hitler’s rise to power. nazis grow in popularity german economy began to recover in the...
TRANSCRIPT
Hitler’s Rise to Power
Nazis grow in Popularity
• German economy began to recover in the late-1920’s.
• Until…… Stock Market Crashed in 1929– Germany one of the hardest hit by the Great
Depression
Nazis Grow in Popularity
• Economic problems increase popularity of Nazi party– Hitler leads the party
• 1930-1932 series of emergency elections called– Nazis gain seats in each election
The Mind of a Nazi
• Twenty Five Points (party platform)• Common Characteristics of Nazi Thinking:
– Irrationality: • Appeal to emotion, not always based on fact, often promotes
the idea of a violent struggle (ex. Mein Kampf means “my struggle”)
– Racism and Anti-Semitism • Influenced by “Social Darwinism”, Jews depicted as a race
rather than a religion
– Blood and Soil • Lebensraum “Living Space”• Volk, need for more land
The Mind of a Nazi
• Common Characteristics of Nazi thinking– Cult of Leadership
• Authoritarian government with charismatic leadership, Hitler the “savior” of Germany and father figure
– Fascist view of state• Well-being of the state/country comes first• Sacrifice personal liberty for well-being of nation• State seen as a living thing that must be protected
at all cost
Nazis Grow in Popularity
• Hitler looks for ways to increase power of Nazis
• Supported by soldiers called SA– Led by Ernst Rohm
Hitler’s bid for Presidency
• 1932, Hitler ran against Hindenburg for Presidency
• Too close in original vote
• Hindenburg wins second vote
1932
• 1932 was a turbulent year for politics in Germany– 4 emergency elections held in one year
• By November, Nazis were the largest party in the Reichstag
• Hindenburg approaches Hitler about a position in the government– He refuses to accept any office lower than the
Chancellor
Crooked Politics
• Hindenburg old and needs a strong Chancellor– Not yet ready to give the job to Hitler
• Other politicians compete for the position– Von Schleiker and Von Pappen– Enemies and neither is willing to see the other
as Chancellor
Control Hitler???
• Eventually, Pappen approaches the President about making Hitler Chancellor– They believed they could control him– Hindenburg is tired and easily convinced
January 30, 1933- Hitler appointed Chancellor of Germany
Hitler as Chancellor
• Immediately begins formulating plans and making policy
• Looks for ways to increase power of Nazi Party– Opportunity arises with a “Crisis” soon after
Hitler becomes Chancellor
Reichstag Fire
• February 26, 1933
• Dutch Communist sets Reichstag building on fire
• Hitler uses this as opportunity to increase his own power– Hindenburg gives him the power to use force
to protect the society and go after the “bad guys”
Hitler gains Dictatorial Powers
• President gives Hitler control, but he still needs the Reichstag’s support
• Nazis= 43% of Reichstag– Hitler still needs votes to gain a majority– Cuts a deal with the Catholic Center Party
• Reichstag passes Enabling Act to give Hitler dictatorial powers under article 48 of the Weimar Constitution
Hitler gains Dictatorial Powers
• Hitler outlaws the Communist Party– Claims it is to protect Germany from future
attacks
• Begins “Meshing of the Gears” to bring the rest of Germany under Nazi control
• The only check left on his power is Hindenburg
Hitler becomes Der Fuhrer
• 1934: Hindenburg dies
• Hitler merges the office of Chancellor with the office of Presidency and assumes total control of Germany
• Reshapes German society to fit Nazi ideologies
Meshing of the Gears
• Goebbels takes over as Propaganda Minister– Uses press to shape the minds of the German people– VERY successful
• Nazis control press and will run Germany’s only national newspaper– Censor what is published and how stories are
covered– Papers that fail to follow Nazi policies are shut down
Meshing of the Gears
• Propaganda used to build support for Nazi policies
• Film industry used as well
• Nationalistic films, documentaries about Nazis, etc.
Meshing of the Gears
• Nazi institutions replace all parts of society
• Police are replaced or incorporated into Gestapo
• Gestapo led by Reinhard Heydrich– Posterboy for Nazis
• Blonde, blue eyed, cultured• MURDERER!!!
Heydrich
Meshing of the Gears
• Focus on Young people– Hitler Youth (for boys)– League of German Girls (for females)
• Education reshaped to reflect Nazi ideologies• Old teachers “retire” and younger teachers take
over• Curriculum revamped
– Eugenics, Anti-Semitism, German History, etc.
Meshing of the Gears
• Nazis infiltrate the military
• Begin to build an air force– Luftwaffe
• Hermann Goring
• SS become the elites of the German military– Led by Heinrich
Himmler
Eliminating threats
• Hitler also begins process to eliminate threats to his power
• Night of Long Knives– June 30, 1934– AKA Operation Bumblebee– SS and Gestapo murder 300 SA– Ernst Rohm among the victims
Eliminating Threats
• Construction of Concentration Camps began
• Originally created for Political opponents NOT Jews– Communists, etc.
• Dachau- the Model Camp
Eliminating Threats
• Nazi policies eventually start to target Jews
• Policies evolve over years to become more violent