The Rise of Adolf Hitler

In 1919 Germany is forced to accept the terms of the Treaty of Versailles War Guilt Clause: blame Loss of land (colonies) and money (reparations) Disarmament Had to form a democracy: Weimar Republic Setting the Stage: World War I

The Rise of the Nazi Party In 1920, Hitler helps form the Nazi Party Beer Hall Putsch: Hitler and and his Nazis try to overthrow the new democracy in a large beer hall in Munich 16 men are killed – Hitler flees and is later arrested on high treason

The Rise of the Nazi Party While in prison, Hitler writes “Mein Kampf” Learns he must destroy democracy from within Serves 8 months and is released

Hitler Takes Control In 1925, Paul von Hindenburg elected President of the Weimar Republic By 1932, the Nazi party had become the largest party in the Reichstag (38% majority) Hitler appointed chancellor in 1933 – Second in command

Hitler Takes Control In February 1933, the Reichstag burns down – Blamed on Communists Reichstag responds by suppressing communists and others – Passed the “Enabling Act”  transfers power to the president In 1934, Hindenburg dies and Hitler is declared “The Fuhrer” (dictator)

Prelude to the Holocaust & WWII Anti-Semitism, or hatred of Jews, already existed in the hearts of many Europeans Nuremberg Laws were passed allowing the government to legally discriminate against Jews

Prelude to the Holocaust & WWII Examples of Nuremberg Laws: – Jews were stripped of German citizenship – Marriage between Jews and Germans was forbidden – Jews were excluded from public office, practicing law, medicine, and teaching – Jews had curfews, had to wear a yellow star for public ID – Allowed for open and legal terrorism against Jews

Prelude to the Holocaust & WWII Nuremberg Laws led to a three-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

Kristallnacht 1938 The Night of Broken Glass – Anti-Semitic riots in Germany and Austria 30,000 Jews rounded up and taken to concentration camps Homes, businesses, and synagogues destroyed

World War II Begins In 1939, Hitler invades Poland and starts WWII Continues efforts to unite all people of German blood or Aryans under the “Master Race” Empire is known as the Third Reich

Result? Hitler used democracy to destroy democracy. Once he became “der Fuhrer”, he ruled Germany as a ruthless dictator and used his power to take over several countries and murder millions