Bellringer Download today’s notes: Rise of Dictators 2 Notes Answer the following question: What if the U.S. President declared, “The time of personal happiness is over”? How would you react?

The Rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party

First Things First Was Hitler Jewish? Simply put, no. He only wanted blue-eyed and blonde people, but he had brown hair! Not exactly. What a weird mustache! Not really, it was in fashion.

Adolf Hitler’s Early Life Hitler was born on April 20th, 1889 in AUSTRIA He had a poor relationship with his father and was very close to his mother He was an aspiring painter, and was twice rejected by the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna It was at this time, in 1908, that Hitler began a movement based on the beliefs that Germans were the master race

Hitler in WWI Hitler volunteered to serve in the Bavarian (a state in Germany) Army He served as a messenger in a regiment that exposed him to enemy fire He was shot in the leg and suffered from a poison gas attack He was awarded the Iron Cross – the highest military honor in Germany

Hitler and Early Politics Hitler helped grow the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi) in 1919 and assumed leadership in 1921 Beer Hall Putsch November 8th, 1923 Attempt by Hitler to seize power and overthrow the government The attempt failed and Hitler was imprisoned for five years for high treason (but he was released after only serving one year

Mein Kampf Hitler wrote Mein Kampf (“My Struggle”) in 1925 while he was in prison This became the Nazi ideology – links extreme nationalism, strong Anti-Semitism, and anticommunism together by a Social Darwinian theory of struggle Rights of superior nations to Lebesraum (“living space”) through expansion Promoted the “stabbed in the back” theory The book sold/distributed 10 million copies between 1925-1934

Hitler’s Rise to Power By 1932, the Nazi Party was the biggest political party in the Reichstag (German parliament) Germany’s economic problems due to the Great Depression made extremist parties more attractive Hitler promised a new Germany that appealed to nationalism and militarism His promise was to end reparations, create jobs, and rearm Germany Hitler demanded to be appointed the position of chancellor – he was initially refused, but then given the position in 1933

Hitler’s Rise to Power The Enabling Act After the 1933 election, Hitler proposed the Enabling Act, which would essentially give him a dictatorship – and it passed! (Knew he had to obtain power through legal means. Why?) The Enabling Act allowed the Nazis to… Ignore the constitution Hitler became dictator Ban all other political parties Set up concentration camps for political opponents Jews were not allowed to be in civil service professions Local and state governments were staffed by Nazi members

Hitler Secures Absolute Power When the president of Germany died in 1934, Hitler’s cabinet passed a law that abolished the office of president Hitler became the sole ruler of Germany People took oaths of loyalty to their Fuhrer or “Leader” Hitler had obtained absolute power, and Germany became known as the Third Reich

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The Nazi State, 1933-1939 Hitler wanted to develop an Aryan racial state the would dominate Europe for centuries. Wanted a totalitarian state. Hitler had to have the active involvement of the people to achieve this. “There is no longer any arbitrary will, there are no longer any free realms in which the individual belongs to himself… The time of personal happiness is over.” Accomplished this in a number of ways: 1. Terror 2. Economics 3. Spectacles, Organizations, & Propaganda 4. Policies towards women and Jews

1. Terror The SS (Guard Squadrons) The SS were originally Hitler’s private bodyguards and were led by Heinrich Himmler They arrested and killed anyone who challenged Hitler The SS took over law enforcement in Germany and implemented the ‘Final Solution’ Himmler

FEAR “Otto Bauer, a 56 year old business man, said on a train in June 1942 that Germans had two alternatives: to kill Hitler or be killed by him. He was overhead by a married couple who reported him [to the Gestapo]. He was beheaded on September 16, 1943 for causing discontent and unrest.” It was by using fear that Hitler had stopped freedom of speech and expression – everyone had to obey Nazi policy, or face the consequences!

2. Economics Economics Initiated public works projects to put people back to work and end the Depression A massive rearmament program was the key to solving unemployment Unemployment was 5 million in 1932, dropped to less than 500,000 by 1937. The regime claimed full credit for solving Germany’s economic problems  led many Germans to accept Hitler and the Nazis

3. Spectacles, Organizations, & Propaganda Mass demonstrations evoked mass enthusiasm and excitement “Nuremberg Rallies” Nazis also controlled institutions like churches, schools, and universities Professional and youth organizations taught Nazi ideals Also controlled all media with propaganda (ex. movies that espoused Nazi ideas) “Propaganda Ministry” under Joseph Goebbels

Hitler Youth The Hitler Youth was an organization under the Nazi Party By 1936, they had over five million members in the organization They were indoctrinated in anti-Semitism, and even drafted into the military ranks during WWII

4. Policies Toward Women & Jews Women’s role was to birth children who would bring about the triumph of the Aryan race Traditional roles for women No heavy industrial jobs (might prevent childbirth) No doctors, professors Encouraged to be nurses, social workers, etc. “Get hold of pots and pans and broom and you’ll sooner find a groom!”

4. Policies Toward Women & Jews Anti-Jewish boycotts Racial laws (Nuremberg Laws) determined that anyone with one Jewish grandparent was considered Jewish Also took away German citizenship and civil rights, no intermarriage between Jews and Germans Eventually required to wear yellow Stars of David and carry ID cards

3. Policies Toward Jews More violent phase began on Nov. 9, 1938 with Kristallnacht (“night of shattered glass”) Nazis burned synagogues and destroyed 7,000 Jewish businesses At least 100 Jews killed 30,000 Jewish men sent to concentration camps This led to further drastic steps. Jews banned from public transportation and buildings (including schools and hospitals) Could not own, manage, or work in retail stores Encouraged to leave Germany by the SS

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Review! 1. How did Hitler FIRST try to obtain power in Germany? 2. What was the name of Hitler’s book and why was it important? 3. Why were Germans attracted to Hitler and the Nazi party in the beginning? 4. Why was the Enabling Act important to Hitler’s success? 5. How did the Nazis achieve a totalitarian state?

Homework! Quiz tomorrow over Ch. 15, Lessons 2 & 3!