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