How Did Hitler Achieve Totalitarianism

Hitler centralised most of Germany from 1933 to 1939; his deliberate use of terror, domination of the economy, and control over media and education all reveal his attempts to gain authority. Hitler’s use of terror could be cited as key to achieving totalitarianism, as it destroyed the federal governmental system and established a single-party state. He also sought to dominate the economy to ready the country for war, increasing his popularity afterwards using his influence over social aspects - policies regarding propaganda and media as well as the change in education all support the stance that Hitler was successful overall in achieving totalitarianism. It can, therefore, be said that even though organised opposition to Hitler was visible,

Hitler’s first attempt to control the economy was the New Plan from 1934 to 1936, led by Schacht. Germany was facing various problems after the Great Depression, including unemployment, a decline in trade, and a banking system on the brink of collapse. The New Plan was successful in starting to control the flow of imports, exports and foreign currency. The trade agreements and investment on public buildings and infrastructure (such as the construction of railways, telecommunications, and autobahns) also helped enhance the economy - unemployment rates were decreasing by 1936, along with a slow recovery overall. The fact that wages were increasing and that more were getting employed shows how Hitler was able to control the economy. However, Hitler then dismissed Schacht to hire Goering, who proposed more radical ideas; this shows how the New Plan was not fit to create a totalitarian state with absolute control (progress was too slow). From 1936 to 1939 the 4 Year Plan was used to prepare Germany for war, and it did allow Hitler to see more management and progress. The 4 Year Plan set out regulations on foreign exchange, labour, raw materials, and prices - it was designed to rebuild the economy and strengthen

The Reich Ministry of Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda (RMVP) took control over broadcasting, press, film, literature, and so on, while the Reich Chamber of Culture and the Central Propaganda Office of the Nazi Party held similar responsibilities - this resulted in people competing with each other and censoring among themselves. Such competition, which represented the Nazi ideology of “survival of the fittest,” helped strengthen Hitler’s position and hence his power to control Germany. By 1939, most Germans owned ‘People’s Radios’ that only picked up Nazi broadcasts; workplaces, cafes, and shops were expected to relay important speeches through loudspeakers, and in 1933 Hitler made over 50 broadcasts alone. In 1943 Goebbels also delivered a famous speech encouraging Germans to embrace “total war” - the radio constantly exposed people to positive comments about the Nazi regime and therefore was successful in controlling public opinion. Through controlling the content of Nazi radios Hitler was able to arouse more support, hence creating a totalitarian state. The Nazis also invested in four of Germany’s largest film companies until by 1942 they were completely state controlled. All films were censored and degenerated artists were forbidden. The film ‘Triumph of the Will,’ a