Reasons for Nazi Success in Maintining Control

From the 30th of January 1933, it was only a year before the Nazis would consolidate every institution within Germany. This consolidation brought the Trade Unions, the Civil Service, the legal system, the states, the political parties and the German Army under Nazi control. Such a fundamental change begs the question of the Nazis succeeded in maintaining such immense power over Germany. Historians such as Martin Broszat (Llewellyn, 2013) have argued it was primarily the exploitation of psychological and physical force through the propaganda machine and the use of armed forces. Others such as David Irving argue that it was the colossal popular appeal for the Nazi policies that allowed them to maintain control over Germany (Llewellyn, 2013). The popular appeal of the Nazis was undeniable. However, it has become evident through hindsight that popular appeal did not always prevail, and in these circumstances the Nazis were quick to summon the propaganda machine to psychologically enforce and implement their policies, through fear and intimidation. Moreover, it was often the use of physical force and coercion that allowed for the new regime to create popular appeal which in turn kept the Nazis in power. Contrary to the statement, it is futile to divorce these perspectives, as their interdependence is primary in ascertaining how the Nazis remained in power. In order to understand this, it is vital to analyse the change in the lives of certain groups within Germany.
Women during the Weimar Republic had experienced their first breakthrough with equality. Despite much of the ‘New Woman’ myth in Weimar being media-generated, it was a considerable progression in the status of women. The constitution had granted them absolute equality, the right to vote, hold public office, and there were more female parliament members in Germany than any other European country. However the rise of the Nazis was to backpedal on any advances made in expediting the role of women in society.