Question 1

How did the Nazis control what people thought?

Accepted Answer

The Nazis used propaganda and censorship to control ideas. Joseph Goebbels' ministry controlled newspapers, radio, films, and books. All media had to promote Nazi ideals, and opposition views were banned. The regime also held mass rallies, like the Nuremberg rallies, to create a sense of unity. Censorship meant that people could only access approved information, and listening to foreign radio was a crime punishable by death in wartime.

Question 2

What was life like for women in Nazi Germany?

Accepted Answer

Nazi policy emphasised traditional roles for women: they were expected to be mothers and homemakers. The regime encouraged large families through loans and medals like the 'Mother's Cross'. Women were discouraged from working, especially in professional jobs, and were pushed out of universities and careers. However, during the war, labour shortages meant women were eventually called back to work in factories. The ideal was the 'Kinder, Küche, Kirche' (children, kitchen, church) model.

Question 3

How did the Nazis treat Jewish people?

Accepted Answer

The Nazis persecuted Jewish people from 1933 onwards, with policies becoming increasingly harsh. The 1935 Nuremberg Laws stripped Jews of citizenship and banned marriage between Jews and non-Jews. During Kristallnacht in 1938, synagogues and Jewish businesses were destroyed. After 1939, Jews were forced into ghettos and later deported to concentration and extermination camps as part of the 'Final Solution'. By 1945, six million Jews had been murdered in the Holocaust.

Question 4

Did anyone resist the Nazis?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but resistance was difficult and dangerous. Examples include the White Rose group, which distributed anti-Nazi leaflets; the Edelweiss Pirates, a youth group that clashed with the Hitler Youth; and individuals like Sophie Scholl, who was executed. There were also assassination attempts on Hitler, such as the 1944 July Bomb Plot led by Claus von Stauffenberg. However, most Germans did not actively resist due to fear of the Gestapo and concentration camps.

Question 5

How did the Nazis reduce unemployment?

Accepted Answer

The Nazis reduced unemployment through a massive programme of public works, including building autobahns and rearmament. They also introduced conscription in 1935, which removed young men from the job market. However, these policies came at a cost: wages were kept low, and consumer goods were scarce. Many jobs were in the armaments industry, and the economy became geared towards war. By 1939, unemployment was virtually eliminated, but this was not sustainable.

Question 6

What was the Hitler Youth?

Accepted Answer

The Hitler Youth was the Nazi organisation for young people aged 10-18. It aimed to indoctrinate them with Nazi ideology and prepare them for military service. Activities included camping, hiking, and military-style drills. From 1936, membership became compulsory for all 'Aryan' children. Boys learned to be soldiers, while girls joined the League of German Maidens, which focused on domestic skills. Many young people enjoyed the activities, but others resented the strict discipline and lack of freedom.

The experiences of Germans under the Nazis

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