Session 1: The Rise of Nazi Germany Image Source: Encarta 2007 Session 1: The Rise of Nazi Germany Image Source: United States Library of Congress's Prints and Photographs Division under the digital ID cph.3b43939

Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler (1889-1945)was leader of Germany from 1933 to 1945. He was a dictator who wanted to make Germany into a powerful nation. Hitler wanted Germany to lead the world for a thousand years, but after just 12 years Germany was a defeated and divided country. Adolf Hitler lived in obscurity for the first thirty years of his life. (Source: Microsoft ® Encarta ® Premium Suite 2005. © 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved). Image source: http://www.holocaust-history.org/short-essays/hitler-480.jpg

Hitler in World War I World War I, which started in 1914, was a turning point in Hitler’s life. He fought with the German army in 47 battles, was wounded twice and was awarded the Iron Cross medal for bravery. When Germany was defeated, Hitler was in an army hospital, temporarily blinded by mustard gas, a poisonous substance used in the trenches of World War I. Hitler decided that the Jews had led to Germany’s defeat and that he would enter politics to save Germany from them. (Source: Microsoft ® Encarta ® Premium Suite 2005. © 1993-2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.) Adolf Hitler (shown left-under x) during World War I with fellow German soldiers. Image Source: US National Archives

Establishment of the Nazi Party Hitler’s Political career began in 1919 when he joined the German Workers Party, latter named the Nazi party. In 1920 Hitler left the army so as to devote himself fulltime to establishing the party. In 1920 the Nazi party created a 25 point manifesto – statement of beliefs. The program was created by Hitler and Anton Drexler (founder of German Workers Party). The manifesto stressed nationalism, anti-Semitism (hatred towards Jews) and anti-capitalism. Their initial policies on anti-Semitism formed the basis for the latter policies to implement the ‘Final Solution’ – Holocaust against Jews and other minority groups.

Establishment of the Nazi Party The Nazis’ belief in force led them to create the SA (which means Storm Unit), a private Army. Due to the colour of their uniforms, SA members became known as Brown Shirts. In the 1920s the Nazis believed they could seize power by force. Dortmund 1933 Image Source: http://celticrebel.files.wordpress.com/2007/09/acgbrownshirts.jpg

Beer Hall Putsch & Mein Kampf This lead to the Munich Beer Hall putsch (revolt) in 1923. This attempt to overthrow the government was unsuccessful. It did though, provide Hitler with ‘heroes’ (16 Nazi men were shot during the putsch). Hitler memorialized their ‘heroic’ deaths during Nazi rallies & propaganda. Hitler was imprisoned for his involvement in the Beer Hall Putsch. 1924 Hitler in Landsberg prison – wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle). It’s an autobiography and it outlines his political ideology. Image Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ac.meinkampf.jpg

The Road to Power 27th Feb 1925 – NSDAP re-founded. Feb 1926 – Bamberg Conference: Hitler’s leadership of the Nazi Party re-established. October 1929 – Wall Street Crash (German economy and industries dependent on American economy, loans and investments, so Wall St Crash crippled Germany). Also Germany indebt as a consequence of reparations for WWI & Versailles Treaty. The German government (Weimar Republic, ruled during 1919-1933) and Germany enters a long period of economic/political instability. The Great Depression created an environment of opportunity for the Nazis. This helped the Nazis, who offered simple explanations and solutions for the country’s problems. Nazi Party promise to increase employment via the automobile industry and road networks (German Highways), and a “Bread” policy – very popular as most Germans were hit hard with poverty, starvation and unemployment.

Hitler’s Ideology & Main Ideas Image Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/history/images/hist_nazi_ideology.gif

Nazi Flag/The Swastika Until the Nazis used this symbol, the swastika, was used by many cultures throughout the past 3,000 years to represent life, sun, power, strength, and good luck. 7th Aug 1920, at the Salzburg Congress, this flag became the official emblem for the NSDAP In Mein Kampf, Hitler described the Nazis' new flag: "In red we see the social idea of the movement, in white the nationalistic idea, in the swastika the mission of the struggle for the victory of the Aryan man, and, by the same token, the victory of the idea of creative work, which as such always has been and always will be anti-Semitic." (pg. 496-497) Also referred as the “Blood Flag.” Black shape - Swastika symbol Image Source: Original PNG version created by de:Benutzer:Kookaburra with the name "Bild:Flag Germany 1933.png" in de.wikipedia; uploaded to the Wikimedia Commons by User:Guanaco, later converted to SVG by User:Rotemliss and later modified by other Wikimedia Commons people.

Nazi Flag/The Swastika Hitler made it compulsory for the Nazi flag to be displayed in public spaces and government buildings. The Ministry of Propaganda incorporated the flag & Swastika symbol in most propaganda campaigns. Because of the Nazis' flag, the swastika soon became a symbol of hate, anti-Semitism, violence, death, and murder. The flag and Swastika symbol are still used by Neo-Nazi groups (extremist that believe in Nazi doctrines and Hitler’s ideologies). Image Source: http://members.authorsguild.net/shirleylauro/imagelib/Nazi_flag_girls.jpg Many governments have declared it illegal to display the flag, or wear or promote this flag or any other Nazi symbols.