The first thing Hitler did after winning the election was to strengthen his power. He appointed Nazis to government and eliminated all opposition. By 1934, Hitler's power was secured. He had declared himself Führer - the leader of Germany.
Hitler and the Nazis had firm views on race. They felt that the German was superior to all others. Hitler was obsessed with racial purity. He used the word 'Aryan' to describe his idea of a pure German race. The Nazis believed that the Aryans had the most "pure blood" of all the people on earth. The ideal Aryan had pale skin, blond hair and blue eyes. They believed that certain groups were inferior and were a threat to the purity of the Aryan race. There were many groups who were targeted for persecution but none more so than the Jews.
How to Pronounce Führer
Hitler and the Nazis had firm views on race. They felt that the German was superior to all others. Hitler was obsessed with racial purity. He used the word 'Aryan' to describe his idea of a pure German race. The Nazis believed that the Aryans had the most "pure blood" of all the people on earth. The ideal Aryan had pale skin, blond hair and blue eyes. They believed that certain groups were inferior and were a threat to the purity of the Aryan race. There were many groups who were targeted for persecution but none more so than the Jews.
The Nazis used fear and horror against anyone who disapproved of their rule. Groups which were persecuted and killed included:
Jews
Gypsies
5000 mentally disabled babies
72,000 mentally ill patients
Physically disabled people and families with hereditary illness
People who deaf
People who deaf
Beggars, homosexuals, prostitutes, alcoholics, pacifists, hooligans and criminals
The Nazi state affected different people in different ways. As a leader, Hitler carried out his promises to the people. He increased employment and by 1939, there was virtually no official unemployment in Germany. For the majority of people, in fact, life was good. Nazi Party members were especially happy - they got all the best houses, preferential treatment, good jobs in the government and power over other people. For ordinary people, life was good too, and many Germans even today look back and remember the years before 1939 as happy years:
That is why they turned a blind eye to the fact that there are groups of people who are oppressed. There was always an undercurrent of fear, an element of unpredictability, and for persecuted groups. It was a terrible tragedy.
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