To what extent was Nazi Germany a totalitarian dictatorship?
The Third Reich, referring to the Nazi rule in Germany and Hitler’s reign from 1933 – 1945,
is often called a totalitarian dictatorship. Hitler has been referred to as ‘Master of the Third Reich’
by the historian Karl Dietrich Bracher. A dictatorship usually refers to a government where
absolute power is exercise by one individual who is known as the dictator and totalitarian is a word
used to describe a system of government which is centralized. A totalitarian dictatorship refers to a
state governed by one part with one individual at the top, with all power invested in him. From
1933 until 1945, Germany was an example of such a system of governance with Hitler, the Führer
having absolute power and unquestionable authority.
By 1933, the Nazis had already defeated most of their rivals and opposition which left them
in the position to establish total dictatorship. This essay discusses to what extent Nazi Germany
was a totalitarian dictatorship and whether or not Hitler was actually ‘Master of the Third Reich’.
There were several factors suggesting that Hitler and the Nazis were successful in the
establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship such as: The lack of opposition, control over
propaganda, control over a strong military and education and Hitler’s personality cult.
Firstly, lack of opposition to the Nazi reign meant that the Nazis were able to subdue people
and establish that Hitler’s authority wasn’t to be questioned. Although small groups did revolt,
there was no organized opposition which made it easy for the Nazi’s to suppress rebellion.
Additionally, Hitler’s use of terror and persecution instilled fear among the people. According to
Hindenburg’s decree, for example, 300,000 communists were arrested and almost 30,000
executed. For anyone deemed a threat to the state, the decree allowed imprisonment without fair
trials, for an indefinite period. Even malicious gossip, jokes or unintentional comments against
Hitler could result in being sent to concentration camps. It was such uses of terror that prevented
people from opposing the Nazis for fear of being sent away or arrested. Hitler banned Trade
The Third Reich, referring to the Nazi rule in Germany and Hitler’s reign from 1933 – 1945,
is often called a totalitarian dictatorship. Hitler has been referred to as ‘Master of the Third Reich’
by the historian Karl Dietrich Bracher. A dictatorship usually refers to a government where
absolute power is exercise by one individual who is known as the dictator and totalitarian is a word
used to describe a system of government which is centralized. A totalitarian dictatorship refers to a
state governed by one part with one individual at the top, with all power invested in him. From
1933 until 1945, Germany was an example of such a system of governance with Hitler, the Führer
having absolute power and unquestionable authority.
By 1933, the Nazis had already defeated most of their rivals and opposition which left them
in the position to establish total dictatorship. This essay discusses to what extent Nazi Germany
was a totalitarian dictatorship and whether or not Hitler was actually ‘Master of the Third Reich’.
There were several factors suggesting that Hitler and the Nazis were successful in the
establishment of a totalitarian dictatorship such as: The lack of opposition, control over
propaganda, control over a strong military and education and Hitler’s personality cult.
Firstly, lack of opposition to the Nazi reign meant that the Nazis were able to subdue people
and establish that Hitler’s authority wasn’t to be questioned. Although small groups did revolt,
there was no organized opposition which made it easy for the Nazi’s to suppress rebellion.
Additionally, Hitler’s use of terror and persecution instilled fear among the people. According to
Hindenburg’s decree, for example, 300,000 communists were arrested and almost 30,000
executed. For anyone deemed a threat to the state, the decree allowed imprisonment without fair
trials, for an indefinite period. Even malicious gossip, jokes or unintentional comments against
Hitler could result in being sent to concentration camps. It was such uses of terror that prevented
people from opposing the Nazis for fear of being sent away or arrested. Hitler banned Trade
