1. Hitler Consolidates Power
The Rise of Hitler by 1939

2. Early Years Born in Austria (1889); not admitted to Vienna Art College
Corporal in World War One, then largely unemployed

3. The Beer Hall Putsch
Adolf Hitler joined the National Socialist Party in 1919, and tried to overthrow the government of Bavaria in 1923

4. Mein Kampf
While in jail, Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle); it outlined his plan to restore Germany to greatness and respect

5. Germany Elects Hitler
Germans resented the Treaty of Versailles, which blamed them for WWI (War Guilt Clause)
War reparations and a bad economy caused inflation and a devalued mark
Depression began 1929 – by 1933, Germans desperate for new leadership
Hitler promises full employment, made great speeches
1933- Hitler becomes Chancellor (Prime Minister)

7. Dictatorship Hitler turned Germany quickly into a Nazi state
Admired dictators Mussolini and Stalin – used similar tactics
Abolished unions and strikes; government took complete control of the economy
Censorship, Hitler Youth introduced- indoctrination into Nazi beliefs
Promoted the idea of white racial superiority (Aryan) and blamed non-Aryans for country’s problems, especially Jews (scapegoats)

8. Steps to Power
1933 – Hitler breaks the Treaty of Versailles by re-arming Germany
1935 – introduced the Nuremberg Laws – removed citizenship from Jews, Jews and non-Jews cannot marry etc.

9. 1936 – Hitler occupied the Rhineland ( another Versailles violation)
1937 – Kristallnacht – Jewish homes, synagogues and businesses attacked, Jewish students expelled from universities

10. 1938 – Hitler annexes Austria and the Sudentenland (Czechosolvakia)
Munich Conference – world leaders meet to discuss problem – they give in to Hitler’s promise to not go any further (Policy of Appeasement)
1939 – Hitler makes Non-Aggression Pact
(Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact) with U.S.S.R. – they would divide Poland between themselves and not attack each other

12. 1939 – Hitler takes over the rest of Czechoslovakia and invades Poland!

13. September 1939 – Britain and France declare war on Germany: World War Two begins