The Nazi party, led by Adolf Hitler, rose to power in Germany in the early 1930s and quickly became one of the most powerful and oppressive regimes in history. For nearly a decade, basic human rights were suspended and their hatred of Jews and other minorities was making the situation in the nation increasingly difficult. While it can often appear to be a mystery as to how the Nazis were able to gain so much power and stay in control for so long, the truth is that Hitler and the Nazi party were master manipulators and proponents of political maneuvering. The following article will explore the various political maneuvers employed by Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party, as well as their consequences.
Hitler’s Rise to Power in Germany
Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party rose to power in Germany in January 1933 following a swift but carefully planned series of political manoeuvres over the previous year. His rise was made possible due to social unrest in Germany, the breaking of the Weimar Republic, and his own political savvy.
Hitler had been a struggling artist and political activist in Munich, Bavaria during the 1920s. He joined the German Workers Party with two friends and gradually began to take control of it. The Nazis were soon on the street, fighting with Communists and other competing political forces and striving to achieve the “national resurgence” of Germany. By 1928, Hitler had become widely respected, and the Nazis had gained enough interest to enter the Reichstag in 1930.
Over the next few years, the Nazis deliberately exploited the economic depression and growing discontent in Germany. Hitler masterfully used his power of persuasion to build an atmosphere of fear regarding the supposedly imminent threat of minority groups, particularly Jews and Communists. He also used the media to broadcast his powerful oratory skills in order to drive nationalistic sentiments and promote his own political agenda. Much of this was done without any recourse to legal authority.
Nazi Propaganda and ‘Strength Through Joy’
One of the key tactics employed by the Nazis to stay in power was a sophisticated system of propaganda which was employed to an unprecedented extent in modern human history. The primary purpose of Nazi propaganda was to create an environment of fear and hatred while simultaneously promoting nationalistic sentiments and “Lebensraum” – Hitler’s notorious slogan for acquiring more land for the “Aryan race”.
Propaganda was disseminated through the press and radio, but also in more innovative forms such as wall posters, leaflets, rallies, and uniform badges. Even sport and culture were used to promote Nazi beliefs, with the formation of the “Strength through Joy” program in 1933 – a number of holiday destinations, leisure activities, and cultural events were organized for German citizens as means of spreading Nazi ideology.
Cultural Coercion & Censorship
The Nazi party was also quick to impose strict censorship upon literature, media, and the arts. All politically or racially-sensitive material was quickly suppressed, while new works were produced to glorify Nazi ideals. This allowed the party to shape the opinions and beliefs of the public, by eliminating or marginalising any material which may have been considered disruptive to their rule.
The Nazis also sought to suppress non-Aryan elements in German culture, particularly those of the Jewish community which had been present in Germany since ancient times. The “Gleichschaltung” (forced alignment) process saw countless books, works of art, and holiday rituals banned or replaced with Nazi-friendly alternatives. Religious celebrations were also heavily suppressed, with particular focus given to Jewish festivals and traditions.
Reichstag Fire & the Enabling Act
In February 1933 the Reichstag building was set on fire. This event was used by the Nazis to rally support for their own ideology and to suggest that the fire was started by Marxist terrorists. This incident allowed the Nazis to create a culture of fear, as well as implement the enabling act which gave Hitler his dictatorship.
The enabling act released Hitler from the constraints of the Weimar Republic and allowed him to do as he pleased in domestic and foreign policy. This was a major turning point in Hitler’s rise to power, and without the enabling act, it is likely that the Nazi Party would not have been able to stay in power for so long or have such a significant impact on history.
Manufacturing Consent & Instilling Fear
The Nazis also relied heavily upon their control of the police and paramilitary forces to ensure the population was kept in line. All propaganda and public displays of strength were used to manufacture consent and instill a sense of fear in the minds of citizens and any other opposition to the Nazi regime.
The use of terror as a tool to control and manipulate populations was also a major element in Nazi rule, with the Gestapo and SS forces systematically harassing, persecuting, and even killing those who disagreed with the Reich’s ideology. This was especially true of the Jewish population, who were singled out for persecution due to their alleged conspiring against the German people in a so-called “war of liberation”.
Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party employed a number of political maneuvers to gain and maintain power in Germany. From skilled propaganda to severe censorship, from manufacturing consent to instilling fear into the population, the Nazis employed countless strategies in order to remain in control for as long as they did. The consequences of Nazi rule were devastating, and this sinister machination of political strategy should never be forgotten.
