The Nazi State and German Society: A Brief History With Documents

The Nazi State and German Society invites students to view the history of the twentieth century’s most infamous totalitarian regime through the voices of people who experienced it. Robert Moeller’s comprehensive introduction presents an overview of the Nazi regime, from Weimar to the end of the war, explaining the factors that led millions of ordinary Germans to sacrifice individual rights in the interest of collective goals and national security. The effects of Nazi rule on Aryans, Jews, and other "undesirables" are explored, along with a discussion of why so few people organized against the regime. Over 50 documents from a broad range of perspectives — including speeches, memoirs, letters, diaries, and propaganda posters — bring this history to life and illustrate the effect of Nazi rule on German society. Document headnotes, a chronology, questions for consideration, and a selected bibliography provide pedagogical support.