The Role of Prominent Individuals in the Nazi State

The role of prominent individuals in the Nazi state

Much as with the survey section on peace treaties there are no specific personalities listed which gives insight into the type of question you can expect to get.

When writing notes place emphasis on the role of the personality. So don’t focus on biographical information (born, liked dogs etc) but instead look at the three personalities we have studied and discuss how they shaped/influenced Nazi Germany. There is a strong overlap between this dot point and the next two.

• • For Hitler- Explore his role as Fuhrerprinzip and briefly explore the intentionalist/structuralist debate about whether he was a strong leader or not. Recognise that even if he is a weak dictator he is still the source of Nazi ideology and inspiration throughout the regime, all of the most important influences in Nazi society start here.

  • For Goebbels – Briefly recognise his role in support Hitler’s rise to Chancellorship and then focus on his efforts to shape society into following Nazi Ideology through propaganda after the establishment of his Ministry for Propaganda in 1933.

  • For Himmler – Recognise his changing roles from leader of a small bodyguard SS though to expanding influences with the SS and Gestapo after the Night of long knives. Don’t move onto his role in WW2/Holocaust given that this syllabus finishes in 1939.