Adolf HitlerAdolf Hitler

The Rise to PowerThe Rise to Power

The Early YearsThe Early Years

Hitler was born in Austria in 1889.Hitler was born in Austria in 1889. When he was 18, he moved to Vienna, the capital of the When he was 18, he moved to Vienna, the capital of the

multi-ethnic Hapsburg Empire. hoping to enter art multi-ethnic Hapsburg Empire. hoping to enter art school, but was rejected.school, but was rejected.

While in Vienna, Hitler was poor. He had odd jobs, but While in Vienna, Hitler was poor. He had odd jobs, but was forced to live in hostels to get by. Here he began to was forced to live in hostels to get by. Here he began to form his fanatical anti-Semitism.form his fanatical anti-Semitism.

Germans were only one of many ethnic groups in Austria. Germans were only one of many ethnic groups in Austria. Yet they felt superior to Jews, Serbs, Poles, Czechs, and Yet they felt superior to Jews, Serbs, Poles, Czechs, and others.others.

He moved to Germany, and fought as a German soldier in He moved to Germany, and fought as a German soldier in WW I, earning two medals for his service.WW I, earning two medals for his service.

After the war, Hitler remained in the Army, and was After the war, Hitler remained in the Army, and was assigned to keep tabs on political groups. One of these assigned to keep tabs on political groups. One of these groups was the National Socialist German Workers Party, groups was the National Socialist German Workers Party, or Nazi Party.or Nazi Party.

The Weimar RepublicThe Weimar Republic 1919 – A constitution is drafted in the city of Weimar to create a

democratic government to run Germany. It set up a Parliament, led by a chancellor, which is another term

for a prime minister. It was weak because like Britain and France, it had many small

parties, forcing them to establish a coalition government. The government was blamed by all Germans for agreeing to the

Treaty of Versailles. When the Republic was no longer able to pay its war debt, France

and Belgium invaded and took over the Ruhr Valley. This added to Germany’s humiliation.

When the Great Depression hit, faith in the government was gone. Germans wanted a strong leader, like Otto von Bismarck had been.

Hitler and the Nazi PartyHitler and the Nazi Party Hitler began to despise the Weimar Hitler began to despise the Weimar

government, believing it was weak government, believing it was weak and ineffectual.and ineffectual.

He joins the Nazi Party in 1919, He joins the Nazi Party in 1919, and quickly rises to the top.and quickly rises to the top.

In 1923, Hitler tries to forcibly In 1923, Hitler tries to forcibly seize power in Munich, Germany, seize power in Munich, Germany, but fails, and is arrested and but fails, and is arrested and sentenced to five years in prison.sentenced to five years in prison.

While in prison, Hitler writes his While in prison, Hitler writes his book “Mein Kampf” or “My book “Mein Kampf” or “My Struggle”, which would soon Struggle”, which would soon become the basic book of Nazi become the basic book of Nazi goals, and ideology.goals, and ideology.

Hitler leaves prison after less than Hitler leaves prison after less than a year.a year.

He realized that power was easiest He realized that power was easiest to keep and hold when it came to keep and hold when it came legally.legally.

He used the Great Depression, and He used the Great Depression, and ineffectiveness of the Weimar ineffectiveness of the Weimar government to rally workers, small-government to rally workers, small-town Germans, and business town Germans, and business leaders to his causeleaders to his cause

Mein KampfMein Kampf Reflects Hitler obsessions of extreme Reflects Hitler obsessions of extreme

nationalism, racism, and anti-nationalism, racism, and anti-Semitism.Semitism.

Germans were a Superior “master Germans were a Superior “master race” of Aryans, or light-skinned race” of Aryans, or light-skinned Europeans, whose greatest enemies Europeans, whose greatest enemies were the Jews.were the Jews.

Echoed a familiar right-wing theme, Echoed a familiar right-wing theme, that Germany had not lost the war, but that Germany had not lost the war, but had been betrayed by a conspiracy of had been betrayed by a conspiracy of Marxists, Jews, corrupt politicians, Marxists, Jews, corrupt politicians, and business leaders.and business leaders.

Urged German’s everywhere to unite Urged German’s everywhere to unite into one great nation.into one great nation.

Believe Germany needed to increase Believe Germany needed to increase it’s living space or “Lebensraum” for it’s living space or “Lebensraum” for the people.the people.

Slavs, Pols, and other inferior races Slavs, Pols, and other inferior races needed to bow to Aryan needs.needed to bow to Aryan needs.

Germany needed a strong leader or Germany needed a strong leader or “Fuhrer.”“Fuhrer.”

The Great DepressionThe Great Depression By 1930 the Great Depression had crippled the By 1930 the Great Depression had crippled the

German economy.German economy. The Weimar government is ineffective. The The Weimar government is ineffective. The

German people want help and change. Hitler German people want help and change. Hitler and the Nazi’s offer a better future.and the Nazi’s offer a better future.

Nazi Party wins 107 seats in the Reichstag, Nazi Party wins 107 seats in the Reichstag, becoming the second largest political party.becoming the second largest political party.

The General Staff supports Hitler for his pro The General Staff supports Hitler for his pro military views. Industrialists believe he will be military views. Industrialists believe he will be good for business.good for business.

1932 Adolf Hitler runs for President of Germany 1932 Adolf Hitler runs for President of Germany against Paul Von Hindenburg.against Paul Von Hindenburg.

Josef Goebbels runs a furious propaganda Josef Goebbels runs a furious propaganda campaign in support of Hitler. Hitler loses campaign in support of Hitler. Hitler loses election and subsequent run-off election, but election and subsequent run-off election, but has gained vast support among the German has gained vast support among the German public.public.

1933 Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of 1933 Adolf Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany.Germany.

Hitler Solidifies PowerHitler Solidifies Power The SA and SS have free rein in Prussia. Hitler uses the Reichstag fire as the

reason to attack Communists, and further restrict freedoms.

1933 New Reichstag grants Hitler- Dictator of Germany.

Gestapo is created – secret police. Nazi government replaces Weimar

government. Nuremburg Laws – Restrict Jewish

population. First of over 400 laws against Jews that would be passed during the Reich.

First detention/concentration camps open.

“Night of Long Knives” purge of SA leaders, and other opposition opponents.

1934 Paul Von Hindenburg dies. Hitler becomes “Fuhrer of the German Reich”

The Third ReichThe Third Reich Social - Nationalism

- Indoctrination of youth - Removal of freedom in the arts.

Political - Totalitarianism

Economic - Large social work programs

- Rearming of military.

Religious/Ethnic - Anti-Semitism, racism, and control of Christian beliefs.

Military - Rebuffing the Treaty of Versailles, Rearming of military.

- Military expansion

Social PolicySocial Policy Like Fascists in Italy, Hitler Like Fascists in Italy, Hitler

sought to indoctrinate youth sought to indoctrinate youth with Nazi ideology.with Nazi ideology.

In schools and camps the In schools and camps the “Hitler Youth” pledged “Hitler Youth” pledged absolute loyalty to Germany absolute loyalty to Germany and Hitler himself, while and Hitler himself, while undertaking physical fitness undertaking physical fitness programs to prepare for war.programs to prepare for war.

The role of women in Nazi The role of women in Nazi Germany is limited. Dismissed Germany is limited. Dismissed from jobs and universities, from jobs and universities, women are encouraged to raise women are encouraged to raise “pure-blooded” Aryan children.“pure-blooded” Aryan children.

Purged offensive Art from Purged offensive Art from German culture: jazz music, German culture: jazz music, modern art. Offensive modern art. Offensive literature had to go too, literature had to go too, especially if written by Jews. especially if written by Jews. Book burnings took place Book burnings took place across Germany.across Germany.

PoliticalPolitical

A Totalitarian State was created with A Totalitarian State was created with Hitler and the leader.Hitler and the leader.

Order is kept by a brutal system of Order is kept by a brutal system of terror and repression.terror and repression.

All areas of German life are controlled All areas of German life are controlled by the government including religion by the government including religion and education.and education.

Elite SS troops enforce the Fuhrer’s Elite SS troops enforce the Fuhrer’s will.will.

The Gestapo (secret police) discover The Gestapo (secret police) discover any hidden opposition.any hidden opposition.

Outside of Germany, Western Nations Outside of Germany, Western Nations offer only appeasementoffer only appeasement towards Hitler. towards Hitler. Believing that the Communists were a Believing that the Communists were a greater threat than Adolf Hitler.greater threat than Adolf Hitler.

EconomicEconomic

Hitler launched massive Hitler launched massive public works programs to public works programs to drastically decrease drastically decrease unemployment. (roads, unemployment. (roads, housing, and replanting of housing, and replanting of forests).forests).

Began to rearm the German Began to rearm the German military in direct violation military in direct violation of the Treaty of Versailles.of the Treaty of Versailles.

Brings big business and Brings big business and labor under government labor under government control, but keeps control, but keeps capitalism.capitalism.

Workers offered vigorous Workers offered vigorous outdoor vacations that just outdoor vacations that just happens to help them be happens to help them be physically fit forphysically fit for war. war.

Religion and Ethnic GroupsReligion and Ethnic Groups

Passed laws restricting Jews Passed laws restricting Jews behavior:behavior:

Prohibited Jews from marring Prohibited Jews from marring non-Jews.non-Jews.

Forced Jews out of schools, Forced Jews out of schools, teaching positions, government teaching positions, government jobs, etc..jobs, etc..

November 7, 1938 the “Night of November 7, 1938 the “Night of Broken Glass” or Broken Glass” or “Kristallnacht”. Jews across “Kristallnacht”. Jews across Germany are attacked by SA and Germany are attacked by SA and SS troops.SS troops.

Jews sent to concentration Jews sent to concentration camps.camps.

Combined all the Protestant Combined all the Protestant churches into one State church.churches into one State church.

Muzzled the Catholic church Muzzled the Catholic church within Germany.within Germany.

MilitaryMilitary Hitler needed the support of the General Staff, and Hitler needed the support of the General Staff, and

the 100,000 man Army.the 100,000 man Army. Rebuffs the Treaty of Versailles.Rebuffs the Treaty of Versailles. Promotes the rearming of German forces.Promotes the rearming of German forces. Promotes the conquest of neighboring lands; Austria, Promotes the conquest of neighboring lands; Austria,

Sudetenland, Rhineland.Sudetenland, Rhineland.