The Life and Rise of Adolf Hitler

Hitler’s Childhood Born April 20, 1889 near Linz, Austria on the German border Hitler dreamed of becoming an artist Became interested in German nationalism as a teen Father died when he was 13 - Hitler became head of household Eventually dropped out of school at age 16 Self-taught from then on

Loss and Disappointment At age 18, he went to Vienna to attend an art academy but failed to get in because his drawings were judged unsatisfactory Mother died of breast cancer in 1907, shortly after Hitler returned home Hitler devastated Failed to get into art academy a second time Ended up homeless on the streets of Vienna

Hitler's Artwork

Soldier and Spy At 24, Hitler left Vienna for Germany to avoid military service for Austria August 1914, volunteered for German Army Injured twice in the war Very upset with how WWI ended Believed Jews & politicians stabbed German Army in the back - sold them out to end war Hitler called them the November Criminals After Kaiser abdicates, Germany a republic Country had no experience with democracy Political and social chaos results

Soldier and Spy Becomes undercover agent for German army Supposed to root out Marxists Spies on German Workers' Party in 1919 Agrees with their nationalist, pro-military, anti-Semitic beliefs and joins them at age 30

The Nazi Party Hitler soon becomes part of leadership A strong speaker who convinced many to join group In 1920, develops the Twenty Five Points, the platform of the party Includes rejection of Versailles, demands for additional territories for German people (Lebensraum), and exclusion of Jews as citizens of Germany Also adopts the swastika for the party flag Changed the party name (1920) to National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP) called Nazi for short

The Führer In July of 1921, Hitler named Führer (leader) of the Nazi Party Told executive committee he would resign if they didn't make him sole leader They knew party would die without him

Hitler’s Political Ammunition In April of 1921, Britain & France demanded Germany pay damages from war - badly damaged German economy Germany asked to postpone but France refused Germany refused to pay so France occupied the industrial Ruhr region of Germany (1923) Economy virtually collapses - money worthless Govt. decides to pay - causes unrest among opposition groups

The Beer Hall Putsch Nazis (55,000 followers in 1923) decide to attempt to take over govt. On Nov. 8, 1923, Hitler stages the Beer Hall Putsch (revolt) Revolt fails - Hitler is jailed for 8 months Writes Mein Kampf (My Struggle) while in prison Reveals his political & racial ideas in detail Heavy focus on Jews as problem for Germany

A renewed push for power 1924 - Released from jail - Decides to try to get elected rather than overthrow govt. Reorganizes party Forms Hitler Youth Creates the SS (Schutzstaffel), his personal body guards (1926) Econ. conditions improved in Ger. (1926-29) Made Nazis less appealing Worked on getting Nazis elected into govt. Arrival of Great Depression the turning point

Revival of the Nazi Party Bad economy makes Nazis popular again Nazis run for office in 1930 w/ carefully staged campaign events Music, banners, uniforms, theatrical lighting Hitler's speeches promised greatness for Germany The Nazis - Hitler down to the bottom - worked tirelessly to get their message out

Nazis on the Rise Sept. 1930 - Nazis win 107 seats in German Reichstag (Parliament) Overnight, party goes from smallest to 2nd largest in Germany Gave Hitler international prestige Storm Troopers celebrated by smashing Jewish businesses Nazis had no intention of helping the govt. get stronger Was to their advantage to let things get worse

Hitler’s Base of Support Hitler had support of army General Staff and German industrialists Industrialists funded Nazis General Staff wanted Hitler to break Treaty of Versailles Hoped to rebuild and modernize army Nazis in Reichstag worked hard to disrupt govt. People saw a govt. in chaos Many looked to Hitler for leadership because he was decisive and promised a better future

The 1932 Elections Hitler decides to run for president in 1932 Runs against president & WWI hero Paul von Hindenburg Massive Nazi campaign effort w/ propaganda & rallies Hitler lost (36% to Hindenburg's 53%) But… elections revealed massive popularity of Nazi Party Nazis become the largest party in Reichstag A sign of things to come

Nazi Party Membership by Year

Hitler Becomes Chancellor January 1933 – President Hindenburg appointed Hitler to be his Chancellor Most hoped that Hitler would be less radical once he was part of the govt. Many believed that Hitler could be controlled Hitler was second only to Hindenburg in power If the elderly Hindenburg died, Hitler would assume power Hindenburg died in 1934 August 19, 1934 – plebiscite confirms Hitler as total leader of Germany