This page considers decision-making in the Third Reich, including the debate about whether Hitler was a strong leader or in fact a weak dictator that was beholden to other interests.

1. Hitler: strong leader
or weak dictator –
decision making in
the Third Reich

2. Decision making in Nazi
Germany was not a simple
process. There was a complex
map of different groups and
individuals that wielded power.
Ultimately Hitler was in final
charge of major decisions,
however there is a debate about
the extent to which he chose
these outcomes, or was
influenced in achieving them.

3. Each part of the German
government was headed by a
minister that was responsible
for overseeing its daily running.
In addition, the states were run
by governors, who were often
given the choice to make final
judgements for their areas.
Individuals such as Police Chief
Himmler were powerful too.

4. Hitler paid little attention to
detail or the day-to-day
running of Germany. As such it
was difficult to know what
actions he wanted taken.
Often ministers would fight to
persuade Hitler to support
their idea, and this consent
might be given without
anything in writing, including a
grunt of agreement.

5. Running the government in this
manner led to huge
contradictions, which people
could choose to exploit.
At times Hitler might agree
with different ministers,
leading to confusion about
who truly represented the
Fuhrer’s will. Some people may
have even pretended to have
Hitler’s approval.

6. Some historians have claimed
that the Holocaust was caused
by this confused system of
governance and decision making.
Hitler’s ministers – rivals for
attention and patronage – sought
to act in such a way that would
please him. Even without a
specific legal order, they
pursued the Final Solution.

7. There are three schools of
thought surrounding Hitler’s
overall influence in Third Reich
decision making:
• Hitler was a strong leader
who made all decisions
• Hitler was easily led and was
relatively weak
• Hitler was the leader but the
specific policies were not his

8. Hitler was a strong leader
Without Hitler, there is no Nazi
Party. He was the key agent
who oversaw its rise.
Hitler’s power was absolute. He
had a clear plan for Germany
and was ruthless in achieving
this. If Hitler wanted action,
then it happened; failure was
not acceptable.

9. Hitler was a weak dictator
Hitler was the Nazis’
figurehead – but generally he
was not involved in decision
making.
Key ministers – and state
governors – made all actual
policy decisions because Hitler
was unwilling or
unconcerned about doing so.

10. Hitler’s leadership is complex
Hitler was a strong leader,
without whom the Nazis were
nothing. He set forward a clear
vision of the Germany that he
wanted to see.
However Hitler left the details
to key ministers and the states,
allowing them to propose
action they believed he wanted.

11. Historians’ views
• Roderick Stackelberg: The linchpin of the Nazi system of rule
was Adolf Hitler, who made or approved all final decisions on
matters of strategy and policy.
• Hans Mommsen: Hitler was insecure and he was unwilling to
make decisions. He was so concerned with his own popularity
that he tended to agree with the last person he talked to.
• Mary Fulbrook: The complexity of Hitler’s regime meant that
his ‘will’ alone was the only decisive factor, meaning he got his
way on racial and foreign policy.