Download Hitler`s Domestic Policies, 1933 – 39 Markscheme Notes 15

Hitler’s Domestic Policies, 1933 – 39
Markscheme Notes
15. Compare and contrast the domestic policies of Hitler and Mussolini. (May 2010)
Comparison: both authoritarian rulers, both fostered a Cult of Personality/strong leadership.
Hitler – Fuhrer, Mussolini – Duce. Both used coercion and terror to control potential opposition
(GESTAPO/OVRA). Both used propaganda effectively. Both attempted to reach
accommodation with the Church. Education was controlled and Youth movements were
established to indoctrinate the young. Leisure activities were also influenced by the government.
Both focused on the economy but the levels of government intervention varied (Four Year Plan,
Corporate state, search Autarky).
Contrast: Hitler’s domestic policies were underpinned by his desire to establish the racially pure
Volksgemeinschaft. From 1935 anti-semitic legislation was passed to marginalise the Jews, in
Italy Mussolini did not introduce anti-semitic policies until 1937, they were not rigorously applied.
The main contrast was the level of personal power, Hitler and the Nazis were totally dominant
whereas in Italy traditional power centres such as the Church and to a lesser extent the
monarchy remained influential.
Do not demand all the above, and accept other domestic policies. If only Hitler or Mussolini is
addressed, mark out of a maximum of [7 marks].
16. Compare and contrast the repressive policies of Hitler and Stalin. (May 2009)
Both Hitler and Stalin were, and still are, notorious for their terror and repression, but to obtain a
good mark, specific details must be presented as evidence. Candidates will probably know this
subject well. Some suggestions follow, but do not expect them all to be addressed.
For comparison:
both used terror for support, against opponents, and to bolster their regimes; collapse of the
justice system; concentration or work camps; inmates forced to work; many were executed,
killed or died of camp conditions; opposed Jews and religion; purged part of the army;
censorship imposed; arts made to conform; brutality and fear were always present.
For contrast:
Jews were main targets of Hitler, political opponents of Stalin; Hitler sent Jews to concentration
camps without trial, Stalin conducted “show trials”; apart from the “Night of the long knives”,
Hitler did not persecute Nazis, Stalin purged many of
his Bolshevik supporters; Nazi camp work was for war, weapons etc., Stalin’s camp work was
often on infrastructure; Stalin imposed collectivisation and persecuted those who opposed it,
Hitler did not; Stalin opposed all religions, Hitler had a state church.
[17+ marks] for in-depth analytical comparison and contrast.
17. Compare and contrast the social and economic policies of Hitler and Mussolini. (Nov
2008)
Candidates should closely examine the policies of both leaders in the areas of religion, youth,
media, women, anti-Semitism, education, the Dopolavoro, KDF, etc . Economic policies would
include the Corporate State, The Ministry of Corporations, autarky, the Vidoni Law, Schacht and
Göring’s plans, the German Labour Front, etc.
Do not expect all of the above but ensure that candidates have a comparative framework.
[17+ marks] for fully analytical and relevant answers with detail, insight, perceptive
comments and perhaps different interpretations, which address all aspects of the question.
19. Compare and contrast the domestic policies of Hitler and Stalin up to the outbreak of
the Second World War. (Nov 2006)
Comparison could include totalitarian policies, treatment of opposition, emphasis on heavy
industry and armament, indoctrination, censorship and propaganda. Contrast could include
agriculture, industry (Hitler’s dealing with industrialists and Stalin’s five year plans). AntiSemitism and racial policies are also relevant. Education, religion and the arts could also be
variously assessed.
[17+ marks] for fully analytical and relevant answers with detail, insight, perceptive
comments and perhaps different interpretations, which address all aspects of the question.
18. Compare and contrast totalitarian rule in Hitler’s Germany and Mussolini’s Italy, up to
1939. (May 05)
Candidates need to do more than state that Mussolini was not as bad as Hitler. The years to
consider are 1922 - Mussolini appointed prime minister, or 1925/6 when dictatorship was more
or less established - to 1939, for Italy, and 1933 when Hitler was appointed Chancellor, to 1939
for Germany. Some areas to compare and contrast are: nature of fascism; form of rule; nature
and strength of opposition; treatment of opposition; finance and the economy; trade unions and
big business; education and the arts; terror and the police state; religion; the Jews. Do not
expect all the above to be covered.
[17+ marks] for perceptive analysis which includes different interpretations in the
comparison.