The Rise of Adolf The Rise of Adolf HitlerHitler

The Early YearsThe Early Years

Born April 20Born April 20thth, 1889 in Austria, 1889 in Austria ParentsParents

– Alois Hitler – fatherAlois Hitler – father Wanted Hitler to be a civil servantWanted Hitler to be a civil servant

– Hitler wanted to be an artistHitler wanted to be an artist

– Klara Polzl – motherKlara Polzl – mother Perhaps the only loving relationship Hitler Perhaps the only loving relationship Hitler

hadhad

Hitler’s EducationHitler’s Education

Elementary = goodElementary = good High School = bad (no diploma)High School = bad (no diploma)

Moved to Vienna after his father died Moved to Vienna after his father died to become an artistto become an artist

Viennese Academy of Fine Viennese Academy of Fine ArtsArts

Passes day 1 of entrance examPasses day 1 of entrance exam Fails day 2 – can’t draw humans Fails day 2 – can’t draw humans

– Panel denied him acceptancePanel denied him acceptance Suggest architecture (no diploma)Suggest architecture (no diploma)

Hitler felt it was a Jewish conspiracyHitler felt it was a Jewish conspiracy– Majority of the panel was JewishMajority of the panel was Jewish

Death of KlaraDeath of Klara

December 1907December 1907

Some believe Hitler blamed the Some believe Hitler blamed the doctordoctor– Doctor was JewishDoctor was Jewish

Evidence shows Hitler was grateful for trying Evidence shows Hitler was grateful for trying to save her to save her

– Evidence suggest Klara and doctor were Evidence suggest Klara and doctor were friendsfriends

Increasing Anti-Semitism Increasing Anti-Semitism

After the death of Klara, Hitler After the death of Klara, Hitler returned to Vienna returned to Vienna – In 2 years is brokeIn 2 years is broke– Hitler would end up in a shelter for menHitler would end up in a shelter for men

Would be introduced to new levels of Anti-Would be introduced to new levels of Anti-SemitismSemitism

Forms of Anti-Semitism in Forms of Anti-Semitism in GermanyGermany

ReligiousReligious – Jews blamed for the death – Jews blamed for the death of Jesusof Jesus

EconomicEconomic – Jews took advantage of – Jews took advantage of the Catholic Church’s ban on usurythe Catholic Church’s ban on usury

RacialRacial – Jews were impurities in the – Jews were impurities in the German populationGerman population

PoliticalPolitical – Jews were able to infiltrate – Jews were able to infiltrate the governmentthe government

Influences on HitlerInfluences on Hitler

Lanz von LiebenfelsLanz von Liebenfels– Wrote about the superiority of the Aryan Wrote about the superiority of the Aryan

racerace– Detailed ways to eliminate Jews and other Detailed ways to eliminate Jews and other

inferior racesinferior races Genetic selection, sterilization, deportation, Genetic selection, sterilization, deportation,

forced labor, direct liquidationforced labor, direct liquidation Richard WagnerRichard Wagner

– Wrote plays that portrayed the rise of the Wrote plays that portrayed the rise of the underdogunderdog

– This is where Hitler would adopt his This is where Hitler would adopt his speaking stylespeaking style

Draft DodgerDraft Dodger

To avoid Austrian draft, he moved to To avoid Austrian draft, he moved to MunichMunich

Would be arrested and sent backWould be arrested and sent back Dismissed from Austrian military- too Dismissed from Austrian military- too

“sickly” looking“sickly” looking Moved back to Munich and sold Moved back to Munich and sold

paintings on the streetpaintings on the street

WWIWWI

Hitler would sign up with the Hitler would sign up with the Bavarian Army during WWIBavarian Army during WWI– show the dominance of the Aryan raceshow the dominance of the Aryan race

dispatch runner in the trenchesdispatch runner in the trenches– Wounded many times and awarded the Wounded many times and awarded the

Iron Cross First ClassIron Cross First Class

Nov. 11, 1918 - Germany surrendersNov. 11, 1918 - Germany surrenders Weimar Government = democratic govt.Weimar Government = democratic govt.

– Had replaced the KaiserHad replaced the Kaiser

““Stabbed in the Back” mythStabbed in the Back” myth– Germany didn’t lose, they were betrayed Germany didn’t lose, they were betrayed

by their governmentby their government– ““November CriminalsNovember Criminals” - nickname given ” - nickname given

to members of the Weimar Governmentto members of the Weimar Government

Post War DutiesPost War Duties

Hitler would remain as one of the Hitler would remain as one of the 100,000 soldiers in the Germany 100,000 soldiers in the Germany militarymilitary– Information officerInformation officer

Performed patriotic trainingPerformed patriotic training Covert spy to investigate political partiesCovert spy to investigate political parties

Introduction to PoliticsIntroduction to Politics

September 12, 1919September 12, 1919– Hitler would be at a beer hall Hitler would be at a beer hall

investigating the investigating the DAPDAP (German (German Worker’s Party)Worker’s Party) Openly NationalistOpenly Nationalist Anti-SemiticAnti-Semitic Anti-Weimar Anti-Weimar

– Hitler resigns from the military to join Hitler resigns from the military to join the DAPthe DAP Military members can’t be in political partiesMilitary members can’t be in political parties

DAP MembershipDAP Membership

Hitler became the propaganda officerHitler became the propaganda officer– Organized meetingsOrganized meetings– Recruit new membersRecruit new members

Hitler the OratorHitler the Orator

February 25February 25thth, 1920, 1920 Hufbrauhaus Beer HallHufbrauhaus Beer Hall

– 2000 people in attendance2000 people in attendance Hitler is the primary speaker of the Hitler is the primary speaker of the

meetingmeeting– Intends to announce the “25 Point Intends to announce the “25 Point

Platform”Platform” Co-written by Hitler and Anton DrexlerCo-written by Hitler and Anton Drexler

25 Point Platform25 Point Platform

Abolish the Treaty of VersaillesAbolish the Treaty of Versailles Only German blood people could be Only German blood people could be

citizenscitizens– Jews were specifically excluded from Jews were specifically excluded from

citizenshipcitizenship In support of other religions as long In support of other religions as long

as they don’t harm the stateas they don’t harm the state Economy need resources to surviveEconomy need resources to survive

– LebensraumLebensraum – “living space” – “living space”

Changing NamesChanging Names

DAP becomes the NSDAPDAP becomes the NSDAP– National Socialist German Workers PartyNational Socialist German Workers Party

Hitler eventually forces Drexler outHitler eventually forces Drexler out

Hitler is now known as the Hitler is now known as the FuhrerFuhrer

Organizing the PartyOrganizing the Party

Hitler saw propaganda as a key to successHitler saw propaganda as a key to success

1.1. SwastikaSwastika – official symbol of the partyofficial symbol of the party

2.2. Heil SaluteHeil Salute– Out stretch arm that dates back to the RomansOut stretch arm that dates back to the Romans

3.3. ParadesParades– Would be held before meetings – at least once Would be held before meetings – at least once

a weeka week– Hitler would often be keynote speakerHitler would often be keynote speaker

ParamilitaryParamilitary

SA – “Storm Troopers” or SA – “Storm Troopers” or “Brownshirts”“Brownshirts”– Paramilitary of the Nazi PartyParamilitary of the Nazi Party– Former members of the German militaryFormer members of the German military

By 1923 – 15,000 membersBy 1923 – 15,000 members

Ernst RohmErnst Rohm Active member of Active member of

the German the German militarymilitary

Supported the Supported the NSDAPNSDAP

connection connection between the SA between the SA and the German and the German militarymilitary

Reasons for Early Growth of the Reasons for Early Growth of the PartyParty

People felt betrayed after WWIPeople felt betrayed after WWI

Hitler fed off this angerHitler fed off this anger– Never offered solutionsNever offered solutions– Echoed problems and pointed fingersEchoed problems and pointed fingers

March on BerlinMarch on Berlin

Hitler will copy an idea from Hitler will copy an idea from Mussolini and stage a march Mussolini and stage a march

on Berlin.on Berlin.

Beer Hall Putsch – Nov. 8Beer Hall Putsch – Nov. 8thth-9-9thth 1923 1923

Hitler surrounds the beer Hitler surrounds the beer hall with 2000 SA troopshall with 2000 SA troops

Hitler and 50 troops enter Hitler and 50 troops enter the beer hallthe beer hall

Hitler announces that the Hitler announces that the “National Revolution” has “National Revolution” has begunbegun

BetrayedBetrayed

Hitler begins the mini-march on Hitler begins the mini-march on MunichMunich

Supporters betray Hitler and create a Supporters betray Hitler and create a traptrap– Hitler is supposedly shot, and later Hitler is supposedly shot, and later

arrestedarrested

The Trial of HitlerThe Trial of Hitler

Against all odds, Hitler uses Against all odds, Hitler uses his own trial for his benefit.his own trial for his benefit.

Trial of HitlerTrial of Hitler

Feb. and Mar. of 1924Feb. and Mar. of 1924 Hitler is tried for treasonHitler is tried for treason Hitler justified his actionsHitler justified his actions

– Was working for the German peopleWas working for the German people– He was a German patriotHe was a German patriot– Opposing the Weimar RepublicOpposing the Weimar Republic

Verdict = GuiltyVerdict = Guilty– 5 years in prison with possibility of parole5 years in prison with possibility of parole

Period of WaitingPeriod of Waiting

Name used by historians to describe Name used by historians to describe Hitler’s time in prison.Hitler’s time in prison.

Hitler served 9 months at a minimum Hitler served 9 months at a minimum security prisonsecurity prison

Three Lessons Learned in Three Lessons Learned in PrisonPrison

If Nazis were to come to power, he If Nazis were to come to power, he alone would have to lead themalone would have to lead them

Would have to create an alliance Would have to create an alliance with the German armywith the German army

If he was to come to power, he would If he was to come to power, he would have to do it legally.have to do it legally.

Mein Kampf – “My Struggle”Mein Kampf – “My Struggle”

Book that Hitler wrote in Book that Hitler wrote in prisonprison

Outlined three main points Outlined three main points 1.1. The right of the strong in The right of the strong in

racial conflictracial conflict

2.2. Right of superior nations to Right of superior nations to gain gain lebensraumlebensraum

3.3. Right of superior individuals Right of superior individuals to establish authoritarian to establish authoritarian leadership over the massesleadership over the masses

Hitler Reclaims PowerHitler Reclaims Power

Upon release Hitler quickly reclaims Upon release Hitler quickly reclaims power of the Nazi partypower of the Nazi party– Had left it in the hands of a lesser Had left it in the hands of a lesser

individual so that it would not grow individual so that it would not grow without Hitlerwithout Hitler

Political OpponentsPolitical Opponents Gregor StrassorGregor Strassor

– Member of the NSDAP since 1921Member of the NSDAP since 1921– Leader of the “National Socialist Working Leader of the “National Socialist Working

Assc.”Assc.” Assisted by Joseph GoebbelsAssisted by Joseph Goebbels

Bamberg ConferenceBamberg Conference – 1926 – 1926– Strassor = 45 minutes Strassor = 45 minutes – Hitler = 5 hours and emerges victorious Hitler = 5 hours and emerges victorious

Goebbels would join HitlerGoebbels would join Hitler

Depression and Depression and Political Political

Consequences Consequences

Dawes PlanDawes Plan

Fall of 1923 Fall of 1923 Charles Dawes Charles Dawes

– plan to extend reparation payments and plan to extend reparation payments and lower the payment amountlower the payment amount

– Would also start massive loans by US banksWould also start massive loans by US banks

– When Great Depression hits US recalls loansWhen Great Depression hits US recalls loans Germany dives into a depression tooGermany dives into a depression too

Unemployment in GermanyUnemployment in Germany

1928 – 1.8 million unemployed1928 – 1.8 million unemployed

1932 – 6 million unemployed1932 – 6 million unemployed– Lower class is affected the mostLower class is affected the most– Causes people to polarizeCauses people to polarize

Article 48Article 48

Section of Weimar Constitution Section of Weimar Constitution – In times of “national emergency” the In times of “national emergency” the

president would turn legislative power president would turn legislative power over to the chancellor until there are over to the chancellor until there are new electionsnew elections

– Idea = get new blood in governmentIdea = get new blood in government

ChancellorChancellor = leader of Reichstag = leader of Reichstag ReichstagReichstag = German parliament = German parliament

ReichstagReichstag

Total of 595 seats at the timeTotal of 595 seats at the time

By 1930, Nazis held 107 of the seatsBy 1930, Nazis held 107 of the seats– Didn’t hold a majority Didn’t hold a majority – Acted as obstructionistsActed as obstructionists

GOAL = get as many seats as possible in GOAL = get as many seats as possible in the new electionsthe new elections

Joseph GoebbelsJoseph Goebbels“Minister of Propaganda” “Minister of Propaganda”

1.1. Monthly DirectivesMonthly Directives– Identifiable themes and slogansIdentifiable themes and slogans

2.2. Nazi Speaker SchoolNazi Speaker School– train people how to give speechestrain people how to give speeches

3.3. Saturation Advertising Saturation Advertising – massive increase in campaigning massive increase in campaigning

before electionsbefore elections

Hitler and the Nazis Hitler and the Nazis on the Eve of Poweron the Eve of Power

Presidential Elections of Presidential Elections of 19321932

Paul von Hindenburg Paul von Hindenburg – 84 years old– 84 years old– president since 1925 president since 1925

and wants to retireand wants to retire

Hitler runs against Hitler runs against himhim

First Ballot – April 11First Ballot – April 11thth 1932 1932

Hindenburg receives 49.45% of the Hindenburg receives 49.45% of the votevote– Not a majority so there is a run off among Not a majority so there is a run off among

the top three candidatesthe top three candidates

Hindenburg – no party (military Hindenburg – no party (military officer)officer)

Hitler – NSDAP (Nazis)Hitler – NSDAP (Nazis) Thaelman – KPD (Communist)Thaelman – KPD (Communist)

Second BallotSecond Ballot

Hindenburg – 53%Hindenburg – 53% Hitler – 37%Hitler – 37% Thaelman – 10%Thaelman – 10%

Hindenburg is upset about runoffHindenburg is upset about runoff

New Chancellor and New New Chancellor and New ElectionsElections

Reichstag Elections of 1932Reichstag Elections of 1932– Nazis won 37.3% of the seatsNazis won 37.3% of the seats– Since they are the largest party, Hitler believes he Since they are the largest party, Hitler believes he

should be the Chancellorshould be the Chancellor Hindenburg refusesHindenburg refuses

– Hindenburg offers Hitler the chance to be Vice-Hindenburg offers Hitler the chance to be Vice-ChancellorChancellor

Hitler refusesHitler refuses

Chancellor Von Papen dissolves the Reichstag and holds Chancellor Von Papen dissolves the Reichstag and holds new electionsnew elections– Believes the Nazis are worn outBelieves the Nazis are worn out

Nazis go from 37.3% to 33.1%Nazis go from 37.3% to 33.1%

Hitler as ChancellorHitler as Chancellor Von Papen proves ineffectiveVon Papen proves ineffective

– Hindenburg is persuaded to give Hitler a chanceHindenburg is persuaded to give Hitler a chance

Hitler became Chancellor because of Hitler became Chancellor because of ineffectiveness of the previous Chancellorsineffectiveness of the previous Chancellors

January 30, 1933– Hitler dissolves the Reichstag January 30, 1933– Hitler dissolves the Reichstag and calls for new electionsand calls for new elections– Wanted a majority in the ReichstagWanted a majority in the Reichstag– Wanted to make sure that nothing would get Wanted to make sure that nothing would get

done so that Article 48 would be decreeddone so that Article 48 would be decreed

Burning of the ReichstagBurning of the Reichstag

Feb. 28Feb. 28thth 1933 – the Reichstag is set 1933 – the Reichstag is set on fireon fire– Marinus von der Lubbe is blamed for the Marinus von der Lubbe is blamed for the

firefire Dutch CommunistDutch Communist Tried and executed in 2 daysTried and executed in 2 days

– Communists are now seen as a threat Communists are now seen as a threat

Election in March now increase Nazi Election in March now increase Nazi power from 33.1% to 43.9%power from 33.1% to 43.9%

Enabling ActEnabling Act

would give Hitler complete dictatorial would give Hitler complete dictatorial power for 4 yearspower for 4 years– Would no longer need the ReichstagWould no longer need the Reichstag– Would be able to pass what ever Would be able to pass what ever

legislative acts he wanted legislative acts he wanted

Enabling ActEnabling Act

Hitler wanted this act passed in order to Hitler wanted this act passed in order to get more powerget more power

Need support from the DNVP and the Need support from the DNVP and the Zentrum (Catholics)Zentrum (Catholics)– DNVP support was guaranteedDNVP support was guaranteed– Zentrum agreed under 2 termsZentrum agreed under 2 terms

1.1. Catholic Church would not be touchedCatholic Church would not be touched

2.2. Zentrum would still be allowed to participate in Zentrum would still be allowed to participate in govt.govt.

Enabling Act passes 444-94Enabling Act passes 444-94– Within 3 months all political parties except the Within 3 months all political parties except the

Nazis are outlawedNazis are outlawed

Possible ThreatsPossible Threats

1.1. Paul von HindenburgPaul von Hindenburg– Had power to remove ChancellorHad power to remove Chancellor– However, pleased with Hitler’s performanceHowever, pleased with Hitler’s performance

2.2. German MilitaryGerman Military– Conflicted with SA over who was more Conflicted with SA over who was more

importantimportant

3.3. SA – leader Ernst RohmSA – leader Ernst Rohm– Advocated a second revolutionAdvocated a second revolution– Possible removal of HitlerPossible removal of Hitler

Concerns About the SA and Concerns About the SA and RohmRohm

Were the SA loyal to Rohm or Hitler?Were the SA loyal to Rohm or Hitler?

Were the leaders of the SA necessary Were the leaders of the SA necessary for the success of the Nazis?for the success of the Nazis?

Rohm was openly homosexual – was Rohm was openly homosexual – was this an image the Nazis wanted?this an image the Nazis wanted?

Fake RevolutionFake Revolution

Heinrich HimmlerHeinrich Himmler– Leader of the SSLeader of the SS– Considered to be a more elite military forceConsidered to be a more elite military force

However, still considered a subordinate force However, still considered a subordinate force under the SAunder the SA

Himmler and Goebbels created a fake Himmler and Goebbels created a fake plan that said Rohm was planning a plan that said Rohm was planning a coupcoup– Hitler agreed regardless of information Hitler agreed regardless of information

against itagainst it

Night of the Long KnivesNight of the Long KnivesBlood Purge of the SA - Rohm PurgeBlood Purge of the SA - Rohm Purge

SA leaders are sent on a vacation SA leaders are sent on a vacation togethertogether

Hitler has the leaders arrested and sent Hitler has the leaders arrested and sent to a prisonto a prison

Many leaders would then be killedMany leaders would then be killed

Rohm, Strassor, and von Kahr are all Rohm, Strassor, and von Kahr are all killed killed – Hundreds more as wellHundreds more as well– Seen as traitors or threatsSeen as traitors or threats

Supporters of the Purge and Supporters of the Purge and WhyWhy

HindenburgHindenburg– Brought radicals under controlBrought radicals under control

Germany MilitaryGermany Military– SA no longer demanded a take over of the SA no longer demanded a take over of the

militarymilitary

Himmler and SSHimmler and SS– SS becomes an independent organizationSS becomes an independent organization

Nuremburg Rallies of Sep. Nuremburg Rallies of Sep. 19341934

Explained the reasons for the purgeExplained the reasons for the purge– SA leaders were corrupt and had to be SA leaders were corrupt and had to be

removedremoved Maintained the support of the SAMaintained the support of the SA

– Overall goal was to maintain a unified Overall goal was to maintain a unified GermanyGermany

Hitler Become Fuhrer of Hitler Become Fuhrer of GermanyGermany

Paul von Hindenburg dies on August 2Paul von Hindenburg dies on August 2ndnd 19341934

Hitler gives public speeches recognizing Hitler gives public speeches recognizing the greatness of Hindenburgthe greatness of Hindenburg– The people loved HindenburgThe people loved Hindenburg

announces that he will merge offices of announces that he will merge offices of President and ChancellorPresident and Chancellor– Enabling ActEnabling Act

Referendum is supported by the peopleReferendum is supported by the people– Hitler wanted to make sure that it was legalHitler wanted to make sure that it was legal

People had lost faith in democracyPeople had lost faith in democracy

Nazis were willing to use force when necessaryNazis were willing to use force when necessary

Momentum – people liked being on the winning Momentum – people liked being on the winning side – “band wagon effect”side – “band wagon effect”

Hitler had been promising a national Hitler had been promising a national RegenerationRegeneration

Role of Hitler himselfRole of Hitler himself– Very clever and ruthlessVery clever and ruthless– Used the fact that most people believed he could be Used the fact that most people believed he could be

controlled against themcontrolled against them

Reasons for SuccessReasons for Success

Hitler is Supreme RulerHitler is Supreme Ruler

Because of Hitler creativeness, Because of Hitler creativeness, determination, ruthless, and cunning determination, ruthless, and cunning he is able to become the supreme he is able to become the supreme leader of Germany and the German leader of Germany and the German MilitaryMilitary

The stage is set for WWIIThe stage is set for WWII