Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany.ppt

The Rise of Nazi Germany Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany Spodek: 687-690 Why the Nazis could rise to power in Germany Defeat in World War I Versailles Treaty—England and France “Stabbed Germany in the Back” Great Depression: High Employment, Low Profits, People Lose Savings German Military Tradition: Frederick the Great—Prussia; Otto Von Bismarck—Unified Germany; Luddendorf; Hindenburg Anti-Semitism—Jews as Scapegoats: “Had all the jobs”; “Controlled Politics”; “Had all the money” (None of the above was true but it didn’t matter) Adolph Hitler Emblematic of German Problem: Only success came in war—won a minor medal Believed that Germany “stabbed in the back” Germany should have won the war Unemployed after the war—no jobs Couldn’t get into art school—claimed only Jews got in. He had no artistic talent Formed a paramilitary group to substitute for Germany Army—National Socialists Adolph Hitler (continued) Hitler promised Germans: Stability Jobs To be Proud Again To Reverse the Versailles Treaty To End “Weak” Democracy To “Get Rid of” the Jews Lebenstraum— “Living Space for Germans” Fascism Nation comes first Against Liberalism and Liberal Institutions Irrational Politics—Emphasize Street Fighting SA Storm Troopers (Ernst Rohm)—they wanted to get rid of Nazi’s enemies. They were called the “Brown shirts” SS—Schutzstaffel (Heinrich Himmler)—they were called the black shirts. Key Dates October 1929—Great Depression Summer-Fall 1932 –German Elections: Nazis win a majority: 230; Socialists 133, Center 97, Communists 89 The main points: Nazis won 42% of the vote; no center; Nazi’s powerful but can’t form government. Key Dates Continued President Hindenburg Names Hitler Chancellor in January 30, 1933. Street Violence February 27 Reichstag Fire—Legislature Building Burns Down March 5 New Elections: Nazis 288; Nationalists 52; Center 74; Socialists 120; Communists 81; Others 23—Nazis win only 44% of vote March 23, 1933—Reichstag passes (with huge majority) the Enabl