Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany Chapter 13 Section 5

Weimar Republic 1919 – Constitution drafted in city of Weimar Set up parliamentary system led by a chancellor (prime minister) Women had right to vote Had a bill of rights

Political Struggles Many parties created weak, unstable government Weimar Republic disliked, blamed for signing Versailles Treaty Socialists wanted radical change, like in Russia Conservatives wanted a strong leader, like Bismarck

Runaway Inflation 1923 - Germany began falling behind in paying reparations France takes over Ruhr Valley Germans protest French occupation, strike Germany continues to pay them, printing money to do so Money (German Mark) becomes worthless Many lose life savings

Runaway Inflation Many blame bankers and investment speculators for crises many are Jewish Dawes Plan France withdrew from Ruhr Valley America gives Germany loans Economy stabilizes until Great Depression

Hitler b. 1889 in Austria Joins National Socialist German Workers (Nazi) party Within a year he was its leader

Hitler Follows Mussolini’s pattern Writes Mein Kampf in prison Organized “storm troopers” 1923 - coup attempt Fails, put in prison Writes Mein Kampf in prison Spells out his racist ideas Calls for German expansion Explains need of a Führer

Hitler Released from prison in less than a year Promises End reparations Create jobs Defy Versailles Treaty by rearming Germany Communists and Nazis become more prominent Conservative leaders feel Nazis are lesser of 2 evils and Hitler “controllable” 1933 - Elected Chancellor

Hitler Within a year becomes dictator Destroys Communists Disbands other political parties Purges own party Forms Third Reich Begins massive public works program Begins rearming military Gestapo silences opposition

Anti-Semitism Nuremberg Laws Prohibited Jews from Being German citizens marrying non-Jews Attending/teaching at German schools/universities having government job Practicing law, medicine publishing books

Anti-Semitism Nov 7, 1938 - A Jew in Paris shot a German diplomat Hitler incites Kristallnacht (”Night of Broken Glass”) Mobs attack Jewish communities all over Germany

Nazism Organized “Hitler Youth” School courses and textbooks rewritten to reflect Nazi racial views Rewarded “pure-blooded Aryan” women for having more children Glorified German myths and art Combined Protestant sects into single state church, silenced Catholicism

Nazism