Hitler

1. Hitler The Rise of a Dictator PART 1

2. Look carefully at each of these pictures. Come up with 5 adjectives to describe the man in all of these pictures.

3. Germany’s Situation Post-WWITreaty of Versailles • Treaty which ended WWI • Germany was not allowed to participate in the negotiations. All terms were decided by the Allies, mainly USA, France & England • France, in particular, wanted to punish Germany. • REASONS?

4. Where did most of the fighting take place? What impact would trench warfare have on that land? What would be the implications for non-soldiers in that region?

5. Terms of Treaty of Versailles • WAR GUILT • Germany was entirely to blame for causing WWI • LOSS OF TERRITORY • Germany lost all its overseas colonies • Germany lost 13% of its land = about 6 million people = 10% of its industry = 15% of its agricultural land • REPARATIONS • Germany was required to pay for the damages caused by the war...connection to other clause? • MILITARY RESTRICTIONS • Air Force abolished • Army limited to 100 000 soldiers • Navy limited to 15 000 sailors, 6 battleships, no submarines • Rhineland (border region between Germany and France) to be occupied by Allies for 15 years --- no German troops allowed How do you think the average German citizen reacted to these terms? Write down your response.

6. The Great Depression - 1929 • On a smaller scale to what the world is experiencing today, October 1929 was considered the beginning of the GREAT depression where banks, businesses and people went bankrupt. • The USA was faced with a major economic crisis. • USA had loaned the defeated Germany money to pay reparations and to rebuild • Loans disappear

7. The Great Depression IMPACT ON GERMANY • Great Depression in Numbers • Massive Inflation • 10 000 banks stopped operating • 20 000 businesses bankrupt in 1932 • Unemployed rose from 1.5 million to 12.8 million • Farm income and farmers’ wages fell by 50%

8. The Great Depression • The worthless German Deutschmarks were used as cooking fuel, wallpaper, and even kites. People often resorted to bartering

9. Discussion Question Why do you think Hitler and the Nazis gained popularity during this time of difficulty for Germany?

10. HITLER’S RISE TO POWER

11. Hitler’s Youth • Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, a city in northern Austria near the border with Germany on April 20, 1889 • His father, Alois Hitler, was a customs official and his mother, Klara Polzl had six children • Only Adolf and his younger sister Paula reached adulthood

12. Hitler’s Youth • Hitler had a very troubled childhood. His father often beat him and his mother • He developed a deep emotional attachment to his mother and resented his father • Hitler did well in elementary school, but never finished high school • His father died when Adolf was 13 and his mother died 4 years later

13. Hitler’s Youth • Hilter desired to be an artist, but was twice rejected by the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna… they suggested his talents lied in the field of architecture • By 1909 he was living in a homeless shelter and later in a home for poor working men in Vienna

14. Hitler’s Anti-Semitism • From his youth, Hitler was a fierce German nationalist. He often questioned why German Austrians did not support Germany in past conflicts • In Vienna he is influenced by ideas and peoples which cement some of his anti-Jewish sentiments • A quote from Mein Kampf illustrates this…

15. “There were very few Jews in Linz…Once, when passing through the inner City, I suddenly encountered a phenomenon in a long caftan and wearing black side-locks. My first thought was: Is this a Jew? They certainly did not have this appearance in Linz. I carefully watched the man stealthily and cautiously but the longer I gazed at the strange countenance and examined it feature by feature, the more the question shaped itself in my brain: Is this a German?”

16. Hitler and WWI • Hitler, although not a German citizen, enlists in the German army • He was a runner, the most dangerous job on the Western Front • He was twice decorated for bravery and was awarded the Iron Cross • Being the ardent German patriot he was, Hitler was shocked by Germany’s surrender in November 1918

17. A young Hitler (left) posing with other German soldiers

18. NAZIS • 1919: Hitler joined German Workers’ Party • 1920: Hitler was put in charge of propaganda • Changed party name to NAZI -Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers Party) • 1921: Took over leadership of the party • Introduced the Swastika as the NAZI symbol

19. MUNICH PUTSCH • November 9, 1923 • SA marched through Munich to overthrow the government • Unsuccessful • Hitler was sent to jail for 8 months • During that time, he wrote Mein Kampf

20. Mein Kampf • Means “My Struggle” or “My Battle” • Basically the story of Hitler’s life • Addresses his political goals for Germany • Focus on upholding the Aryan “master” race • Was a bestseller and increases his popularity

21. NAZIS grow in Popularity • Nazis gained increasing support by using the following to their advantage: • Propaganda • Posters & pamphlets • Nazi-owned newspapers • Mass rallies • Radio

22. NAZIS grow in Popularity • The SA (the Nazis personal army) • Would violently attack rival politicians/break up meetings • Attracted many unemployed to join their ranks • Hitler himself • Built himself up as a superman • Spoke very well and very convincingly • Nazi Programme • Blamed Jews for Germany’s problems  gave Germans someone to blame for their problems • Offered possibility of a powerful Germany • Promised work to the unemployed • Promised potential profits to business owners • Were extremely organised with skilled leaders in most areas

23. 25 POINT PROGRAM • http://www.schoolshistory.org.uk/ASLevel_History/25pointnsdapprogramme.htm • Promoted the re-unification of the German people; • Promised better living conditions; • Denied Jews the right to citizenship of Germany.

24. STURMABTEILUNG • aka the Brownshirts because their uniform was brown • NAZIs own political army • Made up of men who were also unhappy with the outcome of the Treaty of Versailles • Goal was to discourage other political groups from meeting – usually done violently

25. Expansion of the Nazi Party • SA expanded to reach into other parts of Germany • 1926 creation of the SS(Schutzstaffel)/Secret Police

26. Expansion of the Nazi Party • Creation of the Hitler Youth & German Girls’ League

27. Expansion of the NAZI Party • Formation of the Nazi Student League, Teachers’ League, Women’s League, Physician’s League

28. Weimar Republic: 1919-1933 President needed to be elected ChancellorReichstag chosen by president elected Parliament • The President could veto any law. • It was usually the leader of the most powerful political party who was appointed as Chancellor • Should the president die or resign, the Chancellor would take over until the election of the next president.

29. Great Depression • Considered a “national emergency”. • Hindenburg wanted to pass certain laws to help combat the G.D. • If he didn’t get the support of the Reichstag, he would pass the law anyway and hold new elections to get a “supportive” Reichstag. • Reichstag blocked policies = 1930 election

30. 1930 Election • A lot of what the NAZI party stood (25 Point Programme) became much more appealing during the Great Depression. • Solutions seemed to be offered for the unemployed, the farmers, the middle class, & the young, directionless youth • Offered a reason for all the problems Germany was facing: the JEWS!

31. Presidential Elections 1932 • Hindenburg up for re-election • Hitler runs as Hindenburg’s opponent • Hitler loses. HOWEVER • Hindenburg still not happy with the Parliament and calls another election

32. 1932 Elections JULY • NAZIs get the most seats with over 13 million votes. • Hitler demands the Chancellorship as the leader of the political party with the most seats in the Reichstag. • The sitting Chancellor refused and asked Hindenburg to call another election. NOVEMBER • NAZIs still win but with only 196 seats

33. Hitler Chancellor - 1933 • Hindenburg wanted to be able to control Hitler and the NAZIs. • Hitler was appointed Chancellor in January. • By February, he called new elections.

34. Communists are accused of starting fire Emergency “law”: no more freedom of speech or freedom of assembly; police have powers to search houses, confiscate property and detain people without trial Concentration camp used to send opposing political party members, anti-Nazis, “undesirables.” Hitler could pass laws without consent of Parliament (Reichstag) – essentially already a dictator. Hitler saw Rohm as a threat to his power. Oath of “unconditional obedience” to Hitler directly, not to Germany  gives Hitler absolute control over army Hindenburg’s death = Hitler has supreme power in Germany

35. Votes for Nazi Party