The Social Impact of Hitler's rule

It is five years into Hitler's reign of power. Wikistory sets out to discover how Hitler has changed Germany since taking office.

After Hitler's rise to power, he had several objectives that he wished to achieve. Among them were:

• The restoration of Germany as the leading country of Europe
• Ensuring the racial purity of the German nation 
• Establishment of complete Nazi control over the state

While attempting to achieve his objectives, Hitler left an impact on Germany. The impact of Hitler's rule can be categorised into 3 types:

• Political
• Social
• Economic

Today, we will be doing an article on social impact. Did the lives of the people improve under Hitler's leadership? What caused it? While attempting one of his objectives, Hitler used emergency laws. It does not only suspend political and civil rights, but it also arrest anyone suspected of being against the government. Therefore, those who were suspected to be against the government or the Nazis were imprisoned without being brought to the court. Courts were under the total control of the Nazis. Only Nazis or Nazi supporters could become judges. Hence, it became impossible to get a fair trial in Germany. Instead of improving Germans' lives, the Germans felt that their lives were tightly controlled by Hitler and they had their rights about freedom of speech being taken away from them.

Emergency laws- Extra powers that are given to a government to deal with serious situations, such as war or natural disasters.

Members of the SS (Schutzstaffel) parade during a rally

 Plainclothes Gestapo agents during the White Buses operations in 1945

SS(Schutzstaffel/ Elite Guard) was Hitler's personal elite personal bodyguard. The Gestapo was the secret police. They often killed all those who opposed Hitler and the Nazi Party. The Gestapo were not accountable to the court or any law. SS and Gestapo struck fear in all Germans. Germany is sometimes called a police state because of the virtually unlimited power of its police force. Therefore, people were warned not to speak out against Hitler. Those who did were put into prison by the Gestapo.

 (Joseph Goebbels)

One of Hitler's most trusted ministers was Joseph Goebbels. He was an expert in using propaganda and played an important role in spreading propaganda in Germany to gain people's support. Goebbels often used the tactic of repeating simple messages to get people to believe whatever Nazis told them. Radio stations were also bought under their controls. Germans were encouraged to buy radios which were sold cheaply. Radio loudspeakers were also installed in public and work areas. Whenever Hitler gave speeches, orders would be given for everyone to switch on their radios and listen to Führer's speech. Hitler and the Nazi party used propaganda in order to brainwash and manipulate people into thinking that the Nazi party was a good party to be in.

(One of the youth organisation)

In order to win the support of the young, youth organisation was set up. After Hitler rose to power, all other organisations were either closed or merged with the Nazi youth orgamisations. These organisations were set up for different age groups and genders. Boys attend programs of military athletics (Wehsport) that emphasised physical and millitary training while girls learnt how to be physically fit and how to take care of babies. The main aim of the organisations was to teach German youths that they should believe Nazi ideas. Youths who were not members of these organisations found it difficult to enter universities or obtain jobs.

So in order to have a smooth life journey, youths need to join the organisations to have a better education and have no difficulties in finding jobs.