Germany & Adolf Hitler

February 27, 2013

After WWI• Germany has a democracy• But…Economic troubles (no $$$)

– Reparation (pay for WWI)– Great Depression

• Want REVENGE – and new gov’t to fix problems

Anti-Democratic Parties

• National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZI)– Anti-communist/ anti-Semitic

• All about promoting GERMANY– NATIONALISM

• Supreme Race – Aryan – Destined to rule world

• Leader of the NAZI Party - Adolf Hitler (1921)

Adolf Hitler Bio• Born in Austria• Dropped out of high school at age 16• Rejected TWICE from Academy of Art

school• Lived on streets• Painted post cards• GREAT speaker

– Speeches against Jews in male homeless shelters

• Moved to Munich right before WWI– Joined German Army– Won Iron Cross

After WWI…Hitler is angry/ bitter• 1921: Head of NAZI Party• 1923: Rebellion to overthrow gov’t

– ARRESTED• Writes Mein Kampf (My Struggle)

– Explanations for problems of Germany

– Blueprint of his hatreds & plans for world domination

– Anti-Semetic/ Blames Jews for losing WWI/ bad economy

• Unemployment

• Homelessness

• HungerRISE IN NAZI PARTY

Hitler continued…March 4, 2013

• By 1933 – Nazi Party most powerful political party

– President makes Hitler Chancellor

• 1935: Hitler combines roles of President/ Chancellor & declares self sole leader

– Called “Fuhrer” (the Leader)

– Ruled without Reichstag (Parliament)

• Hitler promises Germany will RISE AGAIN

Immediately goes against Versailles Treaty

1. Rearms military

2. Expands Germany (Sudetenland)

3. Rebuilds infrastructure (Roads/ highways, etc).

• ENDS DEPRESSION

– TIME “Man of the Year” (1938)

• Germans LOVE Hitler– Jobs– $$$

But…• Brainwashed/ Propaganda

– Newspapers censored• Controlled education

– Nazi Youth Group• Terrify into Silence

– Secret Police• No other political parties• Jews sent to “work” camps Hitler on war

“Victor will not be asked afterwards whether he told the truth or not…It is not RIGHT that matters, but VICTORY”