Hitler and Nazi Germany Chapter 17 Section 3

Hitler’s rise In 1919 he joined the German Workers’ Party a little known extreme nationalist party 1921-Hitler had taken control of the party, which was renamed the National Socialist German Workers’ Party or Nazi for short While in jail Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) Extreme German nationalism Strong anti-Semitism Superior nations and living space

Rise of Nazism The impact of the Great Depression made extremist parties more attractive Hitler promised to create a new Germany He appealed to the emotions of Germans National pride and honor Traditional militarism Hitler was an extraordinary orator!!!!!!!!!

Hitler and Nazi Victory 1933 – Hitler becomes chancellor and creates a new government Enabling Act – gave the govt. the power to ignore the constitution for 4 years while it issued laws to deal with the country’s problems Hitler no longer needs the Reichstag (German Parliament) or President Hindenburg Hitler had become a dictator appointed by the parliament body itself!!!

Hitler and Nazi Victory The civil service was “cleansed” of Jews and democratic elements Concentration camps were set up for those who opposed the new regime All political parties except the Nazis were abolished Within 7 months, Hitler had established the basis for a totalitarian state

Hitler and Nazi Victory 1934 – Hindenburg dies and the presidential office is abolished Hitler becomes sole ruler of Germany All public officials and soldiers were required to take a personal oath of loyalty to Hitler as their Fuhrer (leader)

Nazi Beliefs and Goals Hitler wanted the development of an Aryan racial state that would dominate Europe and possibly the world Aryan – people speaking Indo-European languages (true meaning) Aryan – ancient Greeks & Romans, and 20th century Germans (Nazi meaning) Nazis believed Germans to be the true descendants and leaders of the Aryans Nazis wanted to create another empire like the one ruled by the ancient Romans

Nazi Beliefs and Goals There had already been 2 Reichs (German empires) 1. The Holy Roman Empire 2. German Empire of 1871 Hitler’s goals was to create a Third Reich  the empire of Nazi Germany To create this, Hitler needs the active involvement of the German people

The Nazi Regime = Terror Heinrich Himmler – leader of the SS – a force for maintaining order SS – originally created as Hitler’s personal bodyguards SS 2 basic principles 1. terror (including domination, cruelty, & murder 2. ideology (Nazi beliefs) SS chief goal – to further the Aryan master race Under the leadership of Himmler the SS Control the secret police force that Himmler had set up Control the regular police force

The Nazi Regime = Progress Hitler used public works projects and grants to put people back to work A massive rearmament program was the key to solving the unemployment problem Hitler brought an end to Germany’s harsh depression This leads many Germans to accept Hitler and the Nazi regime

The Nazi Regime = Anti-Semitic Nuremberg laws (racial laws) Excluded Jews from German citizenship Forbid marriages b/w Jews and Germans Jews required to wear yellow “Stars of David Jews required to carry ID cards saying they were Jewish November 9, 1938 - Kristallnacht Nazis burned & destroyed synagogues and Jewish businesses 30,000 Jewish males sent to concentration camps

The Nazi Regime = Anti-Semitic Kristallnacht (night of shattered glass) led to further drastic steps Jews were barred from public schools, public transportation, and hospitals They were barred from owning, managing, or working in any retail store The Jews were forced to clean up all the damage from Kristallnacht Jews were urged to emigrate FROM Germany by the SS