The power of the terror apparatus:

coercion and consent

The Nazis’ used every tool at their disposal to ensure that

they had full control of Germany. This involved the SS

and Gestapo, but also included other legal, political

and social controls.

However even without these powers, the Nazis still had a

great deal of support.

The Nazis passed a range of laws which helped secure their

domination in Germany.

Even before they had full control of Germany, the

Reichstag Fire Decree (passed in February 1933) gave the government strong powers,

and helped them shut down the Communist Party (KPD).

The Enabling Act, passed in March 1933, was another key

feature of Nazi control. This allowed Hitler to pass laws,

without any consideration of the demands of the Cabinet,

President or Reichstag.

Hitler also banned trade union membership and all political

parties except the Nazis.

The Nazis also sought to influence key groups and the

German people directly.

Joseph Goebbels’ propaganda role meant that Germans were

bombarded with pro-Nazi messages.

The Catholic Church Concordat played a role in ensuring that

opposition was limited.

The Nazis also used the SS and Gestapo to crush opposition and create fear amongst the

rest of the population.

The Gestapo were perceived to have an omnipresent role,

and their powers to arrest made them influential. The People’s Courts also dealt

harshly with ‘treason’.

The SS were known for their extreme policing and violence, again hurting those that would possibly have opposed Hitler.

In particular their actions on the Night of Long Knives (June 1934) showed their

ruthlessness, as they were even prepared to kill fellow Nazis

(members of the SA).

All of these actions helped the Nazis create a culture of fear and compliance in Germany. Even those that might oppose

Hitler’s party had little opportunity to do so.

However this is not to say that fear was the only factor which gave the Nazis power; public

support existed too.

The SS and Gestapo relied on information from members of

the public. Some Germans would turn in their

acquaintances, often for genuine rebellion but other times due to petty jealousy.

Other Germans ignored the treatment of Jews, possibly through fear but also maybe

due to anti-Semitism.

Many Germans also strongly supported the policies being

introduced by the Nazis.

The national elections in March 1933 saw the Nazis gain 44% of the vote, making them easily

the largest party. Although this is not a majority, it is clear

evidence that Hitler’s rhetoric engaged many Germans.

After March 1933, many Germans strongly backed the

Nazis’ actions.

The improved economic conditions (such as fall in

unemployment) and increased German power and pride

(exemplified in military and territorial terms) were in

contrast to Weimar weakness.

Even amongst those groups that opposed the Nazis and was

prepared to act, division limited their effectiveness.

The ongoing split between the Social Democrats and

Communists – following the Spartacist Revolt – meant that the Left in Germany was never

able to stop Hitler.

In addition, the variety of groups that did oppose Hitler

were split based on their particular demands.

Some groups favoured a more Leftist approach, others

supported Hitler’s actions but worried about steps towards war, and others were simply

too disorganised to coordinate with each other.

Historians’ views

• Nikolaus Wachsmann: Hitler’s police apparatus was a major weapon of repression. Fear of the Gestapo was widespread. The Gestapo relied on support from outside its ranks.

• Robert Gellately: Nazi Germany easily gained support from Germans who were prepared to live with a surveillance society in exchange for a stronger economy and stable government.

• Richard Evans: Disagrees with Gellately, saying that the Gestapo and SS did cause fear and compliance amongst Germans, with denunciation being generally rare.