The Topography of Terror and the Nazi Party in Berlin
The Topography of Terror offers significant exhibits from Berlin's Nazi era. Numerous elements of the behavior and rise of the Nazi party have stood out the most as a result of these exhibitions.
The Impact of the Global Economic Crisis
Most importantly, it is clear that the global economic crisis that Germany experienced beginning in 1929 played a significant role in the development and behavior of the Nazi party, particularly in Berlin. Berlin is technically part of the Weimar Republic, but in 1929 it was negatively impacted by the impacts of the last crisis.
As a result, the city had huge unemployment rates, which nearly caused the collapse of most important sectors. For instance, about 2800 people lost their jobs (Gitti 1). Most of the largest firm in the city, such as Borsig, which was one of the biggest suppliers of locomotives, collapsed. Furthermore, the leaders of this city, including the mayor, were engaged in corruption scandals. Subsequently, the people lost trust in their political leaders. For a long time, the Nazi party had failed to secure seats in Berlin, but due to the rise in the financial crisis, it won most of the seats. In this respect, it won major seats on Berlin's council for the first time. Most of the people in Berlin had little faith in the democratic process and they started voting for anti-democratic parties such as the Nazi Party (Gitti 2).
Joseph Goebbels and the Nazi Party Victory
Joseph Goebbels led the Nazi party to this important victory and was able to also win the public trust. For a long time, the party had failed to penetrate Berlin as compared to other Reich in Germany. The Nazi party also utilized the corruption scandals leveled against the city mayor and other leaders in Berlin. In addition, they began racial profiling, especially against the Jews. Interestingly, the city mayor had Jewish roots. Therefore, they launched an election campaign based on an anti-Semitic agenda. In this regard, they blamed the economic crisis in the city to have been caused by the Jews in leadership positions and in the financial sector (Gitti 3).
Hitler's Rise to Power and Dictatorship in Berlin
After 1932, the Nazi party appointed Adolf Hitler as the Chancellor of the German Reich in Berlin.
Concentration of Power and Suppression of Rights
After Hitler assumed power as the Chancellor of German Reich, he concentrated more power. In addition, he destructed the structures of democracy in the country as well as the principles of rule of law. For instance, some of the fundamental rights of the people were suspended in order to enable attack their challengers. The rising terror in the city streets of Berlin contributed to multiple cases of murders, maltreatment, and arrests. The Nazi government established institutions such as Secret State Police Office intending to catalyze the persecution of opponents (Gitti 5). Similarly, freedom of assembly and speech were outlawed. Furthermore, the national parliament lost its powers leading to the formation of a one-party state. All the German states lost their power and sovereignty as the capital city turned out to be the center of authority and power. Hitler's dictatorship was further raised after the death of President Hindenburg in 1934.
Propaganda, Populism, and Suppression of Media
The anti-democratic principles were enhanced through propaganda and populism. The free and independent media could not work because it was regulated by the government. All aspects of German culture reflected the ideological principles of the Nazi party (Gitti 10). The Nazis exercised their authority through immense destruction of political rivals.
Work Cited
Gitti Salami. “Topography of terror.” Gestapo, SS and Reichssicherheitshauptamt on the” Prinz-Albrecht-Terrain (1989).
