Hitler’s Rise to Power in Germany Swastika Word: Sanskrit word “svastika” meaning “Creating well-being” History: An ancient Aryan symbol of the sun Hitler’s Nazi Party adopted the swastika as its symbol with the aim of making a connection between the ancient Aryans and the modern German people. The Nazis tried to support their claim that the modern German people were a “master race.”

Background Germany’s defeat in WW1 left the German people demoralized and without a strong government.

Contributing Factors Political Problems: The Weimar Republic Gvt. Was seen as weak and ineffective The 1919 Communist uprising broke out in several German cities Right-wing critics fear Social Democrats would take over industry and break up large estates. Nationalist and militarists wanted to rebuild Germany’s army—forbidden by the Treaty of Versailles

Economic Crisis 1923- inflation drove German to near Economic collapse. Worldwide economic depression that began in 1929 led to banks and businesses failure. Unemployment soared in Germany

Anti-Semitic Policy Hitler and the Nazi Party blamed Germany’s problems on the Jews Claimed Germans were superior Racist ideas led to extreme nationalism 1938- Kristallnacht (“Night of broken glass”)—Nazis attacked Jewish synagogues, homes, and businesses.

The Gestapo Secret Police- Led by Heinrich Himmler Collected data on anti-Hitler/anti-state Anti-Jewish force Arrested political opponents Concentration camps –over 150,000 sent by 1933.

Major Events 1923 – Beer Hall Putsch – Hitler Jailed and wrote “Mein Kampf” 1933—Hitler became German chancellor. Third Reich created. Germany became a totalitarian state.

Germany expansion 1936 – Hitler sent troops to the Rhineland “demilitarized region Policy of Appeasement – giving in to other’s demand to avoid conflict.

Anschluss “Union” Austria annexed into the German Third Reich on 12 March 1938 Czechoslovakia (15 millions people—3 millions German speakers resided in the “Sudentenland”) 9/1938 – Primier Edouard Daladier of France & Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain of Britain met Hitler in Munich “Munich Agreement”—Gave Hitler Sudentenland with a promise that he would not seek additional territory.

March 1939 – Hitler demanded Polish Corridor August 1939 – Nazi –Soviet Pact Sept. 3, 1939 – Nazi Germany invaded Poland. WW2 began!