In what way did the nazi state seek to establish total control over the population?
Answers
Terror
The Nazi state was built on terror. The people was supposed to live in fear. Constant fear. To inflict fear the Gestapo punished people by torture and death in an almost random way. Everyone should now that a critical word could be enough to give you a one way ticket to a Concentration Camp or just some torture by the Gestapo and then a fast execution.
Secret police
The secret police, Gestapo, were present everywhere and worked by a large network of informers. Anyone could be an informer and any crime, like just minor doubts, could be enough to make the Gestapo come and get you.
Why would someone turn you in? Maybe because they were Nazi fanatics or maybe just because they disliked you. This made people distrust each other. An angry old man who complains about your family behaviour could be a querulant but if he turn you in? Once the Gestapo has got you in for interrogations you would face torture and death. Maybe the best option was a preemptive strike and turn the old man in. Anonymous of course. No one needs to know. Ops! You are suddenly also an informer.
Totalitarianism
The state expanded to control all aspects of life. All organisations were set under Nazi control. (Only the Catholic Church remained a bit independent). All employers were set under Nazi control. If the Nazi regime wanted to punish you they did not have to send the Gestapo. The state had other methods. Actually the state had an almost indefinite number of ways to harass people they did not like
Hitler, after coming to power, emerged as an all powerful dictator. He destroyed democracy in Germany. (i) The First Fire decree in 1933 suspended the civic, rights like freedom of speech, press and assembly and thus controlled the German population. (ii) The Enabling Act was passed. It gave all powers to Hitler to Sideline Parliament and rule by decree. (Ill) All political parties except the Nazi Party were banned. All political opponents were imprisoned or assassinated. (iv) The communists were suppressed and sent to concentration camps. (v) Special security forces such as the SA, SS, SD and Gestapo were created to control and order society in ways that the Nazis wanted. These forces were given extra constitutional powers. (vi) In schools children were taught to be loyal and submissive hate Jews and worship Hitler. (vii) Nazi youth organizations, the like 'Jungvolk' and 'Hitler Youth' were created where the youth were taught to worship war and Hitler and hate democracy, communism and Jews. (viii) Media was used carefully to win the support for Hitler and Nazism. Nazi ideas were spread through visual images films, radio, posters and catchy slogans and leaflets.