The Fuhrerprinzip
The Fuhrerprinzip originates from Hitler’s planning whilst in prison. It relates to the structure of the party and the dominance of the leader. This was a policy of dedication to and obedience of the Fuhrer (leader) and as such became known as the Fuhrerprinzip.
Whilst in Landsberg jail (1924) Hitler realised that a number of issues must be resolved in order for his party to remain, not only intact, but be able to move forward and become a genuine contender within the Weimar political arena. If he was eventually to become chancellor he accepted that he must use the legal structures as set out within the Weimar Constitution (1919) and make a number of ‘adjustments’ within the party.
Aims (1924)
* Unite the party after his release from prison.
* Consolidate party manifesto – as was based on his ideas set out in Mein Kampf
* Gain more seats in the Reichstag for the the Nazi party.
Principles of Obedience, The Fuhrerprinzip
1. Hitler was the sole authority within the party
2. Hitler will not share power with anyone else within or outside of the party.
3. Hitler’s decision is final
4. Power was not devolved to others – Hitler was the guardian of power, acting in Germany’s best interests.
5. Others would act out and achieve his aims – this was called acting in the will of the Fuhrer. Many of Hitler’s ideas were rarely set out on paper and so through this vague platform many of his Generals and ministers created what they felt was what he wanted.
6. He would only intervene in the party when necessary – the natural running of the party will be managed by others taking his direct orders
7. (From 1926) The party will follow the 25-point charter
8. Appeal for the party was manifestly interlinked with attraction to the party – attraction to success and the future Germany.
Germany 1919 – 1945 Links
The Second Reich
Unification of Germany – Political systems within the Second Reich – German Society during the Second Reich – Collapse of the Second Reich
Weimar Republic
Interim Government – Founding of the Weimar Republic – Impact of the First World War on Germany – The Treaty of Versailles and its impact on Germany – Weimar Constitution – 1919-1923: Years of Crisis? – Spartacist Uprising – Kapp Putsch – Reichsbanner Schwarz-Rot-Gold – Reparations – Hyperinflation in Germany, 1923 – 1924-1928: A Golden Era? – 1925 Presidential Election – Gustav Stresemann – German Foreign Relations 1919-1932 – Germany in the Great Depression – Failings of the Weimar Republic – Dada Movement
Rise of the Nazi Party
The Munich Putsch – Did the Economic Crisis of 1923 help the Nazi’s? – Origins of the Nazi Party – Rise of the Nazi Party
Nazi Germany
Totalitarian Regime in Nazi Germany – How did Hitler consolidate power? – Mein Kampf – Nazi methods of control – Opposition to the Nazi Regime – Organisation of the Nazi Party – Fuhrerprinzip – Kristallnacht – Youth and Education – Goering and the 2nd 4 Year Plan – Anti-Jewish Boycott, 1933 – Nazi Anti-Semitism – DAF (The German Labour Front) – Propaganda in Germany 1919-39 – Economic Policy of the Nazi Party – Kreisau Circle – The Confessing Church – Catholic Church – Edelweiss Pirates
Biographies
Ludwig Beck – Dietrich Bonhoeffer – Bishop Clemens von Galen – Carl Goerdeler – Robert Ley – Helmuth von Moltke – Martin Niemoller – Erwin Rommel – Hjalmar Schacht – Sophie Scholl – Albert Speer – Claus von Stauffenberg – Fritz Todt –