World War II The Rise of Adolf Hitler

1. Setting the Stage: World War I ◦ Although an Austrian, Hitler joined the German army in WWI ◦ Hitler was never an officer and was wounded in leg While in hospital he became convinced that his purpose in life was to “Save Germany” On Nov 11, 1918, Germany agreed to an armistice ---> angered Hitler Hitler called those who surrendered “November Criminals”

In 1919 Germany forced to accept terms of the Treaty of Versailles: ◦ War Guilt clause: Blame ◦ Loss of land ◦ Loss of $$$ ◦ Disarmament ◦ Had to form a democracy: Weimar Republic

Rise of the Nazi Party In 1920 Hitler helps form the Nazi Party (German National Socialist Party) Attempts to overthrow government ◦ Gets arrested While in Prison, writes Mein Kampf (My Struggle) Learns he must destroy democracy from within

By 1932, Nazi Party had become largest political party in Germany 1933, Hitler appointed Chancellor (2 nd in command) February 1933, Reichstag burned down, blamed on Communists Response was to suppress communists and give power to President 1934, President Von Hindendberg dies and Hitler declared “The Fuhrer” (The Dictator)

Reichstag Fire

Prelude to the Holocaust Anti-Semitism or hatred of Jews already existed in many parts of Europe Nuremberg Laws passed allowing the gov’t to legally discriminate against Jews Examples of Nuremberg Laws ◦ Jews were stripped of German citizenship ◦ Marriage between Jews and Germans was forbidden ◦ Jews excluded from public office, practicing medicine, law, teaching ◦ Jews had curfews and had to wear a yellow star for public ID ◦ Allowed for open and legal terrorism against Jews

Journal Writing Write a few sentences in your journal about an example of discrimination that you have seen or known about. ◦ How did it make you feel? ◦ How did you respond? ◦ “I saw an example of discrimination when…….” ◦ “It made me feel …….”

Leads to 3 step process Development of Jewish ghettos in cities Concentration camps became sites of forced labor and murder Genocide-mass killing of over 6 million Jews

Kristalnacht The Night of Broken Glass – anti-Semitic riots in Germany and Austria 30,000 Jews rounded up and taken to concentration camps Homes, business, and synagogues destroyed

1939 Hitler invades Poland and starts World War II He continued to unite all people of German blood or Aryan under “The Master Race” He called his empire the Third Reich