1. World War II – The Rise of Hitler Adolf Hitler was born on April 20 1889 in a small Austrian town that bordered Germany. In Old German, Adolf means “noble wolf.” Hitler was a poor high school student. At the age of 16, Hitler dropped out. 1909: Hitler moves to Vienna He tried to become an artist. He was rejected twice at the Academy of Art in Vienna. By age 21 in 1910, he was penniless and homeless.

2. World War II – The Rise of Hitler During this time, he started to develop his prejudices about Jews. Due to different religious practices and costumes (…especially Orthodox Jews), Hitler claimed Jews were natural enemies of the Aryan race. Socialism was growing in Europe, and Hitler linked many of the economic problems in Austria to Socialism. Many leaders of Socialism were Jewish. In 1913, Hitler moved to Germany.

3. World War II – The Rise of Hitler At the start of WWI in 1914, Hitler entered the German army. He saw active duty as a message runner. He was wounded twice and survived a gas attack. For his service, he earned First and Second Class Iron Cross medals. He was never promoted… perhaps because he was not a German citizen. Hitler was shocked when Germany surrendered in 1918. The German army was still in France, and Hitler was convinced the soldiers had been “stabbed in the back” by politicians in Germany. How would Hitler respond to the Treaty of Versailles that forced Germany to destroy its military, give up land and pay for war damages?

4. World War II – The Rise of Hitler Hitler’s response to the Treaty of Versailles …he despised it. He began to use “international Jewry”, communists and weak German politicians as scapegoats for the loss. In 1919, Hitler joined the Free Corps, an organization of war veterans in opposition to those who “lost the war”: profiteers, politicians and Jews were blamed as those who “stabbed the army in the back” He joined the German Workers Party, and transformed the party to the National Socialist German Workers Party. Hitler introduced the 25-point program: revoking the Versailles Treaty, confiscating war profits, revoking civil rights for Jews, blaming the Jews for inflation, political instability, unemployment and defeat of Germany in WWI By 1921, he became leader of the party. He began using the swastika as a party symbol. The acronym of the National Socialist Party is NAZI

5. The Beer Hall Putsch 1923 On 8 November 1923, Hitler tried to use force to overthrow the government in Bavaria, a province of Germany. The coup, known as the Beer Hall Putsch, failed. In 1924, Hitler was sentenced to five years in jail for conspiracy to commit treason. Bavarian Prime Minister was addressing a meeting of around 3000 businessmen at a beer hall in Munich. Hitler would serve only one year…due to good behaviour and the view he was not a threat to the public. The coup had failed, but Hitler became noticed. If force and military action had failed, what do you would he do next?

6. Mein Kampf published in 1925 In English, it means “My Struggle”. It is an autobiography and a description of Nazism. Hitler began writing the chapters in prison, but it was completed after his release with the help of Rudolf Hess. Main Points of MEIN KAMPF: -destroy the Treaty of Versailles -gain a “living space” (LEBENSRAUM) for Germany in Europe -unite all Germans that had been separated by the Versailles Treaty by the policy of ANSCHLUSS -create a pure Germany (in terms of race) What do you think happens next?

7. Hitler Becomes Politically Active Within the Nazi Party, he centralizes power (i.e., only he can elect party officials). The Great Depression hit Germany harder…perhaps harder than any other European country. The German unemployment rate was more than 50%. The German mark was worthless. The German government tried a variety of programs to offset the Depression, but they failed. In addition, the USA demanded Germany repay the loans the USA gave to Germany to rebuild after WW1. Hitler linked the Treaty of Versailles to Germany’s economic woes and limited position within Europe. He did not blame only Jews; rather, he linked the Treaty to other political parties in Germany. What would Hitler say about the Depression and the Treaty of Versailles to gain support from the German public?

8. World War II – The Rise of Hitler Hitler promised to tear up the Treaty of Versailles Hitler promised to create jobs. Hitler promised to restore Germany’s glory and ensure a greater share of the “world’s economic pie”. Hitler promised to rebuild Germany’s military machine. Hitler promised to remove Jews and other unwanted groups from jobs and positions of power. Hitler promised to respect WWI veterans with larger pensions. Do you think Hitler won the next German election?

9. World War II – The Rise of Hitler The coIlapse of the German economy in 1929 persuaded more Germans to vote for the Nazis Hitler did not win the 1932 German election. No one won a clear majority. So, Hitler was asked to form a coalition government with other parties. By 1933, the Nazi Party held the greatest number of seats in the German Parliament. NOTE: 63% of Germans did not vote for Hitler. They failed to vote with a unified voice against the Nazi. 1933: Hitler was appointed Chancellor (Prime Minister) of Germany by President Hindenburg This action did not make Hitler the supreme leader of Germany. His political competition was the Communist Party AND the role of Chancellor was below the German President. What do you think Hitler did next?

10. Reichstag Fire 1933 Crucial event in the establishment of the Nazi Regime The German parliament (the Reichstag) was burned down Hitler blamed the communists for having started the fire in a plot against the Nazis to take over power. Using the fire as a justification, Hitler convinces President Hindenburg to invoke Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution in order to protect public safety. This article suspends the constitution in times of emergency, allowing the president to make rules without the consent of the parliament and to suspend (put on hold) civil rights, like freedom of speech, in order to protect public safety.

11. The Enabling Act 1933 and The Furher 1934 Hitler passes the Enabling Act (power to make own laws, abolish political parties and open concentration camps). It was signed by President von Hindenburg. This Law gave Hitler the right to govern by decree, so he could create laws without the approval of the German parliament One of the first things he did was ban all political parties except his own With no opposition, Hitler won the next election by a landslide. 1934: President Hindenburg dies Hitler names himself Furher (the leader) by combining the Chancellorship and the Presidency Germany withdrew from the League of Nations.

12. The Night of the Long Knives (1934) 30 June 1934 The goal was to assassinate all members of the Nazi party that could betray Hitler Hundreds were killed There was now no opposition to Hitler

13. World War II – The Rise of Hitler He begins to rearm Germany, ignoring Versailles 1935: Violates Treaty of Versailles by introducing military conscription 1936: Germany marches into Rhineland (violation of Treaty of Versailles) and League of Nations takes no action

14. World War II – The Rise of Hitler Elsewhere…at the same time… In 1931, Japan invades Manchuria (China). Some of the most notorious war atrocities occur during this invasion. Canada and many other nations are in the depths of the Great Depression. Needing Japan as an economic trading partner, the nations of the world do nothing. In 1935, Mussolini and Italy invade Abyssinia (Africa). The Canadian delegate to the League of Nations proposes a boycott on trade with Italy that includes Canadian oil. Italy needs oil for its war machines. The suggested boycott is rejected in Canada. Catholic Canadians have sympathy for Italy because it is home for the Pope. In 1936, Germany, Italy and Japan sign a pact. It was later expanded to include Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria. This is the Axis Powers.