Hitler's Intentionalism

This question concerns the extent and strength of Hitler’s power and refers to the controversy concerning the efficiency of the Nazi regime; the debate between intentionalist and structuralist viewpoints. S stracturalist: To further these opinions stracturalist historians would refer to Hitler’s reliance on the power of the Gauleiter, as shown when he could not support Frick in trying to subordinate them. In 1934 the Law for the Reconstruction of the Reich meant Frick tried to put the newly created Reich Governors under his control as head of the Ministry of the Interior; thereby centralising control. It did not work because most of the governors were also Gauleiter with large local power bases. In the end Hitler agreed to place them nominally
He was the prime force in domestic and foreign policy. So important was the leadership principle that they equate Nazism with Hitlerism. * Intentionalist historians: Hugh Trevor-Roper, Alan Bullock, Jane Jenkins, Bracher, Hildebrand, Jackel * They stress the centrality of Hitler’s personality, ideas and strengths. * Regard Hitler as having predetermined goals, especially in foreign policy * Saw hostility between rival groups as being resolved solely by the Fuhrer * Hitler as central to foreign and racial
Power was distributed among many. Hitler’s own authority was only one important element

* Hitler ruled through his trusted henchman but could not ignore his dependence on the traditional elites * A radical purge of the civil service would jeopardise this relationship * The government cabinet did not operate, so the Reich Chancellery co-ordinated events, although Hitler only made decisions when absolutely necessary * Hitler’s government can be described as ‘polycratic’, where his authority was only one element * However, Hitler still expected total loyalty and that all power rested with him * There are no examples of major policy decisions by Hitler being successfully opposed by subordinates or the Party * It would be misleading to view Hitler as a weak dictator

* Only about 12 people had easy access to Hitler at all