Map Test  Get out two highlighters of different colors.  1-13 Countries, * Requires Capitals: highlight one color  A-H Physical Features: highlight another color  G is Extra Credit

Hitler and the Rise of Nazi Germany

The Weimar Republic’s Rise and Fall 1919 (end of WWI) German leaders draft a constitution creating the Weimar Republic.  Democratic; parliamentary system.  Bill of rights.  Women had the right to vote.

The Weimar Republic’s Rise and Fall Political Struggles  The new republic struggled because it had many small parties vying for power.  Communists, liberals, conservatives, supporters of the old nobility.  Many wanted a strong leader like the Bismarck.  All thought the new gov. was weak for accepting the treaty.  All Germans hated the humiliation of the Versailles treaty.  Many looked for someone to blame for their economic problems…Jews.

The Weimar Republic’s Rise and Fall Runaway Inflation  France occupied the coal rich Ruhr Valley.  German workers were expected to work for French interests; protested and refused to work.  German gov. supported this and continued to pay striking workers.  With reparations and paying striking workers Germany had to print huge quantitates of money; money worth nothing.  The economy crashed, fortunes were lost.

The Weimar Republic’s Rise and Fall Recovery and Collapse  Western powers stepped in to help.  Reduced reparations.  Contributed funds through trade.  France gave back Ruhr, coal mining.  The Great Depression hits.  Countries can’t help anymore, German economy collapses.  Turns to Hitler who promises to restore German pride and fix the economy.

The Nazi Party’s Rise to Power  Hitler was a German Austrian, they felt superior to other ethnic groups…  Especially Jews.  That superiority complex played a huge role in his development.  He joined other pro-German Nationalists and became their leader.  His party; National Socialist German Workers; Nazis.  Storm troopers, his version of black shirts.

The Nazi Party’s Rise to Power Hitler Comes to Power  Hitler’s program appealed to all parts of German society.  Veterans, middleclass, small-town, workers, and business people alike.  He promised to end reparations, create jobs, and rearm Germany.  The conservatives had a lot of power but fear communism so turned to Hitler  The Great Depression helped Hitler; more unemployment and problems the more people needed a savior.

The Nazi Party’s Rise to Power Hitler Comes to Power  In the democratic government both the Nazi party (not completely evil yet) and the communist party gained more seats in the legislature.  Conservatives hated Hitler but feared the communists; turn to Hitler because they think they can control him.  With conservative support Hitler was named chancellor through legal means.  Within a year Hitler was Germany’s dictator.  Suspended civil rights.  Destroyed the communist and socialist parties.  Became a one party state.  Executed any Nazis who did not agree with him.

The Third Reich Controls Germany  First Reich=medieval Roman Empire  Second Reich=created under the Bismarck in  Third Reich=created by Hitler, the German master race will rule for a 1,000 years.  Hitler combated the Great Depression with public works projects (employed many Germans).  Built highways, housing etc.  Rearmed Germany and reunited it with Austria.  All this was a strong rejection of the Versailles treaty.

The Third Reich Controls Germany Germany Becomes a Totalitarian State  Nazis controlled every aspect of German life.  Religion  Education  Information  His elite troops, SS, were brutal enforces.  Secret police, the Gestapo, hunted the opposition.  The people saw the drop in unemployment and return of power and cheered him on.  All opposition was killed.

The Third Reich Controls Germany The Campaign Against the Jews  1935 Nuremburg Laws were passed; deprived Jews of citizenship and restricted their rights.  No teaching or attending German schools, holding gov. jobs, no law or medicine, publishing books  Nazis robbed and beat Jews.  German Jews flee the country. Night of Broken Glass  Nov. 7, 1938 a Jew who wanted revenge shot and wounded a German diplomat in Paris.  Hitler used it as an excuse to attack all Jews.  Kristallnacht, Nov. 9-10, Nazi-led mobs attack Jews across Germany, Austria, and Czechoslovakia.  Hitler begins to plan his final solution.

The Third Reich Controls Germany Nazi Youth  Indoctrinated the youth in Nazi propaganda.  Taught to destroy German enemies with no mercy.  Schools and textbooks rewritten to support Nazi views; race.  Fitness classes to prepare for war.  Women were given rewards for having “pure- blooded” Aryan children.

The Third Reich Controls Germany Purging German Culture  Seeking to purify German culture Hitler:  Denounced modern art (blamed Jews).  Condemned Jazz (African Roots).  Glorified old German myths.  Hated Christianity (weak and flabby).  Created a state church that was controlled by Nazis.