We will start term 2 by studying Nazi Germany between 1933 – 1945.
Over the holidays you are to read chapter 8
(Germany 1918 – 1945) of your text book .
You will research an area of social life/practices between the years 1933 -1945 in Nazi Germany. This can include studies of social movements, such as trade unions, feminist groups, the Hitler Youth, speech and propaganda, or it can concentrate on the daily life of people in this time. Most of these aspects will be studied in class, but you may research any area of interest.
The Hypothesis
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You must construct a hypothesis to test. That is, you must develop an argument on a question of your choosing concerned with the topic about which you are writing. (I have attached a list of student hypotheses completed in previous years for your interest and perusal).
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You must support your argument using books and sources from the library. Relying on internet resources is discouraged.
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It is essential to reference your work correctly; there will be library sessions to help you with the referencing.
Areas we will study:
1. Education in Nazi Germany : To what extent was education in Nazi Germany subverted to the needs of the ruling party?
2. Religion in Nazi Germany : Was it possible to lead a fulfilling spiritual life in Nazi Germany?
3. Hitler Youth : Was the Hitler Youth’s primary purpose simply to prepare boys for war?
4. The Police State : To what extent did it have an impact on the lives of ordinary Germans?
5. Women in Nazi Germany : Did the Nazis believe in equality between the sexes or was this simply rhetoric?
6. Jews in Nazi Germany : In what way was life for ordinary Jewish people affected by the Nazis rise to power?
In addition to the above subjects on Nazi Germany, you may choose any area that interests you about life in
Germany under Hitler.
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Examples of hypotheses:
 … that the Hitler Youth was primarily established to create a pure and well-trained nation for the future.
 … that the methods of discrimination used against the Jews were subtle enough not to draw attention to Hitler or Germany, either from within or outside the country.
 … that Hitler’s powerful and influential use of speech and propaganda methods during his time in power inhibited/restricted the German people from freely expressing their own beliefs and thoughts.
 … that the Hitler Youth was established to mould the minds of the younger generation for the future
 … the Hitler Youth was primarily established to create a pure and well-trained nation for the future
 … the methods of discrimination used against the Jews were subtle enough not to draw attention to
Hitler or Germany, either from within or outside the country
 … that Hitler’s powerful and influential use of speech and propaganda methods during his time in power inhibited/restricted the German people from freely expressing their own beliefs and thoughts.
 … Hitler assumed so much power during his time in office that no one was brave enough to speak out against his cruel and discriminatory methods against the Jews and other minority groups in society.
 … that the Nazi Party deliberately changed and manipulated educational practices for their own short and long term gains.
 … that the people of Germany were afraid to speak out against Hitler and the Nazi Party in fear of immediate or long term reprisals or persecution.
 … the Nazi Party gained the support of the people because of Hitler’s unique and ground-breaking political methods, forcing people to support his ideas and beliefs.
 … the failure of the Nazi Party to forcefully take power in 192 3only made the German people be more sympathetic to Hitler and his policies.
 … propaganda blinded the German people because of ulterior motives.
 … the Minister for Propaganda, Joseph Goebels, played more of a role in influencing and shaping the minds of the German people than Hitler himself.
 … Hitler used education as a form of propaganda to manipulate the minds of children to fear minority groups.
 … that the German people were vulnerable in the period of 1933-39 due to the social effects of the
First World War and the depression, and were therefore manipulated into following Hitler and his
Nazi Party.
 … Hitler knew that the support of the female population was very important in achieving his political objectives.
 … the unstable international political climate in the 1930’s enabled the Nazi Party to assume total control of Germany and its people.
 … Hitler knew that gaining the support of the church would be an effective tool/medium in controlling the views of the German people.
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