The Rise of Nazi Germany

Weimar Republic As world war one drew close, Germany was on the brink of chaos. Under the threat of a socialist revolution, the kaiser abdicated the throne. Leaders signed the armistice and later, under protest, the versailles treaty.

Chancellor Is the highest offical monarch prime minsters.

Political Stuggles The republic faced severe problems from the start, it was weak because of Germany, like France had many small parties.

Ruhr Valley France occupied the coal-rich Ruhr Valley German workers refused to work To support workers, government paid them, printed large amounts of money Inflation soon spiraled out of control German mark became worthless Many middle class families savings were wiped out

Recovery Help from western powers, brang inflation under control France with drew its forces from Ruhr American loans helped German economy recover

Rise of Nazis Adolf hitler went to vienna German Austrians was one of many ethnic groups felt superior to the jews and other groups Hitler developed the fanatical anti-semitists magaint jews Nazi "stormer troopers" fought in streets against political enemies

Mien Kampf "my struggle"-book written by Hitler written while Hitler was in prison after being found guilty of treason in 1923 Reflected Nazi's basic goals and ideology: nationalism, racism, and anti-semitism He stated "Germans belong to the superior 'master race'" With past problems with Jews, Hitler viewed them as a different race not religion Jews included anyone with Jewish grandparents He blamed Germany's defeat in WWI on a conspiracy of Marxists, Jews, corrupt politicians, and business leaders Hitler said Germany must expand to gain more land for its people He said that Germany needed a strong leader or Fuhrer, he was determined to be that leader.

Adolf Hitler Born in Austria in Fought in the German army in World War I. Despised the Weimar government, which he saw as weak. Around 1920, he was the unquestioned leader of the National Socialist German Workers, or Nazi, party. In 1923, he failed in an attempt to seize power in Munich, and was arrested and found guilty of treason. While in jail, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf, which became the book of Nazi goals and beliefs. He believed Germans belonged to an Aryan race, whose greatest enemies were Jews. Adolf was appointed chancellor of Germany in 1933, and within a year, he was the dictator of Germany.

The Third Reich Hitler appealed to nationalism by recalling past glories. First Reich- Holy Roman Empire. Second Reich- Bismarck's empire in Hitler said that under his new Third Reich, Germany's Aryan Race would dominate all of Europe for a thousand years.

Gestapo The Gestapo were Hitler's official secret police who hunted down opposition. Led by Heinrich Himmler. Began in April of 1934.

Kristallnacht "Night of the Broken Glass" started because a young Jew shot and wounded a German diplomat after his parents were mistreated in Germany took place November 9th and 10th Jewish communities in Germany, Austria, and Czechoslavakia were attacked Hitler and the Frenchmen thought up the "Final Solution"

Nazi Youth Taught to destroy their enemies with no mercy "Hitler Youth" pledged loyalty and took physical fitness programs All school curriculum was rewritten in the view of the Nazi's

Nuremburg Laws a set of laws that replace a severe restrictions on Jews and took away their German citizenship They were prohibited from o marrying non-Jews o attending or teaching in German schools o holding any government jobs o practicing law or medicine o publishing books

Purging Modern art was denounced for its corrupted Jewish influence Jazz was condemned for its African roots Old German myths were glorified Christianity was described as "weak" and "flabby" It was thought that religion should be replaced with racial creed They closed Catholic schools and muzzled the Catholic Clergy