Nazi Germany (1933-1939)
Hitler’s Early Life and Entry into Politics
Born in 1889 in Austria. He moved to Germany in 1913.
Served in WWI: He was a soldier in the German Army and was wounded twice. He was angered by Germany’s surrender in 1918.
Joined the Nazi Party (1920): Originally called the German Workers’ Party, it became the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP or Nazi Party).
Beer Hall Putsch (1923): A failed coup attempt in Munich to overthrow the Weimar government. Hitler was arrested and sentenced to five years but served only nine months.
Wrote Mein Kampf (1925): While in prison, he wrote this book outlining his ideology, including:
Extreme nationalism (Germany must be strong again)
Anti-Semitism (blaming Jews for Germany’s problems)
Anti-Communism
Need for Lebensraum (living space) by expanding eastward
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3. Nazi Party’s Growth (1924–1932)
Rebuilding the Nazi Party: After his release, Hitler focused on legal ways to gain power.
Great Depression (1929): Millions lost jobs, and Germans lost faith in democracy. The Nazis promised jobs and stability.
Propaganda: Used posters, speeches, and radio to spread Nazi ideas. Joseph Goebbels, Hitler’s propaganda minister, played a key role.
Support from the Middle Class and Businessmen: Many feared communism and saw Hitler as the only leader who could restore order.
Elections: The Nazi Party won 18% of the vote in 1930 and became the second-largest party.
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4. Hitler Becomes Chancellor (1933)
1932 Presidential Election: Hitler ran against Paul von Hindenburg but lost. However, the Nazis were now the largest party in parliament.
Backroom Politics: Conservative elites convinced Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor on January 30, 1933, believing they could control him.
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5. Consolidation of Power (1933–1934)
Once in power, Hitler quickly eliminated opposition:
Reichstag Fire (February 1933): A Dutch Communist was blamed for setting fire to the German parliament. Hitler used this as an excuse to crack down on Communists and pass emergency laws.
Enabling Act (March 1933): Allowed Hitler to rule by decree, effectively making him a dictator.
Banning Political Parties: The Nazi Party became the only legal party by July 1933.
Night of the Long Knives (June 1934): Hitler ordered the execution of potential rivals within the Nazi Party, including Ernst Röhm and SA leaders.
Death of Hindenburg (August 1934): Hitler merged the positions of President and Chancellor, becoming Führer (leader) of Germany.
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6. The Nazi State (1934–1939)
Once in full control, Hitler transformed Germany into a totalitarian state:
Gestapo and SS: Secret police (Gestapo) and Heinrich Himmler’s SS crushed opposition.
Propaganda and Censorship: Media, books, and education were controlled to spread Nazi ideology.
Anti-Semitic Laws: The Nuremberg Laws (1935) stripped Jews of citizenship and rights.
Militarization and Expansion: Hitler rebuilt Germany’s military and began expanding, defying the Treaty of Versailles.
Hitler’s rise was fueled by economic collapse, resentment over the Treaty of Versailles, and political instability.
He used propaganda, violence, and legal means to gain power.
Once in control, he established a brutal dictatorship and pursued aggressive expansion, leading to WWII.
Weimar Germany (1919–1933): A Complete Overview
The Weimar Republic was the democratic government of Germany between the end of World War I (1918) and the rise of Adolf Hitler (1933). This period was marked by political instability, cultural explosion, and economic struggles. Weimar Germany was a fascinating era of extreme contrasts—a fragile democracy, radical culture, political violence, and economic highs and lows. It gave rise to avant-garde art, architecture, and cinema, but ultimately collapsed, paving the way for Nazi rule and World War II.