1. Adolf Hitler, Der Fuhrer

2. 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)  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)

3. 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 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.

4. 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.  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.

5. 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.  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.

7. Hitler as he is appointed Chancellor

8. 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.  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.

10. 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.  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.

12.  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!  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!

13. 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.  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.

14. 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  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

15. 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.  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.

16. 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  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