Nazi Germany: Consolidation of Power & Control 1933–1939

Mark Scheme (2 marks per inference: 1 for inference + 1 for supporting detail from source):

Inference 1: I can infer that Jews felt completely defenceless during Kristallnacht. The source supports this because Klemperer writes "We are defenceless, delivered up" — suggesting that Jews had no protection from the state or the law and were entirely at the regime's mercy.

Inference 2: I can infer that the violence of Kristallnacht caused severe psychological damage to German Jews. The source supports this because Klemperer states "My heart and spirit are already dead" — indicating the cumulative effect of years of persecution had destroyed his mental resilience even before the physical destruction reached its peak that night.

Note: Do not simply describe what the source says — you must make an inference (a deduction that goes beyond the literal text) supported by a quote.

Mark Scheme:

• Level 1 (1–2): Simple comment on content of one or both sources.
• Level 2 (3–4): Examines content of both sources with some provenance comment.
• Level 3 (5–6): Evaluates utility of both sources using NOP; links to own knowledge.
• Level 4 (7–8): Detailed NOP evaluation of both; makes overall judgement about relative utility; own knowledge used to contextualise limitations and support.

Model answer points: Source A (Nuremberg Rally photograph) is useful for showing the propaganda method of mass spectacle — but its purpose as Nazi press propaganda means it presents an idealised image, not necessarily reflecting genuine popular enthusiasm. Source B (Klemperer diary) is useful for understanding how terror affected victims — its private nature means it is candid, but it is one individual's experience. Together, the sources show both propaganda (A) and terror (B) as methods of control, supporting the argument that both worked in tandem: propaganda winning consent, terror suppressing dissent.

Mark Scheme:

• Level 1 (1–2): Simple description of one or two events in isolation.
• Level 2 (3–5): Describes several events with some links showing how they connect.
• Level 3 (6–8): Analytical narrative showing how events led to and caused each other, building to the outcome of full dictatorship.

Key events to include (in order, with causal links):

The process began on 27 February 1933 when the Reichstag building burned down. Hitler used this as a pretext to issue the Reichstag Fire Decree (28 February), which suspended civil liberties and enabled the mass arrest of Communist opponents — thereby weakening his political rivals before the March elections. This paved the way for the Enabling Act (23 March 1933), which required a two-thirds majority; Hitler achieved this through intimidation by the SA and the arrest of KPD deputies. The Enabling Act gave Hitler legal power to govern without the Reichstag, making him effectively a dictator within law. He then systematically eliminated all remaining opposition: trade unions were abolished in May 1933, other political parties were banned by July 1933, and state governments were dissolved in January 1934. The final obstacle was the SA, whose leader Ernst Röhm threatened to undermine Hitler's alliance with the army. During the Night of Long Knives (30 June 1934), the SS murdered Röhm and approximately 200 others. The army, grateful for this, pledged personal loyalty to Hitler. When President Hindenburg died on 2 August 1934, Hitler merged the offices of Chancellor and President, declaring himself Führer — completing the transition from democratic leader to absolute dictator.

Mark Scheme (16 marks = 12 marks analysis + 4 marks SPaG):

• Level 1 (1–4): Simple generalised comments; one-sided; no developed argument.
• Level 2 (5–8): Some explanation of propaganda and/or other factors; limited links between factors.
• Level 3 (9–12): Analyses propaganda AND counter-factors (terror, economic recovery, opposition failure); makes judgement.

Grade 9 Essay Structure:

Agree (propaganda WAS central): Goebbels' ministry controlled all media — radio reached 70% of households by 1939; the Volksempfänger made Nazi messaging ubiquitous. Leni Riefenstahl's films and Nuremberg Rallies created the Führer myth. Propaganda successfully promoted Volksgemeinschaft, anti-Semitism, and economic optimism. Many Germans genuinely supported Hitler, especially after unemployment fell from 6m (1933) to near-zero (1938).

Counter-argument (terror was equally or more important): The Gestapo, SS and SD created a climate where dissent was suicidal. 30,000+ sent to concentration camps 1933–39; anyone could be denounced by neighbours. Terror eliminated organised opposition before it could form. Without terror, propaganda alone could not have suppressed a Communist Party with millions of members. The White Rose and July Plot show that some resisted propaganda — but terror crushed them.

Other factors: Economic recovery (public works, rearmament) generated genuine gratitude; foreign policy successes (Rhineland, Austria, Sudetenland) boosted popularity; fragmentation of opposition (left and right couldn't unite); collaboration of conservative elites and army.

Judgement: Propaganda and terror were inseparable and mutually reinforcing — propaganda won consent; terror suppressed dissent. However, economic recovery was arguably as important as propaganda in generating genuine popular support, particularly 1933–36. The most persuasive argument is that all three (propaganda, terror, economic success) were necessary; without any one of them, the others would have been insufficient to maintain control.