Origins of World War II The Rise of Militarism: Hitler & Germany

War Debt and Reparations By 1920 the Allies owed the US $10 billion By 1920 the Allies owed the US $10 billion The only way Allies could pay was to collect reparations from Germany The only way Allies could pay was to collect reparations from Germany Germany – forced to borrow $ to pay reparations Germany – forced to borrow $ to pay reparations - also printed more $ - led to massive inflation - also printed more $ - led to massive inflation

Hitler’s Reaction Hitler was a young and bitter WWI vet at this time Hitler was a young and bitter WWI vet at this time Needed someone to blame for Germany’s problems Needed someone to blame for Germany’s problems Became convinced that politicians, Jews, and Communists lost WWI not the German army Became convinced that politicians, Jews, and Communists lost WWI not the German army

Hitler’s Reaction Hitler joined the National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZI) – very radical Hitler joined the National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZI) – very radical Beer Hall Putsch – tried to overthrow gov in 1923 Beer Hall Putsch – tried to overthrow gov in 1923 His efforts failed and he was placed in jail His efforts failed and he was placed in jail

Hitler & Mein Kampf While in jail he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) While in jail he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) Laid out his plans to restore German power Laid out his plans to restore German power 1 – re-armament 1 – re-armament 2 – War w/ France 2 – War w/ France 3 – War w/ Soviets 3 – War w/ Soviets

Hitler & Mein Kampf Hitler blamed the Jews, Communists, and intellectuals for German decline Hitler blamed the Jews, Communists, and intellectuals for German decline Germany falls into deep depression Germany falls into deep depression Many who had been ruined by the depression supported Hitler Many who had been ruined by the depression supported Hitler

Hitler’s Rise to Power 1932 the Nationalist Socialist Party (Nazis) came to power 1932 the Nationalist Socialist Party (Nazis) came to power Hitler is elected Chancellor of Germany Hitler is elected Chancellor of Germany Hitler & his Third Reich (Empire) claim dictatorial powers through Martial Law – Hitler & his Third Reich (Empire) claim dictatorial powers through Martial Law – Became Fuhrer in 1934 Became Fuhrer in 1934

Hitler’s Policies Believed in “Racial Hygiene” Believed in “Racial Hygiene” Prohibited all Jews and non-Nazis from holding government positions Prohibited all Jews and non-Nazis from holding government positions Outlawed strikes and mandated military service Outlawed strikes and mandated military service Nazi soldiers (Brownshirts) crushed all opposition Nazi soldiers (Brownshirts) crushed all opposition Violated the Treaty of Versailles by rearming Germany Violated the Treaty of Versailles by rearming Germany

Changes to Economy and Culture Women stay at home – awarded for having four or more babies Cut unemployment w/ public building projects – roads, dams, railroads Berlin – 1936 Olympics Creation of Volkswagen – “People’s Car”

Hitler’s Early Expansion March 1936 March 1936 German troops occupy the RhinelandGerman troops occupy the Rhineland Alliance w/ Japan - Alliance w/ Japan - German troops overrun Austria - German troops overrun Austria

Hitler’s Early Expansion Sudetenland Region: Sudetenland Region: -Part of Czechoslovakia -Part of Czechoslovakia -Had 3 million German- speaking residents -Had 3 million German- speaking residents -Hitler demanded the region but Czechoslovakia refused -Hitler demanded the region but Czechoslovakia refused

Sudetenland Given to Germany in part of the Munich Agreement Britain – “the peace of our time” Hitler felt cheated out of War

Anti-Semitism = prejudice and or hostility towards Jews = prejudice and or hostility towards Jews - became the official policy of the German government - became the official policy of the German government 1933 – 500,000 Jews in Germany 1933 – 500,000 Jews in Germany Jews not allowed to own guns Jews not allowed to own guns

Nuremberg Laws Instituted in 1935 Instituted in 1935 Deprived Jews of their German citizenship and authorized the destruction of Jewish property Deprived Jews of their German citizenship and authorized the destruction of Jewish property Jews cannot marry Germans Jews cannot marry Germans

Fleeing the Country Wealthy and famous Jews could flee the country Wealthy and famous Jews could flee the country Albert EinsteinAlbert Einstein Sigmund FreudSigmund Freud Most could not and had to stay and deal with Hitler Most could not and had to stay and deal with Hitler