1. Rise of Hitler
AC Reading Answers

2. 1.How were Jews treated in Germany prior to WWII?
They were frequently mistreated and often would be killed. These actions had happened for years prior to the Holocaust. This came in waves. During WWI, there was a Jews had a relatively significant amount of freedoms.
Jews burned alive for the alleged host desecration in Deggendorf, Bavaria, in 1338, and in Sternberg, Mecklenburg, in 1492; a woodcut from the Nuremberg Chronicle (1493)

3. 2.Who did Hitler blame for Him being denied into art school?
He blamed the Jews. This of course was unfounded but other people, even in America, felt the same way. Laws banning the amount of Jews allowed in schools were present at most ivy league schools in America including Harvard.
Vienna State Opera House, Adolf Hitler, 1912

4. 3. Describe the works of Freidrich Neitzsche
His works described a superior race and could be seen as one of the major influences of Nazism at the time. However, his works and ideas were in many cases taken out of context.
“A daring and ruler race is building itself up...The aim should be to prepare a trans valuation of values for a particularly strong kind of man, most highly gifted in intellect & will. This man and the elite around him will become the 'lords of the earth'” — The Will

5. 4. What caused the inflation in Germany?
We have covered this. Not spending time on this.

6. 5.Why would other countries apply high tariffs during a depression and why would that hurt an industrialized nation like Germany?
Many countries became afraid to spend money. The idea of “keep the money in your own country” became prevalent. It is worth noting that in many cases this theory doesn't work. In a continent such as Europe, there each country is dependent upon one another for their economic needs. Thus, trade is essential to a strong economy.

7. 6.Why was the Stock market Crash especially hard on Germany?
Germany had borrowed a significant amount of money from the United States in order to pay the reparations. When the stock market crashed, the United States called in the loans.

8. 7. Why was communism a genuine scare for Germany
7. Why was communism a genuine scare for Germany? (not found in the reading)
The country was poor and desperate. When people are poor and desperate, radical political beliefs become popular. Geographically, they were close to the Soviet Union. Also, it is worth noting that Karl Marx was German.

9. 8. In what two ways did the Brownshirts gain popular public opinion?
They would start riots and disorder in clashes with communists and other political parties and then they would blame it on the communists. They would also provide festivals and free food for people to gain their support.

10. 9. Why would Hitler burn down the Reichstag?
Hitler needed an event to scare and infuriate Germans enough into giving away their rights so that he can take full control.
Video

11. 10. Explain the Enabling Act.
The Enabling acting gave the executive branch full control for four years. This allowed him to destroy the democratic process.

12. 11. How did he deal with opposing political parties?
Hitler used a combination of threats to opposing leaders, alluring promises to their followers, and brute force to eliminate his enemies.
Worth Noting: he eliminated academics and other public servants by requiring them to join his labor groups headed by the Nazi party.

13. 12. What actions were taken in the “Night of the Long Knives?” Why?
During this, Hitler consolidated his power within his own party. Factions started to form within the Brownshirts and the Nazis and Hitler wanted to remain in control. He therefore killed off other party members to consolidate power.

14. 13. What is the Schutzstaffel?
This is the group that the Brownshirts evolved into. They were essentially the Nazi enforcers both at home and away.

15. 14. What public works was created to ensure a swift military response
14.What public works was created to ensure a swift military response? How do you think this helped their economy?
One of his biggest achievements was the highway system. This increased trade in Germany but it also gave him an easy way of moving troops swiftly across Europe. Our highway system was modeled after their system.

16. 15. How did Hitler use hate to unite a German people against what he perceived to be a common enemy?
He fostered an inaccurate hatred of the Jews by using propaganda regarding one instance to unite Germany in hatred of the Jews. He knew he would need the support of the people to continue so he did this through propaganda.

17. What is Kristallnacht?
We covered this in the Power Point.