1. AIM: Why Didn’t the German People Try to Stop Hitler
AIM: Why Didn’t the German People Try to Stop Hitler? Do Now: Read the quote below then write down what you think. Is this a true statement? Why or Why not?
“All it takes for evil to succeed is for good people to remain uninvolved!”

2. What do you think you would have done if you were in Germany
What do you think you would have done if you were in Germany? Would you have spoken up or would you have remained silent? Explain your answer.

3. Review: Life Under Nazi Rule

4. As you watch the video think about the Aim and the Do Now!
What Would You Do?

5. Jews were forced to wear the star of David in Nazi Germany, so that they could be easily identified.
The Germans used the Jewish badge, often in the form of a yellow Star of David, to harass and isolate the Jews. In that way, they were able to create a wide rift between the Jews and the rest of the population. Why did Germans and others allow this to happen?

6. So, what are some of the reasons you think so many people in Germany may have remained silent?

7. Remember, Hitler didn’t take over Germany overnight.
Hitler tries to gain power in 1923 but his plan fails and he is arrested.
When he gets out of prison in 1924 he revives the Nazi Party.
Hitler gains power in 1933 by being appointed Chancellor.
Hitler passed the Nuremberg laws in 1935.
Nazi’s carry out Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) in 1938.

8. He started by making promises
Remember
He promised to stabilize the economy.
He promised to strengthen the military.

9. Indoctrination
The indoctrination process to turn Germans against Jews took time.
Indoctrination = the teaching of ideologies (ideas).
Also, Hitler could manipulate huge audiences with his fiery oratory (speech). Making speeches was crucial to Hitler. He believed: “All great world shaking events have been bought about… by the spoken word!”

10. Hitler Used Propaganda!
Propaganda = information or material spread to advance a cause or to damage an opponent.
He wanted more than just economic and political power. He also wanted to control every aspect of German life. To shape public opinion and to win praise for his leadership, Hitler turned the press, radio, literature, painting, and film into propaganda tools.

11. Use the photograph of Adolf Hitler and your knowledge of world history to answer the questions below.
Q. Why do you think Hitler had his photograph taken with this little girl?
A. to demonstrate his power
B. to frighten his enemies
C. to make him appear more human
D. to demonstrate his hatred for the Jews
Q. How do you think this photograph made Germans feel in the beginning?
A. Angry
B. Fearful
C. Optimistic
D. Upset

12. IN CLASS TASK:
Read handout, Why Didn’t the German People try to Stop Hitler? Complete documents # 1and Homework: Read and Complete Handout, Economic Depression and it’s Consequences.

13. Reading Review Document # 1
What did Andre’s family lose by leaving Germany?
What did Andre’s family gain by leaving Germany?
Why doesn’t Andre’s family protest to the
Government about this problem?
4. “Running from a problem instead of fixing it is a sign
of a coward.” In the case of Andre and his family,
is this true?
5. If you were Andre, what decision would you have
made? (Be Honest!)

14. What is the moral of Father Niemoller’s message?
Reading Review Document # 2
The following quote is from Father Niemoller, a German Lutheran Protestant priest who was sent to a concentration camp for publicly speaking out against the Nazi’s. He later dies in the prison camp of Auschwitz.
“When they came for the Gypsies, I did not speak up because I was not a Gypsy.
When they came for the homosexuals, I did not speak up because I was not a homosexual.
When they came for the Jews, I did not speak up because I was not a Jew.
When they came for the Communist, I did not speak up because I was not a Communist.
When they came for the Catholics, I did not speak up because I was a Protestant.
And when they finally came for me, there was no one left to speak up.”
What is the moral of Father Niemoller’s message?