After World War I, the "guilt clause" in the Treaty of Versailles caused Germany to lose not only territory and money, but German pride as well. Weimar government members had to bear the disgrace of signing the treaty. This, in Hitler's view, was humiliating Germany. Moreover, he and the German army denied being defeated in the war and blamed the loss on cowardly politicians. The treaty restricted the size of the German army and forbid Germany to join together with Austria. Adding to Germany's already vast economic

Dick Geary. Hitler and Nazism. London: Routledge, 1993.

Hitler's action caught the attention of the German society at the beginning. His political advancement made it easier for him to gain control, but his convincing speeches are what sold him to the people. Yet, at the end, society called his bluff and saw that his propaganda was a plethora of lies. Consequently, it is extremely important to remember that German silence during the Fuhrer's reign should not be interpreted as acceptance but as a blind cry for help.

Nazi organizations penetrated private and public life. The Gestapo (Secret State Police) was the most intrusive organization. It gathered information of citizens in any way it could. Nazis and Hitler were obsessed with public opinion and they sent the Gestapo to find out public opinion. Children who were propagandized in the Hitler Youth told the Gestapo of their parents' opinions and beliefs, which left parents, schoolteachers and priests in fear of voicing their opinions. The secret organizations turned generation against generation and neighbor against neighbor. Hitler designed obvious competition between various agencies of state and party in order to strengthen his own distinctive position. As part of his plan, Hitler knew any competition between agencies would lead them to ask him for advice and support. Hitler, after President Hindenburg's death in 1934, hated to intervene where decisions might make him unpopular with the general public. Hitler was the only person who made the decisions. Although he made the decisions, he was rarely involved in day-to-day discussions which led to formulation of policy.

Hitler's consolidation of power quickly increased. In the elections of 1933, Hitler had 44 percent of the vote, still not a majority vote. However, in March of 1933, forming a majority in the Reichstag through an alliance with the Nationalists (DNVP) enabled him a majority to pass the Enabling Act. This gave "Hitler's government rule without the need for action to be authorized either by the Reichstag or presidential decree" (p.38). This led to massive violence from Nazis. The Nazis' "seizure of power was anything but peaceful" (p.38).

Propaganda played as extraordinary role by influencing different parts of society. Nazis promised the small man protection against big business and large stores. On the other hand, it promised big business the destruction of the Weimar Republic and the restoration of management's right to manage. Moreover, the Nazis pledged to women the return of traditional moral and family values. Although Nazis were promising different things to different people, they were able to get away with it for a couple of reasons. First, there was no media coverage, so one group had no idea what the NSDAP was promising to the other. Second, the Nazis targete

Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1916
Approximate Pages = 8 (250 words per page double spaced)