You will respond to a structured IB History Paper 2-style question using evidence from primary and secondary sources.
Question:
“To what extent did fear and propaganda contribute to Hitler’s consolidation of power between 1933 and 1939?”
Task Instructions:
You will write an argumentative response focusing on:
– Causation
– Perspectives (including at least two historians’ perspectives)
– Historical evidence
Key Events:
– The Reichstag Fire (1933) and its role in emergency decrees. The Night of the Long Knives (1934) and the suppression of opposition. Kristallnacht (1938) and its role in expanding Nazi control through terror.
Essay Structure:
Introduction: Clear thesis statement.
Body Paragraphs: Thematic analysis (fear vs. propaganda).
Conclusion: Evaluate the overall impact and significance.
IB Assessment Criteria:
Criterion A: Knowledge and Understanding (0-6) – Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge with clear historical examples.
Criterion B: Application and Analysis (0-6) – Effective application of historical concepts and analysis of propaganda and fear tactics.
Criterion C: Synthesis and Evaluation (0-6) – Evaluates different perspectives and assesses the impact of propaganda.
Criterion D: Use of Evidence (0-6) – Uses a range of sources critically, integrating historical evidence.
The consolidation of Adolf Hitler’s power between 1933 and 1939 is often attributed to two primary mechanisms: fear and propaganda. While both played significant roles in enabling the Nazi regime to establish control over Germany, the extent to which each contributed remains a subject of debate among historians. This essay argues that while fear was instrumental in suppressing dissent and consolidating power, propaganda was equally crucial in shaping public perception and garnering support for the regime. Together, these elements created a formidable framework for Hitler’s authoritarian rule.
Fear was a critical tool employed by the Nazis to eliminate opposition and consolidate their grip on power. The regime utilized violent intimidation through organizations such as the SA (Sturmabteilung) and SS (Schutzstaffel), which were responsible for harassing political opponents, instilling terror among the populace, and facilitating arrests without due process (The Holocaust Explained). The passage of the Enabling Act in March 1933 allowed Hitler to enact laws without parliamentary consent, leading to widespread imprisonments of political adversaries.