In order to understand why German people turned to the Nazis and Adolf Hitler we need to understand the conditions in Germany between 1918 and Treaty of Versailles German people hated the Treaty because of the way it humiliated Germany  Loss of land  Unfair reparations  War Guilt Clause

2. Economic Depression Germany was burdened by an enormous debt from the war and could not rebuild itself The government’s printing of more money led to hyper-inflation where prices for goods and services rose astronomically – people lost their life savings Throughout the 1920s and early 1930s unemployment continues to rise

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3. Political Instability The democratic Weimar Republic that was set up after the war was very unpopular and unstable. The German people begin looking to more radical parties to rebuild Germany

 Born Apr 20, 1889 in Austria  Failed out of art school and drifted around Germany looking for work  Joins the German Army during the war were he receives military awards and is eventually injured and is hospitalized  After the war he joins a new political party (National Socialist Germany Workers Party - Nazi). He quickly takes over as leader and begins to shape it to reflect his own ideas.  Hitler travels around the province of Bavaria giving speeches promising to restore Germany to greatness.

o The Nazis attempt to overthrow the government, however the disorganized group is quickly defeated and Hitler is arrested for treason. His trial gives Hitler and the Nazis more attention and support. Hitler is sentenced to 5 years in prison – he only serves 9 months in very comfortable settings.

While in prison he writes his autobiography “Mein Kampf” – My Struggle. This book sets out Hitler’s goals for Germany:  The idea of a Master Race – that the Aryans existed to rule all others  Lebensraum – ‘Living Space’ – that Germany needed to expand  Anschluss – the unification of Germanic people  Powerful German Armed Forces

Most importantly though, Hitler realized that he would not be able to violently overthrow the government. He would have to obtain power legally, through democratic means, in order to destroy the government from within.  Between 1924 and 1933, Hitler and the Nazi party continued to gain support. They also began to win more and more seats in the German Parliament (Reichstag).

President Hindenburg declares Adolf Hitler the Chancellor of Germany. It is thought that this would allow him to control Hitler and the Nazis. The Reichstag is set on fire and burnt down. The blame is placed on communists who are arrested and executed. Parliament passes the ‘Enabling Act’ that gives Hitler dictatorial powers, allowing him to create laws without parliament, change the constitution, and create foreign treaties. With his new powers, Hitler bans unions and all other political parties, makes the Hitler Youth (HJ) mandatory, and creates concentration camps.

 June 1934 – “Night of the Long Knives”  The Nazi’s Stormtroopers (SA) have become very powerful and Hitler fears losing their support. He orders that the leaders of the SA be arrested and executed. Hitler then becomes the leader of all military organizations.  In August 1934 President Hindenburg dies and Hitler combines the offices of President and Chancellor into the title of “Fuhrer” – Leader. All Germans must now pledge absolute obedience to Adolf Hitler.

 Hitler and the Nazis exploited people’s hatred of the Treaty of Versailles and promised every group what they wanted. ◦ Businesses – feared communism and were promised a disciplined workforce ◦ Farmers – promised land and higher prices for their products ◦ Unemployed – promised jobs rebuilding Germany and in the Army

 Hitler also promised to tear up the Treaty of Versailles and gave Germans groups to blame for their problems (scapegoats) – the Jews and Communists.  Most people in Germany enjoy a better standard of living under Nazi rule, as they are able to deliver on their promises.  Censorship – banning and burning books, rewriting textbooks, controlling newspapers and radio stations

 Fear – use of secret police forces (SA, SS, Gestapo) and concentration camps are used to silence and remove opponents

 Youth Movements – Hitler Youth (HJ) members had uniforms, physical training, discipline, outdoor skills, and learnt Nazi ideals from a young age

 Propaganda – throughout Germany the Nazi party left its mark: posters, flyers, media, public rallies, flags, swastika, armbands, and salutes