Why was there so little opposition to
the Nazis?
Learning objective – to be able to explain
the reasons why there was so little
opposition to the Nazis.
I can describe some of
the reasons why there
was little opposition
to the Nazis.
Grade D
I can explain why
there was limited
opposition to the
Nazis.
Grade B
I can explain and
evaluate reasons why
there was so little
opposition to the Nazis.
Grade A
Starter – order
these reasons
why opposition
was limited in
importance?
How far was opposition to the Nazis
open?
The main form of opposition to the Nazis
occurred in private and was mainly in the
form of grumbling, passing anti-Nazi jokes,
refusing to do the Nazi salute and telling
rude stories about Nazi officials.
The main reason for this was that many
people were terrified with the control
network the Nazis created. All the Nazis’
main opponents had been killed, exiled or
imprisoned.
However, terror cannot fully explain why
there was so little opposition in Nazi
Germany ……
Why did the Nazis face so little
opposition?
Nazi
successes
Economic
fears
Propaganda
How far were people satisfied with the
economic recovery under the Nazis?
Many people in Germany were satisfied with the German economic recovery,
especially in the mid 1930s. They were prepared to tolerate rule by terror and have
limited political rights in a strong government in return for German economic recovery
and foreign policy success.
The key economic successes under the Nazis were –
• Reducing unemployment from 6 million in 1933 to 250,000 in 1939 through
conscription, rearmament, public works projects and creating jobs in the civil
service.
• Creating a series of schemes to improve working conditions, such as the Strength
Through Joy campaign which gave social opportunities to workers.
• Improved standards of living, such as creating the Volkswagen Beetle car, for which
workers saved five marks a week to pay for.
How far were people satisfied with the
international recovery under the Nazis?
Many people in Germany felt the Nazis
brought pride back to Germany in a series of
foreign policy success, although in the face of
dubious, but necessary, methods –
• Rearmament allowed for a restored
German army and weaponry.
• A series of successful foreign missions
which expanded borders and brought
back pride.
• Defiance of the Treaty of Versailles.
How far were people satisfied with the
political stability under the Nazis?
The 1920s and early 1930s saw a period of
infighting and poor discipline in Germany.
Many people saw the Nazis return discipline
and strong government back to Germany,
which tapped into the traditional values of
the nation.
Also the clamping down on Communism was
especially popular in some areas of German
society who saw them as a threat to national
order and were rowdy in their political
actions.
How far did economic fears impact
upon limited opposition to the Nazis?
Many Germans feared the possibility of being
out of work such was their scarring experience
of the Great Depression.
Therefore, with the Nazis bringing down
unemployment, albeit due to dubious
methods, many were willing to put up with this
as the alternative was much worse. Conforming
to the Nazis looked the easier option.
‘Keeping your head down’ became a national
obsession as life become more comfortable for
people. This was augmented by the SS and
Gestapo listening in on any conversations. If
you were caught saying the wrong thing then
you could lose your job.
How far did propaganda impact upon
limited opposition to the Nazis?
The Nazi state was a propaganda state and
this underpinned the whole regime.
Propaganda shielded negative things about
the Nazis from the population while
highlighting messages what they wanted
the people to believe.
Propaganda was central to promoting the
image of Hitler and swamping the nation
with Nazi achievements – real or
otherwise.
Propaganda was a crucial instrument which
helped maintain Hitler’s high level of
popularity throughout the Nazi regime.
Task
Draw a diagram the summarises why there
was so little opposition towards the Nazis.
Use the following subheadings to group
your evidence –
•
•
•
•
Propaganda
Isolation
Terror
Nazi Achievements.
You can use either a mind map or hexagons
to make your notes.
Plenary – a touch of Scrabble
What are the three key words
from this lesson that sums up
your learning?
Which word has the highest
value if you used in a game of
Scrabble?
Compare with the person
next to you. Which word has
the highest value?