Understanding the Dualism of Nazi Germany: Functionalist vs. Structuralist Perspectives

1. FUNCTIONALISTS / STRUCTURALISTS Mommsen, Broszat (1970s <) Opportunistic, non-determinist, weak dictator. “Confusion of Private Empires” (Mommsen) LEGACY of Bismark, Kaiser and Weimar – continuation of Germany’s past. HITLER – led state through propaganda rather than organisation and leadership. DUALISM – chaos in Germany as Nazi and State organisations overlapped and clashed. Eg – Police v Army v SS v Gestapo.Econ – Schacht v Goering v Tadt v Darre. Educ – von Shirach v Rust v Himmler. WAR YEARS – permanent confusion and conflict in planning (admitted needed army more onside) STRUCTURALISTS Believe: ECONOMIC RECOVERY – was shaky. A full war-economy didn’t exist until 1942. NO CLEAR LINES OF AUTHORITY – Eg big businesses didn’t know where to go to get effective action. SPEER – often privately over ruled Hitler’s orders during war that would have caused further destruction for Germany. POLYCRATIC REGIME – Large no of power bases Eg Goering, Goebbles and Himmler sought power and titles. Gauleiters could become very powerful at local level. HITLER MANIPULETED – by key figures eg Martin Borman. HITLER didn’t create policy – he sanctioned whichever competing parts of states had succeeded in seeing off rivals. NAZI LEADERS IN CONFLICT – Continually clashed in seeking power HITLER – was an opportunist. He only sprung into action in emergencies. INDIVIDUAL MINISTERS – left to own devices because Hitler was lazy, hated paperwork and was preoccupied with pet projects like re-building Berlin! IDEOLOGY – Confused and contradictory. HITLER – destroyed State Organisations with destructive policies. Gradually previously strong organisations like the army and civil service were worn down to collapse. EARLY 20s – Hitler said he was the ‘drummer’ for the Volkish movement, making way for a more major figure to follow.

2. INTENTIONALISTS Bullock, Bracher, Fest, Shirer 1945-c.1970s Planned, Determinist, Totalitarianism, Strong Dictator. “Nazism was Hitlerism” (Bracher) PLANNED rise to power – policy of legality after Munich confused everyone, achieved broad-based support. DURING WAR – Persuaded Austrian Chancellor Schuschnigg to allow Nazi to enter Gov – Feb ‘38. Persuaded Czech President Hacha to allow Nazis into country. Nullified Anglo-German Naval Agreement and planned invasion of Poland, once Britain had given ultimatum. TOTALITARIANISM – one leader, one party, one ideology. FUHRER PRINZIP – All powerful leader. INTENTIONALISTS Believe: ALL POLICIES – went through Hitler, his word was law. ARMY – swore to die for him and to protect him. CULT OF LEADERSHIP – charismatic leader underpinned by propaganda Eg Nuremburg Rallies. WAR CRIMES TRIALS – Nazi officials declared they had simply “followed orders” WORSHIPPED by other leading Nazis. ECONOMY – strong, as unemployment was virtually nil and Germany was preparing for autarky. POWER STRUGGLES – were allowed between ministers to gain more power for Hitler. IDEOLOGY – strong core of War, Racial Extermination and Fuhrer Prinzip. ELIMINATED OPPOSITION: EXTERNALLY – 1933 Enabling Act, Law Against Formation of Parties, becoming Fuhrer. INTERNALLY – 1934 Night of the Long Knives. TERROR HOUSE – SS, Gestapo and to some extent SA all under Hitler’s control and in turn controlled masses through fear. EDUCATION SYSTEM – strong, from teachers, to students in the class room and the Hitler Youth. FEW REBELLIONS – Generally people supported his policies and ultimately supported him.