Rise of Hitler

Hitler’s Early Life

At the time of 1908, Hitler began a movement → beliefs that Germans were the master race. He was an aspiring painter, yet rejected twice.

Hitler and Early Politics

Hitler helped formed the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi) in 1919 and assumed leadership in 1921.

Beer Hall Putsch (Pooch)

Attempt by Hitler to seize power and overthrow the Bavarian government → signing the Treaty of Versailles. The attempt failed and Hitler was imprisoned for five years for high treason → he was released cause he was not considered a threat in society.

Mein Kampf

Hitler wrote the book while in prison. Became the Nazi Ideology → it attacked Jews, communists, demoracy → Treaty of Versailles. Also wrote that Germany needed to destroy France and conquer Russia, → destroy other things. Was sold/distributed 10 million copies.

Hitler’s Rise to Power

By 1932, the Nazi political party was the biggest poltiical party and held 230 seats. Demanded to be appointed chancellor → initially rejected and then appointed chancellor. Just before the 1933, the parliament was burned to the ground → the president of Germany granted the Nazi Party the power to quash any poltiical opposition, and they intimidated and arrested socialist communist party members.

The Enabling Act

After the 1933 elections, Hitler proposed the Enabling Act, which would have essentially given him dictatorship → actually passed. It banned all political parties. Germany became an one party state. Jews was not allowed to be in civil service professions. Local an state governments were staffed by Nazi members

Hitler Secures Absolute Power

When the president of Germany died in 1934, Hitler’s cabinet passed a law that would proclaim the presidency to him → rather than holding elections. The military swore on oath to Hitler, not the state. Hitler had obtained ultimate power → Germany had become the Third Reich.

True Believers

These people shared the same ideologies as Hitler and believed he was their saviour → from the depression, the Jews, the Communists and the Treaty of Versailles

New Party needed

The depression and hyperinflation needed the need for a new political leadership.

What was Hitler asking for?

He made the Blitzkreig, or the “Lightning War” → he invaded Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands and France.

Hitler’s Foreign Policy: Return of German Speaking Lands

Non-aggression Pact: Russia stays out of war in return of ½ of Poland.

Hitler Foreign Policy: Reunite Germany by Reclaiming the lands ‘stolen’ from the Treaty of Versailles

He wanted to create a union of all ‘German speaking’ areas of Europe and a little bit more. He wanted to create an union with Austriia (where he was born) and the Greater Germany was only for ‘Pure Germany’ → Jews were considered inferior.

Hitler’s Foreign Policy: Lebrensraum in the East

Hitler was obsessed about Germany growing bigger → wanted Lebrensraum for Germans to live and exploit. It was to be in the east (Russia, Poland, etc.)

Hitler’s Foreign Policy: Rebuild Germany’s Military

He could only achieve the foreign policy aims using military force. → Would need to break the TOV. → Hitler’s economic goals were focusing on rebuilding the military and rearming Germany once again.

Hitler’s Foreign Policy: Destroy Versailles

He refused to pay reparations, aimed to unite Germany’s lost territories and building up Germany’s army again.

Hitler’s Foreign Policy: Destroy Communism

Hitler made no secret of the Nazi hatred of communism. People feared the threat of communism with the huge Soviet Union close to Germany’s borders and a strong communist following in the country.