The Third Reich managed to leave a favorable impression
with some observers abroad who regard the darker sides as regrettable
but view them as understandable in a time of transition, as normal in
a process of such deep changes in the state. It was especially the terror
that was conceived by many observers abroad as a passing feature. The
wording of the leaders of the regime about the least bloody revolution
of all times have had an impact and many tend to regard the terror acts
that become known all the time as a part of “imaginary tales of
horror”. It was only the incitement against Jews that reached a
new peak last summer and lead to the Nuremberg
Laws, that shook at least a part of public opinion in the world.
However it is not only the terror against the Jews. Terror is not only
a result of the racial foundations of the Nazi
Party program, it is an important (and essential) part of the totality
of the regime in the Third Reich. Next to the “modern” methods
of mass propaganda, it is the decisive measure of this extensive and
unscrupulous control over the people. Without it the Third Reich would
not exist this long and would not be conceivable at all. This is often
overlooked abroad. They don't know that aside from the terror against
the Jews there is a reign of general terror, encompassing the whole
German people, and that is vehemently used against all those who despite
the murder, torture and incarceration dare to secretly act according
to their convictions.
The terror in its entirety, in its inhuman harshness
is not only concealed from people abroad. There are even circles in
Germany who are practically unaware of it. It is not uncommon for a
citizen who is uninterested in politics, but in no way enthusiastic
about the regime, who avoids any Nazi flag he would have to salute,
to ask with an undertone of reproach “But do you personally know
any people who are still in concentration camp (meaning from the days
of the seizure of power in 1933)”.
And when one then names only those Reichstag members
such as Dr. Schumacher, Dr. Mierendorff, Heilmann and mentions the tragic
end of Husemann who was shot in spring 1935 “while attempting to
escape”, these people are shocked by such revelations.