What are the key characteristics of the Nazi state?

The Nazi state can be categorised in three different ways- political, social and economic.Politically, Nazi Germany was a one-party fascist dictatorship characterised by repression of opposition politicians and political movements, but you shouldn't say simply that Hitler was in charge of everything. Whilst he was all-powerful per the constitution, he was largely uninterested in the day-to-day business of government and preferred to delegate to his subordinates- this created fierce competition for the Fuhrer's favour among the Nazi higher-ups, leading to much conflict within the party elite and a somewhat disorganised government.Socially/culturally, Nazi Germany was deeply conservative, with an emphasis on 'traditional' culture and values infused with a heavy racial bent that emphasised the need for ethnic purity. Gender roles were rigidly enforced, with women expected to stay at home and raise Aryan children (values emphasised through organisations such as the League of German Girls, a Girl Scout equivalent that mainly emphasised preparing girls for motherhood) and men expected to work hard and fight for the fatherland (with the Hitler Youth indoctrinating them with martial values). Nazi propaganda, through posters, radio and films such as 'Triumph of the Will', sought to enforce Nazi ideas such as unquestioning loyalty to Hitler, hatred of Jews and the superiority of the Aryan race.Economically, Nazi Germany can be characterised as engaging in 'state capitalism', a form of capitalism where private industry and production exists but is largely controlled by the state and subordinate to its political goals (compare to modern-day China). Some have claimed that the Nazis were 'socialist' but this can be easily dismissed as big business actively supported the Nazis whereas trade unions were banned and replaced with the state-controlled German Labour Front. Hitler sought a totally economically self-sufficient Germany, a state of 'autarky', but never quite achieved it. The Nazis also made use of slave labour- labour camps were established for Jews, homosexuals, communists and other 'undesirables' to make up for a lack of available labour among the civilian populace.

Answered by Isaac B. History tutor

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