples of Legal Methods

• The Land Reform Movement (1949-1951) redistributed land from landlords to peasants
• Anti-Campaigns targeted corruption, waste, and bureaucracy, leading to mass trials

Mao's China: Use of Force

• The CCP used violence and repression to maintain control, especially during periods of dissent
• Force was used to suppress rebellions in Xinjiang and Tibet, as well as against perceived internal enemies

Mao's China: Cultural Revolution 1966

• The Cultural Revolution (1966) mobilized youth, especially the Red Guard
  • This led to mass violence against alleged "enemies" of the state
  • This reclaimed authority lost due to failures of the Great Leap Forward Campaign
  • Ideological conformity was enforced, emphasizing the removal of the four olds

Mao's China:

• Concentration camps were used to detain and re-educate individuals, suppressing opposition and enforcing conformity
• A network of informers rooted out dissent and created an atmosphere of fear

Mao's China: Dissemination of Propaganda

• Mao believed culture to be politically significant, promoting policies through art, literature, and speeches
• The government maintained strict control over press and broadcasting
• Propaganda fostered unity, adherence to the CCP, and Mao's cult of personality
• "The Little Red Book" served to reinforce Mao's supremacy and ideology
• Ideologies were instilled, such as racial superiority within Nazi culture, and class struggle for Mao

Mao's China: Charismatic Leadership

• Propaganda, such as Mao's "Little Red Book," promoted his ideology and leadership
• Mao mobilized masses through impassioned speeches and a socialist version of China
• He was able to solidified control
• Charisma, alongside coercive measures, maintained power through flattery and control

Extent of Opposition In China:

• Some Intellectuals criticized policies and practices
• For example, the Hundred Flowers Campaign of 1956 exemplified complex opposition
  • The CCP cracked down on those who spoke out, labeling them as rightists
• Separatist Regions, like Tibet and Xinjiang, sought autonomy and opposed CCP rule
• Party Members such as Gao Gang and Liu Shaoqi criticized Mao's policies

Mao's China: Extent of Opposition

• Opposition was initially limited due to war weariness and hope for positive economic change
• Repression was heavily suppressed
• After the failure of the Great Leap Forward, Mao attempted to regain power through the Cultural Revolution, eliminating dissent.

Mao's China: Treatment of Opposition

• The Cultural Revolution involved mass violence
• Movements targeted alleged state enemies
• Anti-Rightist Movements targeted intellectuals - this resulted in persecution
• Labor Camps were created for millions of citizens
• There was use of force in campaigns, resulting in mass killings
• Public discourse, education and media was controlled to manipulate and justify actions.

Mao's China: Foreign Policy Impact on Power Maintenance

• Foreign relations shaped domestic governance
• Tensions with the US and USSR allowed the CCP to frame itself as a national protector, rallying support
• Korean War involvement fostered national unity and the CCP's legitimacy

Mao's China: Effects of Foreign Policy

• National unity suppressed dissent and enhanced Mao's status
  • Threats from foreign enemies were used to rally the population
• International isolation and Sino-Soviet split strained the economy
  • The decision to support North Korea resulted in Chinese casualties, economic strains, and a US trade embargo

Explore the rise of the Nazi Party and Hitler's consolidation of power. Examine the role of propaganda, key legislation, and resistance movements. Understand the methods used to establish totalitarian control and suppress opposition.