Adolf Hitler 1889-1945

Background Hitler was born in Austria Wanted to be an artist Rejected from Vienna’s art academy Is lost until WW I Serves in the German Army 4 years After WW I, the Weimar Republic rules Germany

Hitler  1918

Rise to Power Hitler seizes the German Workers Party in 1920 Renames it National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi for short) In 1923, Hitler attempts a small revolution Known as the Beer Hall Putsch It fails and Hitler is imprisoned for 1 year (Nazi party declines)

While in prison, Hitler dictated Mein Kampf Means “My Struggle” It declares the supremacy of the Aryan race Jews are inferior and are to blame for all troubles Discussed an inevitable conflict with the U.S. and the destruction of Soviet Union Great Depression 1929

1st volume

Hitler is appointed Chancellor in 1933 by a reluctant President Paul von Hindenburg On February 27th, the Reichstag building is set on fire Hitler blames the Communists The Reichstag passes the Enabling Act This gives Hitler dictatorial powers

Hindenburg dies in 1934 Hitler’s cabinet passes a law that makes the presidency dormant Instead, all power passes to Hitler (Fuhrer)

Hindenburg

Hitler’s Positive Policies Helped bring Germany out of the Depression Constructed dams, railways and the autobahn Constructed many new buildings and hosted the 1936 Summer Olympics

Hitler’s Negative Policies Starts rearming Germany, defies Treaty of Versailles Passed the Nuremberg Laws in 1935, made Jews 2nd class citizens Sets up concentration camps for opponents (Dachau 1933) Gestapo was his secret police The SS was an elite unit, Hitler’s guards

“Work Shall Set you Free” (Dachau)

Reichs Reich is the German word for “empire” 1st Reich Holy Roman Empire 800-1806 2nd Reich German Empire 1871-1918 3rd Reich Nazi Germany 1933-1945