160 likes | 324 Views
The Rise of Adolf Hitler. Setting the Stage: World War I. In 1919 Germany is forced to accept the terms of the Treaty of Versailles War Guilt Clause : blame Loss of land ( colonies ) and money ( reparations ) Disarmament Had to form a democracy: Weimar Republic .
E N D
Setting the Stage: World War I • In 1919 Germany is forced to accept the terms of the Treaty of Versailles • War Guilt Clause: blame • Loss of land (colonies) and money (reparations) • Disarmament • Had to form a democracy: Weimar Republic
The Rise of the Nazi Party • In 1920, Hitler helps form the Nazi Party • Beer Hall Putsch: Hitler and and his Nazis try to overthrow the new democracy in a large beer hall in Munich • 16 men are killed • Hitler flees and is later arrested on high treason
The Rise of the Nazi Party • While in prison, Hitler writes “Mein Kampf” • Learns he must destroy democracy from within • Serves 8 months and is released
Hitler Takes Control • In 1925, Paul von Hindenburg elected President of the Weimar Republic • By 1932, the Nazi party had become the largest party in the Reichstag (38% majority) • Hitler appointed chancellor in 1933 • Second in command
Hitler Takes Control • In February 1933, the Reichstag burns down • Blamed on Communists • Reichstag responds by suppressing communists and others • Passed the “Enabling Act”transfers power to the president • In 1934, Hindenburg dies and Hitler is declared “The Fuhrer” (dictator)
Prelude to the Holocaust & WWII • Anti-Semitism, or hatred of Jews, already existed in the hearts of many Europeans • Nuremberg Laws were passed allowing the government to legally discriminate against Jews
Prelude to the Holocaust & WWII • Examples of Nuremberg Laws: • Jews were stripped of German citizenship • Marriage between Jews and Germans was forbidden • Jews were excluded from public office, practicing law, medicine, and teaching • Jews had curfews, had to wear a yellow star for public ID • Allowed for open and legal terrorism against Jews
Prelude to the Holocaust & WWII • Nuremberg Laws led to a three-step process: • Development of Jewish ghettos in cities • Concentration Camps became sites of forced labor and murder • Genocidemass killing of over 6 million Jews
Kristallnacht • 1938 • The Night of Broken Glass • Anti-Semitic riots in Germany and Austria • 30,000 Jews rounded up and taken to concentration camps • Homes, businesses, and synagogues destroyed
World War II Begins • In 1939, Hitler invades Poland and starts WWII • Continues efforts to unite all people of German blood or Aryans under the “Master Race” • Empire is known as the Third Reich
Result? • Hitler used democracy to destroy democracy. Once he became “der Fuhrer”, he ruled Germany as a ruthless dictator and used his power to take over several countries and murder millions