Final answer:
The phrase "working toward the Führer" indicated a principle in Nazi Germany where individuals and officials were to autonomously interpret and apply policies according to what they believed matched Adolf Hitler's wishes, reinforcing his autocratic power.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase "working toward the Führer" refers to the governing principle within Nazi Germany where the actions and policies of the government and its officials were guided by an attempt to anticipate and enact the will of Adolf Hitler without direct orders. Essentially, it meant that civil servants, military personnel, and Nazi party officials were expected to interpret and implement policy based on what they believed would adhere to the ideology and desires of Hitler, who was the embodiment of the Nazi state. This concept reinforced the central role of Hitler within the National Socialist framework and aimed to create a government that was always aligned with his leadership and principles.
As seen in the tumultuous organization of the Nazi government, with its overlapping bureaucracies and absence of clear laws, this expression provides insight into how the regime operated on the basis of loyalty and initiative toward the Führer rather than through structured political processes.
Also, in the Nazi propaganda targeted at various social groups, citizens were urged to align their actions and attitudes with the objectives of the regime and to demonstrate their allegiance to Hitler. In this environment, being proactive in aligning oneself with the perceived wishes of Hitler became a cultural and political expectation.