NAZI GERMANY Do Not Write

TREATY OF VERSAILLES The treaty that ended the first world war had 440 clauses. 414 of those clauses were meant to punish Germany. Most Germans ended up feeling suffering and humiliation after the war.

THE WAR HAD BROUGHT: economic disaster to Germany a serious loss of man power near total disrespect for the government many thousands of armed and disillusioned former soldiers roaming the streets a civilian population traumatized by the impact of the war This was all before the anger that was to occur in Germany over the Treaty of Versailles

AFTER WORLD WAR I Germany was soon the brunt of the financial burden of the war. The German people’s morale was exceptionally low. Food shortages pushed people to the point of starvation. They looked to anything that could bring them out of the hardships. In steps a very persuasive and charismatic speaker who tells them he can make Germany great again.

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE Totalitarian – the state holds total authority over society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life. Controls - economy, education, art, science, private life and morals of citizens. Seeks to completely control the thoughts and actions of its citizens

CREATING A TOTALITARIAN STATE Having a dictatorship Employing only one ruling party Rule through fear Censorship of media Propaganda in media, government speeches and through education Criticism of the state is prohibited Mandatory military sign up Secret police forces Controlling reproduction of the population (either in hopes to increase or to decrease) Targeting of specific religious or political populations Development of a nationalist party

In 1933 over 9 million Jews lived in Europe Adolf Hitler got elected Chancellor in The German government quickly became a government where citizens lost basic rights. During the first six years of Hitler’s dictatorship, German Jews felt the effects of more than 400 decrees and regulations that restricted all aspects of their public and private lives.

NAZI PROPAGANDA

HITLER YOUTH Began in the 1920s… The youth was considered the future of Germany "The weak must be chiseled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather, and as hard as Krupp's steel.“ Adolf Hitler 1933 – 100,000 members 1936 – over 4,000, year olds Activities included: marching, bayonet drill, grenade throwing, trench digging, map reading, gas defense, use of dugouts, how to get under barbed wire and pistol shooting. Basically brain-washing and training new soldiers

BOOK BURNING MAY 10, 1933 The Germans burned thousands of “un-German” books. Among the authors whose works were burned was Helen Keller, an American whose belief in social justice encouraged her to champion disabled persons, pacifism, improved conditions for industrial workers, and women's voting rights.

GERMAN CONQUEST In less than two years Germany conquered much of Europe: Poland, Norway, Denmark, Belgium, France, Netherlands, Yugoslavia, Greece Then south-eastern Europe was focused on: Italy, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria All of the Jews in these areas would come under German authority.

TREATMENT OF JEWS Jews began to become more and more ostracized. German children were learning to hate them in school. The Jews were eventually moved to ghettos which kept them confined to a certain part of town. Then they were told they were going via train to a camp where work would make you free. When they arrived at the camps they were sorted into two groups – work and death. Those deemed fit would be sent to work. Those deemed unfit would be put to death. In the beginning death would come in a ditch, more than likely dug by the victims, then shot inside the ditch and buried there. Later huge rooms used for gassing victims and crematoriums would be built.

CONCENTRATION CAMPS

THE FALL Although the war was basically over for Germany by 1945, Hitler insisted that the Nazis fight until death. He denounced Nazi leaders who wanted to negotiate peace. He remained in Berlin until it was stormed by the Russians. On April 29 th he married his long-time mistress Eva Braun, on April 30 th, they committed suicide together. All in all, his refusal to retreat and back down caused the loss of hundreds of thousands of lives and ultimately cost Germany the war.

SCORCHED EARTH – IF I CAN’T HAVE IT, NO ONE CAN! Scorched earth is a tactic used by some where they destroy everything in their path. In this case Hitler ordered men to carry out a scorched earth policy before the advancing allied forces. (Nero Decree)

GERMANY TODAY Germans differentiate between Germany and Nazi-Germany To call someone a Nazi in Germany is a huge insult. In short, it is still difficult for many Germans when thinking of the country’s past.