The Rise of Adolph Hitler
How a Monster Won Over a Nation
Hitler and the Nazis
• Born in Austria in 1889• Became a homeless drifter
after an unhappy childhood• Eagerly joined the German
Army at the outset of World War II
• He was an able and courageous soldier
• Never rose above the rank of Corporal
Hitler andThe Nazis
• He was upset when Germany was defeated and swore revenge on “socialists and Jewish traitors who stabbed Germany in the back”
• He joined the Nazi Party in its infancy
• His primary aim was to restore Germany and defeat its enemies
• His passionate speeches and organizational skills soon made him party leader
The Nazi PartyGains Popularity
• Hitler made being a Nazi exciting and organized the party along military lines
• Had their own salute, uniform, its own songs, and its own symbol – the swastika
• They marched through small towns
• The “brown shirts” storm troopers broke up Communist rallies, attacked homes and businesses of Jews and struck terror in the hearts of other traitors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEghwtj1lSU&bpctr=1353292228
Hitler Gains Power
• In 1933, the Nazis were the largest party in the German Parliament
• They did not however hold a majority of seats
• Hitler is asked to become Chancellor but will only accept if he is given dictatorial powers
• That evening the Nazis held torchlight parades
• Swept along by the excitement, the crowds chant “SIEG HEIL!” (Hail Victory)
Why Hitler Was Popular in Germany
• Even those that didn’t vote for him were happy to have a strong leader in charge
• Germans thought he would solve all of the country’s problems
• Seen as an inspiring leader and brilliant and hypnotizing speaker
• People who attended these rallies felt like they were part of a great movement
Why Hitler WasPopular in Germany
• Used these rallies to preach his hatred and propaganda
• The Great Depression hit Germany especially hard and many people blamed the new democratic party for the economic hardships
• Many hoped the Nazis would help get the German people back to work
Why Hitler WasPopular in Germany
• They used scare tactics to oppress their opposition so some people supported them out of fear
• They gave the German people a scapegoat for their troubles (The Jews and Communists)
• They claimed Germans were the ‘master race’ and superior to all other peoples
• Blamed Germany’s problems on the Treaty of Versailles and tore it up in front of cheering crowds
Hitler Keeps His Promised
• Under his rule, the economy recovered and many Germans were back at work
• New roads and bridges were built all over the country
• He defied the Treaty of Versailles and starts building tanks, guns, warships and planes
Hitler KeepsHis PRomises
• He rebuilt the German army
• In January 1936, he took his new tanks and crossed into the Rhineland, an area that was supposed to be demilitarized forever
• The Allies protested mildly but did nothing to stop him
Hitler Takes Complete Control
• The Nazis destroyed all traces of democracy in Germany
• Anyone who spoke out against the Nazis and their philosophies found themselves in concentration camps
• Jews lost their jobs and were persecuted in many ways
Hitler TakesComplete Control
• Newspapers printed Nazi propaganda and radios broadcast it as well
• Schools, churches, unions and the army were all under Nazi conrol
• The Gestapo, Hitler’s secret police was everywhere and enforced the party line