170 likes | 378 Views
Adolf Hitler, Der Fuhrer. A Bit of Background. Born in Braunau am Inn, Austria on April 20th, 189l His family was working-peasant class His father dies in 1903 (leaving Hitler as head of the household) and his mother 1907 (of very painful cancer). Background Continued.
E N D
A Bit of Background • Born in Braunau am Inn, Austria on April 20th, 189l • His family was working-peasant class • His father dies in 1903 (leaving Hitler as head of the household) and his mother 1907 (of very painful cancer)
Background Continued • Hitler dreamed of being an artist, but is rejected twice by the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts. • Hitler attempts to join the Army in Austria and is declared “unfit”. • Hitler volunteers for a Bavarian unit in Germany. Hitler is shot in the leg and blinded by mustard gas. • In a military hospital and after the defeat of WWI, Hitler begins to place the blame with the Jews.
Hitler’s Political Life • In 1919, Hitler joins the German Workers’ Party and is placed in charge of propaganda. • Hitler becomes a featured speaker at political meetings-he railed against the Treaty of Versailles and blames Germany’s problems again on the Jews. • The swastika becomes the symbol of the party. • In 1921, Hitler rises to become leader of the Workers’ Party and renames it the Nazi Party. • He takes advantage of the terrible economic situation and social unrest in Germany after WWI.
Hitler’s Political Life cont…. • Attempts to lead a revolt (Beer Hall Putsch, 1923) and is imprisoned where he writes Mein Kampf. • Propaganda (lead by Joseph Goebbels) helps convert many Germans to the Nazi Party and many elections take place. • With Nazi power dramatically rising, President von Hindenburg appoints Hitler as Chancellor on Jan. 30th, 1933.
Hitler Gains Power • In an attempt to pass an “Enabling Act”, a vote is forced in the Reichstag. • By a vote of 441 to 84, the act was passed and this officially ended democracy in Germany. • By March of 1933, Hitler had become dictator of Germany, legally, through the democratic process.
Hitler In Power • Under Hitler, the state, not the individual was supreme. • From birth, one existed to serve the state and obey the dictator. Those who disagreed were disposed of. Many intellectuals spoke out against Hitler or left Germany. • Rallies, parades and propaganda continue and there is a mixture of fear and optimism. • Hitler as dictator, can focus on the issue that got him into politics-hatred of Jews. The first boycott was April 1, 1933.
The following extracts are taken from the Nazi Party Organization Book (1940) and illustrate the duties of party members, as well as the National Socialist concept of the State: • 6. Duties of the Party Comrade • The National Socialist commandments: • The Führer is always right! • Never go against discipline! • Don't waste your time in idle chatter or in self-satisfying criticism, but take hold and do your work! • Be proud but not arrogant! • Let the program be your dogma. It demands of you the greatest devotion to the movement. • You are a representative of the party; control your bearing and your manner accordingly! • Let loyalty and unselfishness be your highest precepts!
Commandments continued.. • Practice true comradeship and you will be a true socialist! • Treat your racial comrades as you wish to be treated by them! • In battle be hard and silent! • Spirit is not unruliness! • That which promotes the movement, Germany, and your people, is right! • If you act according to these commandments, you are a true soldier of your Führer.
Krystallnacht • Crystal Night or the Night of Broken Glass, 1938 • An organized campaign of mob violence against synagogues and Jewish-owned businesses. • Jews were forced to wear a yellow star of David • Was a prelude the events to come during the Holocaust
Economic Policies • Economy served the interests of the state. • Reduced unemployment by creating public works projects (the autobahn) • Established a Four Year Plan with the purpose of promoting economic self-sufficiency and mobilizing the economy for war.
Foreign Policy • Revision of the Treaty of Versailles • Conquest of additional living-space • To these ends, Hitler would invade lost territories such as the Rhineland, Sudetenland, Austria and WWII would begin over the invasion of Poland. • Hitler would also support Franco in the Spanish Civil War. This was used as a practice for Nazi weaponry, especially blitzkrieg tactics. • Alliance with other Axis powers: Italy and Japan