1. Rise of the Nazi Party
Germany

2. Hitler’s Influences
At the age of 18, Hitler moved to Vienna where he was exposed to extreme Nationalism
Austro-German nationalists believed Germans to be a superior people and the natural rulers of central Europe
Advocated for an Austrian union with Germany
Advocated for the expulsion of “inferior” peoples as a means of maintaining German domination of the Austro-Hungarian Empire
Hitler eagerly absorbed Anti-Semitic
sentiment and racist ideas while in
Vienna
He bought into a crude and
distorted version of the
Darwinian theory of survival
The German race was superior

3. Hitler and WWI
When Germany was defeated in WWI, Hitler’s world was shattered. Not only was he a fanatical nationalist, but war was his reason for living
He was convinced that Jews and Communists had “stabbed Germany in the back” with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles and he vowed to fight
Like many disenchanted German veterans, Hitler joined the German Workers’ party
The party denounced Jews, democrats, and Communists
The party promised unity under a unique form of “national socialism” that would abolish the injustices of capitalism and create a might “people’s community”

4. The Nazi Party
1919 – Hitler joins the German Workers’ Party and by 1921 he was the leader of the party
He modifies the party, adds a military component, and renames it the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (the Nazi Party)
Promises to get back land lost in WWI (remember the Treaty of Versailles)
Promises to restore Germany to world leadership
Pronounced that Aryans are “Master Race”

5. Anti-Semitism Anti-Semitism is essentially the hatred of Jews
Grew in Europe throughout the 19th Century
Fueled by biblical interpretations assigning Jews responsibility for the crucifixion of Christ as well as long existing prejudice against Jews which was reinforced and strengthened during the nationalist movements in Austria and Germany
In the 1920’s, Hitler writes a book called
Mein Kampf. In it he:
Expresses anti-semitic views
Describes Jews as “deadly poison”
and “vermin”

6. The Nazi’s Gain Control…
Nazi’s gain control of German Parliament in 1933
How?
Appealed to the 43% of the German pop. who was unemployed in 1932
In the early 1930s, Hitler appeared more “mainstream” – he played down his anti-Jewish hatred and racist nationalism
Appealed to the youth – Hitler was only 40 and Nazism was seen in many ways as a youth movement (in 1931, 40% of party members were under the age of 30)

7. Hitler uses Propaganda
Believed that all propaganda had to be limited to a few simple, endlessly repeated slogans
Held mass rallies where he wowed audiences with his talented speaking ability.
Appealed to people’s emotions rather than their reason
Many uncertain individuals, surrounded by thousands of enthralled listeners, found a sense of belonging as well as hope for a better future

8. Hitler
at a rally
in 1928

9. Some immediate changes with the Nazis..
Other political parties are outlawed
Force is used to keep control of opposition
Round up opponents in public
Armed force within Nazis set up – STORMTROOPERS or SA
Newspapers and Radios tightly controlled
Books with ideas that Hitler didn’t agree with are burnt

10. More restrictions… Teachers required to be members of the Nazi Party
Students encouraged to join the Hitler Youth Movement
Priests and clergy that challenge Hitler are thrown in jail
Nazi Germany becomes a
totalitarian state

11. Hitler’s Anti-Semitism
Jews banned from government jobs, teaching, banking, broadcasting, newspapers and entertainment!
Banned from many shops and public buildings
Nazis stand outside Jewish owned stores and threaten
customers

12. The Nuremberg Laws 1935 Takes away all citizenship and civil rights of
Jews in Germany
Illegal for Jews to marry non-Jews
Jews banned from parks, public schools, parks and museums
Virtually impossible for Jews to earn a living
Lucky ones decide to flee the country
Many thrown in concentration camps

13. Kristallnacht 1938 Translated means “Night of the Broken Glass”
1938, German diplomat shot and killed by Polish-Jewish youth
In response, Nazi soldiers loot 7000 Jewish shops and arrest Jews; many beaten badly
Looting not ordered by Hitler
Hitler not in favour because there is no control