Nazi Germany

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Who is Adolf Hitler? Adolf Hitler was leader of Germany during the Third Reich (1933 – 1945) and the primary instigator of both the Second World War in Europe and the mass execution of millions of people deemed to be "enemies" or inferior to the Aryan ideal. He was of Austrian background. After WW1 Hitler became convinced he was destined to save Germany. In 1919, working for an army unit, he was assigned to spy on a political party of roughly 40 idealists called the German Workers Party. Instead he joined it, swiftly rose to a position of dominance (he was chairman by 1921) and renamed it the Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP). He gave the party the Swastika as a symbol and organised a personal army of ‘storm troopers’ (the SA) and a bodyguard of black shirted men, the SS, to attack opponents.

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Jewish Diaspora Diaspora: the dispersion of the Jews outside Israel; from the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in BC when they were exiled to Babylonia up to the present time. Today’s meaning: The dispersion of any people from their original homeland Due to political and religious unrest in the Middle East, the Jewish people had no choice but to emigrate to Eastern and Western Europe.

The use of Terror The SS –an elite group of committed Nazis, used to eliminate the SA (Storm Troopers) in June 1934 –charged with internal security –guarded concentration camps –hunted political enemies –commanded by Heinrich Himmler

The use of Terror The Gestapo – The secret state police. Used to suppress hostility to the regime at home and in occupied territories. –Commanded by Heinrich Himmler

The use of Terror Concentration Camps –run by the SS to detain enemies of the state –Dachau 1933 –Prisoners Jews, political, priests, anti- socials –By 1939 six camps were operating. –Extermination Camps Auschwitz-Birkenau

Role of Propaganda The Press –all non Nazi newspapers and magazines were taken over or closed –all content was strictly controlled Radio All stations under state control. Cheap mass produced radios sold. Sets installed in cafes and factories. All Hitlers speeches broadcast.

Role of Propaganda Films : Over made all approved by Joseph Goebbels. All films given a pro Nazi stance

Role of Propaganda Rallies and Campaigns –Annual rally at Nuremburg –1936 Olympic Games, used as propaganda –Local rallies and fund raising led by the Hitler Youth and local party organisations –Posters used to promote Nazi ideals

Role of Propaganda Books and Art –writers, and composers persuaded or forced to produce works in praise of Hitler –Books written by Jews, Communists etc were banned and many destroyed in public book burning in 1933 –Jazz music banned because of its black origins

The Poisonous Mushroom The Poisonous Mushroom was a collection of 17 short stories by the Nazi writer Ernst Hiemer, with pictures by the Nazi artist Fips. The purpose of the stories was to indoctrinate (brainwash) young German children to despise and hate the Jews. The stories infiltrated the thoughts and beliefs of German children. By studying them, historians can observe how the Nazis thought, and how they taught their children to think the same way as them.

In the first story of the book, a German mother explains to her son how there are good and bad people, just as there are edible and poisonous mushrooms. The Jews, she tells him, are a 'poison' within Germany. 'Just as a single poisonous mushroom can kill a whole family, so a solitary Jew can destroy a whole village, a whole city, even an entire folk.' she warns him.

By thus enticing the young German readers to empathise with the heroes, the writer was able to draw German children in to absorbing his opinions. The children are shown as 'finding out' the truth about the Jews. In doing so, they prove themselves good boys and girls who please their parents and teachers. In one story, the teacher - a trusted authority who children naturally believe - teaches the children about Jewish features: 'One can tell a Jew by his nose. The Jewish nose is bent at the tip. It looks like a figure 6.' When he turns round the board, the children read and learn this verse: From a Jew's face The wicked Devil speaks to us, The Devil who, in every country, Is known as evil plague. Would we from the Jew be free, Again be gay and happy, Then must youth fight with us To get rid of the Jewish Devil.

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Persecution of the Jews - Hitler blamed the Jews for Treaty of Versailles Territory: Alsace Lorraine, captured by Germany in 1870, was returned to France. The Saar, an important German coalfield, was to be given to France for 15 years, after which a plebiscite would decide ownership. Poland became an independent country with a 'route to the sea', a corridor of land cutting Germany in two. Danzig, a major port in East Prussia (Germany) was to be under international rule. All German and Turkish Colonies were taken away and put under Allied control. Finland, Lithuania, Latvia and Czechoslovakia were made independent. Austria-Hungary was split up and Yugoslavia was created.

Arms: The left bank of the Rhine was to be occupied by Allied forces and the right bank demilitarised. The German army was cut to 100,000 men. Wartime weapons were to be scrapped. The German Navy was cut to 36 ships and no submarines. Germany was banned from having an Air Force An anschluss (union) between Germany and Austria was banned. Reparations and Guilt: In the 'war guilt' clause Germany has to accept total blame for the war. Germany had to pay roughly £6000 million in compensation. The League of Nations: A League of Nations was to be created to prevent further world conflict.

Reactions: Germany lost 13% of its land, 12% of its people, 48% of its iron resources, 15% of it agricultural production and 10% of it coal. Perhaps understandably, German public opinion soon swung against this 'Diktat', while the Germans who signed it were called the 'November Criminals'. Britain and France felt the treaty was fair – they actually wanted harsher terms imposed on the Germans – but the United States refused to ratify it because they didn't want to be part of the League of Nations.

–Inflation 1923 –Economic collapse (Great Depression)

Persecution of the Jews 1933 –boycott of Jewish shops Jews excluded from Government jobs Thousands of professional Jewish people were dismissed from jobs Jews banned from public places, parks, swimming pools etc.

Persecution of the Jews The Nuremburg Laws 15 September 1 - The Reich Law on citizenship - only those of German blood can be citizens, and have the right to vote. 2- Law for the protection of German Blood and Honour - forbids marriage or sexual relations between Jews and German citizens

Persecution of the Jews –The professional activity of Jews is banned or restricted - includes vets, doctors, dentists, accountants, teachers and nurses –1938 Qualifications of Jewish doctors is cancelled

Persecution of the Jews Kristalnacht - 9th November –Following the murder of a German diplomat in Paris by a Jew a campaign is started which lasted 3 days and targets Jewish shops, homes and synagogues. 90 killed arrested and sent to concentration camps –Jewish children excluded form schools and Universities

Persecution of the Jews Jews no longer allowed to run businesses and shops –forbidden to own radios and to buy cakes and chocolate – Jews deported from Germany Jews in occupied territories moved into ghettos and used as slave labour. Special SS groups formed to deal with the Jews. Gassing in ovens starts

Persecution of the Jews The Wannsee Conference Jan 1942 Decision taken by Nazi leaders led by Heydrich, SS General, meet to discuss the final solution Decision to evacuate all Jews to extermination camps in Poland is taken Over 4.5 million Jews killed in death camps

Persecution of minorities Homosexuals, Gypsies, ill people and other undesirables sent to concentration camps Mentally ill sent to concentration camps The Euthanasia programme –people judged worthless to the regime were killed. –5,000 children 71, 000 adults –Stopped in 1941 after protest from Pope –Forced Sterilisation programme to prevent contamination of the Aryan race

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Mein Kampf “What we must fight for is to safeguard the existence and reproduction of our race and our people, the sustenance [nourishment] of our children and the purity of our blood, the freedom and independence of the fatherland, so that our people may mature for the fulfillment of the mission allotted [given] to it by the creator of the universe”. What are your thoughts on the implications of blind devotion to a leader?