Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany Chapter 13 Section 5

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany I. The Weimar Republic’s Rise and Fall • At the end of WWI, Germany was on the brink of chaos • Kaiser (German name for king) Wilhelm abdicated or stepped down (unpopular) • Germany was then forced to face the Treaty of Versailles head on and accept the blame for WWI • A new German govt. was created it was called the Weimar Republic and it was lead by a…. • CHANCELLOR- prime minister • The republic faced severe problems from the start

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany • Weimar Republic weak from the start • Lots of in-fighting in the new govt.; the new govt. was blamed for the signing of the Treaty of Versailles • German Jews blamed for both economic and political problems in Germany • In 1923, Germany fell behind in war reparation payments • As a result, France occupied the coal-rich RUHR VALLEY • German workers refused to work under the French occupation • To solve the problem, the Weimar Republic printed money to continue to pay the workers • Soon inflation hit (so much money it no longer had value) • The German Mark became almost worthless • 84,000 fifty-million mark notes = $1 US

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany • With help from the Western powers (Britain, France and the U.S.) inflation brought back under control • War reparations were reduced to help Germany get back on their feet • France withdrew from the Ruhr Valley • Germany slowly recovers then…. • The Great Depression will hit Germany; reviving Germany’s memories of misery

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany II. Nazi Party Rise to Power • Adolf Hitler born in Austria in 1889 • Age 18 he moved to Vienna • There he learned many of his racial views towards Jews, Serbs, Poles, and other groups (Non-Germans) • Fought in WWI (Germany) • Like most Germans, he blamed the Weimar Republic for the countries problems post WWI • After the war, he joined a political party and became involved in politics • Within a year, he became leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany • Hitler organized like Mussolini did, a combat squad called “storm troopers” • Later called the Gestapo, then the “SS” • Wrote a book, “Mein Kampf” (My struggle) • In it, Hitler talks of extreme nationalism, racism, and anti-Semitism (hatred of Jews) • Describes Germans as the “Master Race” • Blames the Jews for the horrible condition of Germany • Calls for all Germans to unite into one great nation • Also calls for “Lebensraum” or living space (Germany must expand and become bigger)

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany • Hitler’s first attempt to take power fails • Called the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923 • Poorly planned and led; Hitler arrested and sent to jail; treason • A year later he was released from prison • Got back into politics • The Great Depression then hit Germany (poor and chaotic times) • That gave Hitler his chance

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany • His National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZIS) became more and more popular • Promised to end war reparations, create jobs and defy the Treaty of Versailles by rearming Germany • Hitler was an excellent speaker and was a symbol of power and strength in a time of German weakness • People flocked to him….by 1933 Hitler was voted Chancellor of Germany through legal means

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany III. The Third Reich Controls Germany • Once in office, Hitler and the Nazi’s sought to consolidate all power inside and outside of govt. • Hitler called for a renewed sense of nationalism • Under Hitler, Germany formed what was called the…. • THIRD REICH- German master race that would dominate Europe for 1,000 years • Like Mussolini and Stalin, Hitler took complete control of his citizens everyday life

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany • He created jobs by building houses, highways, and replanting forests • Rebuilt German military; stopped war reparation payments (Defying the Treaty of Versailles) • Used his GESTAPO- secret police, to root out opposition and to maintain control • Enemies and critics soon arrested and or killed • Hitler then created the NUREMBURG LAWS- deprived Jews of German citizenship and place severe restrictions on them • Had to wear the “Star of David” on their clothing, Jews could not marry non-Jews, could not attend German schools, and could not hold govt. jobs

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany • Kristallnacht or “nigh of the broken glass” came next (1938) • Nazi-led mobs attacked Jewish communities all over Germany • Goal was to eliminate Jews from German society….(Final Solution will come later) • Hitler also created the “Hitler Youth” • Indoctrinated young people with Nazi ideology; taught prejudice against the Jews, discipline, order and military techniques • Women’s roles were limited like in Mussolini’s Italy

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany • Hitler also sought to replace religion with Nazi culture IV. Authoritarian Rule in Eastern Europe • The rest of Eastern Europe (the countries carved out of old Russian, Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman and German Empires) also struggled after WWI • Most of the countries were small and had very little in terms of natural resources or knowledge of the democratic process • Inequality was rampant • The Great Depression also affected them • Strong ethnic rivalries • Seen as easy / tempting targets for Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin to expand their countries….leads to WWII

Ingredients for aTotalitarian State Cake!! • Single-party DICTATORSHIP with blind obedience to a SINGLE LEADER • STATE CONTROL OF ECONOMY • Use of POLICE SPIES AND TERROR to enforce the will of the state • Government control of the media to indoctrinate and control citizens through PROPAGANDA • Use of schools and youth organizations to spread ideologies to children **INDOCRINATE THE YOUTH • Strict CENSORSHIP of artists, writers, and intellectuals with dissenting opinions

Mix well and bake at 350* for a scrumptiousTOTALITARIAN STATE CAKE!!

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany