The Road to World War IIThe Road to World War II

Adolf Adolf HitlerHitler

Rise to Rise to PowerPower

Overall Purpose:Overall Purpose:

The overall purpose of this presentation is to explain how this little boy on the

left became the man on the right who was ultimately

responsible for the death of about 50 million people all

over the world!!

BirthBirth Adolf Hitler Adolf Hitler

was born on was born on April 20, 1889 April 20, 1889 in Braunau, in Braunau, Austria.Austria.

Adolf was 1 of Adolf was 1 of 6 children - 3 6 children - 3 died at early died at early agesages

ParentsParents

Alois Schickelgruber Hitler was a customs official who was illegitimate by birth. His father, Adolf’s grandfather, may have been Jewish. He died when Adolf was 14 and left him a small inheritance. Abusive, Strict and cruel (may have abused wife).

Klara Hitler was very young when she married the older Alois. She showered young Adolf with love and affection. Adolf carried a picture of his mom until the day he died. She died of breast cancer when Adolf was 18 years old. A Jewish doctor treated her but could not save her from cancer.

EducationEducation Attended a Benedictine monastery school Attended a Benedictine monastery school

where he took part in the choir.where he took part in the choir. When it was time to choose a secondary When it was time to choose a secondary

school, Adolf wanted to become an artist.school, Adolf wanted to become an artist. His father wanted him to become a civil His father wanted him to become a civil

servant, but after his father died, he servant, but after his father died, he dropped out of high school and attempted dropped out of high school and attempted to get into the Vienna Academy of Fine to get into the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts - he failed.Arts - he failed.

The following slides are examples of The following slides are examples of Adolf’s artwork.Adolf’s artwork.

Years in ViennaYears in Vienna After his mother died, Adolf (now 18) decided to After his mother died, Adolf (now 18) decided to

move to Austria to pursue his dream of move to Austria to pursue his dream of becoming a great artist.becoming a great artist.

Again he failed to gain entrance into the Again he failed to gain entrance into the Academy (evidence of Jewish applicants getting Academy (evidence of Jewish applicants getting in; $$ likely played a role)in; $$ likely played a role)

He eventually sold all his possessions and He eventually sold all his possessions and became a homeless drifter who slept on park became a homeless drifter who slept on park benches and ate at soup kitchens throughout benches and ate at soup kitchens throughout Vienna (age 19)Vienna (age 19)

Adolf did manage to sell some paintings and Adolf did manage to sell some paintings and postcards, but remained impoverishedpostcards, but remained impoverished

Vienna -Vienna -ImportanceImportance

Influenced by the Influenced by the anti-Semitic mayor anti-Semitic mayor of Vienna, Karl of Vienna, Karl LuegerLueger

Became interested Became interested in the idea of in the idea of German German nationalism.nationalism.

Also received first Also received first taste of politics taste of politics

Military ServiceMilitary ServiceAdolf left Austria at the age of 24 to avoid mandatory

military service that was required of all men.

But he did sign up for military service at the

start of WW I. He joined a Bavarian unit of the German Army.

This is a picture of Hitler listening to an

enlistment speech.

World War IWorld War I Excited to fight for Excited to fight for

Germany.Germany. Found a home Found a home

fighting for the fighting for the Fatherland.Fatherland.

Highest rank held Highest rank held was corporal.was corporal.

Was a regimental Was a regimental messenger, not an messenger, not an easy job at all.easy job at all.

Military RecordMilitary Record Was awarded the Was awarded the

Iron Cross twice. (5 Iron Cross twice. (5 medals overall)medals overall)

Highest military Highest military honor in German honor in German Army.Army.

Single handedly Single handedly captured 4 French captured 4 French soldiers.soldiers.

Blinded by gas attack Blinded by gas attack towards end of war.towards end of war.

German Loss in German Loss in WW IWW I

Hitler was devastated when he heard the Hitler was devastated when he heard the news of the German surrender.news of the German surrender.

He was appalled at the anti-war sentiment He was appalled at the anti-war sentiment among the German civilians.among the German civilians.

Believed there was an anti-war conspiracy Believed there was an anti-war conspiracy that involved the Jews and Marxists.that involved the Jews and Marxists.

Also, felt that the German military did not Also, felt that the German military did not lose the war, but that the politicians lose the war, but that the politicians (mostly Jews) at home were responsible (mostly Jews) at home were responsible for the defeat.for the defeat.

Life after WW ILife after WW I Hitler was depressed Hitler was depressed

after WW I.after WW I. Still in the army, he Still in the army, he

became an became an undercover agent undercover agent whose job was to whose job was to root out Marxistsroot out Marxists

Also, lectured about Also, lectured about the dangers of the dangers of Communism and Communism and JewsJews

German Worker’s German Worker’s PartyParty

Hitler was sent to Hitler was sent to investigate this group investigate this group in Munich in 1919.in Munich in 1919.

He went to a meeting He went to a meeting and gave a speech.and gave a speech.

He was them asked He was them asked to become a member, to become a member, which he didwhich he did

NAZI Party is NAZI Party is FormedFormed

Hitler began to think Hitler began to think big for the German big for the German Worker’s PartyWorker’s Party

Began placing ads Began placing ads for meetings in anti-for meetings in anti-Semitic newspapersSemitic newspapers

Hitler changed the Hitler changed the name to National name to National Socialist German Socialist German Worker’s Party or Worker’s Party or the NAZISthe NAZIS

Party PlatformParty Platform Hitler drafted a Hitler drafted a

platform of 25 platform of 25 pointspoints

Revoke Versailles Revoke Versailles TreatyTreaty

Revoke civil Revoke civil rights of Jewsrights of Jews

Confiscate Confiscate any war any war profitsprofits

Besides changing the party name, the red flag with the SWASTIKA was

adopted as the party symbol

Beer Hall PutschBeer Hall Putsch October 30, 1923October 30, 1923 Hitler held a rally in Hitler held a rally in

Munich beer hall Munich beer hall and declared and declared revolutionrevolution

Led 2000 men in Led 2000 men in take over of take over of Bavarian Bavarian GovernmentGovernment

It failed and Hitler It failed and Hitler was imprisonedwas imprisoned

Trial and JailTrial and Jail•At his trial (Hitler was charged with treason), he used the opportunity to speak about the NAZI platform and spread his popularity.•The whole nation suddenly knew who Adolf Hitler was and what he stood for•He was sentenced to five years, but actually only served about 9 months•When he left prison, he was ready to go into action again.

Mein KampfMein Kampf Hitler’s book “My Hitler’s book “My

StruggleStruggle”” - wrote - wrote while in jailwhile in jail

Sold 5 million copies, Sold 5 million copies, made him richmade him rich

Topics included: Jews Topics included: Jews were evil, Germans were evil, Germans were superior race, were superior race, Fuhrer principal, Fuhrer principal, dislike of Communism dislike of Communism and Democracy and and Democracy and need to conquer need to conquer RussiaRussia

Legal Rise to Legal Rise to PowerPower

Used popularity from Used popularity from failed revolution and failed revolution and book to seize power book to seize power legallylegally

Spoke to mass Spoke to mass audiences about audiences about making Germany a making Germany a great nation againgreat nation again

Nazi Party:Nazi Party: 1930 = 18% of vote1930 = 18% of vote 1932 = 30% of vote1932 = 30% of vote Hitler becomes Hitler becomes

Chancellor in 1933Chancellor in 1933

Appeal of HitlerAppeal of Hitler Germany was in the midst of an Germany was in the midst of an

economic depression with hyper-inflationeconomic depression with hyper-inflation Hitler was a WW I hero who talked about Hitler was a WW I hero who talked about

bringing glory back to the “Fatherland”bringing glory back to the “Fatherland” He promised the rich industrialists that He promised the rich industrialists that

he would end any communist threat in he would end any communist threat in GermanyGermany

Constantly blamed Jews for Germany’s Constantly blamed Jews for Germany’s problems, not the German people.problems, not the German people.

Hitler was an excellent public speaker.Hitler was an excellent public speaker.

Strong Arm Strong Arm TacticsTactics

The “Brownshirts” or The “Brownshirts” or SA (Stormtroopers)SA (Stormtroopers)

SA was used to put SA was used to put down opposition down opposition partiesparties

Threatened and beat Threatened and beat up Jews and ant-Nazi up Jews and ant-Nazi votersvoters

Wore brownshirts, Wore brownshirts, pants and bootspants and boots

Numbered almost Numbered almost 400,000 by 1932400,000 by 1932

DictatorDictator ““Reichstag fire” gives Reichstag fire” gives

Hitler total powerHitler total power In 1933, all parties In 1933, all parties

were outlawed except were outlawed except the Nazi partythe Nazi party

People’s civil rights People’s civil rights were suspendedwere suspended

““Night of the Long Night of the Long Knives”Knives”

Absolute PowerAbsolute Power German economy German economy

was improving, was improving, people were happypeople were happy

Hilter had not Hilter had not political oppositionpolitical opposition

1st concentration 1st concentration camp opened in 1933camp opened in 1933

Began rearming Began rearming German Army for German Army for expansion of the expansion of the ReichReich

TasksTasks

Then answer the following questions:Then answer the following questions:1)1) In what ways did Hitler ignore the Treaty of In what ways did Hitler ignore the Treaty of

Versailles?Versailles?2)2) At what stage do you think other countries At what stage do you think other countries

should have attempted to stop Hitler by should have attempted to stop Hitler by using force? Why do you think they did not?using force? Why do you think they did not?

3)3) How was Hitler able to take over Western How was Hitler able to take over Western Europe so quickly?Europe so quickly?

4)4) Why did he create problems for the German Why did he create problems for the German army by deciding to invade Russia?army by deciding to invade Russia?

5)5) Choose any picture from the powerpoint and Choose any picture from the powerpoint and explain its point of view (Who is taking the explain its point of view (Who is taking the picture? Who is represented? Whose side is picture? Who is represented? Whose side is supported? What ideas are conveyed by the supported? What ideas are conveyed by the images?)images?)

January 1933: Hitler became January 1933: Hitler became Chancellor of GermanyChancellor of Germany

Hitler soon ordered a Hitler soon ordered a programme of re-arming programme of re-arming

GermanyGermany

Hitler visits a factory and is enthusiastically greeted. Many Germans were grateful for jobs after the misery of he depression years.

Early Signs of Anti-Early Signs of Anti-semitismsemitism

Nuremberg Laws Nuremberg Laws (1935)(1935) Forced Jewish people to live in GhettosForced Jewish people to live in Ghettos heavy taxes punished the Jewish heavy taxes punished the Jewish

communitycommunity Prevented marriage between Aryan and Prevented marriage between Aryan and

Jewish peopleJewish people Restricted jobs of most Jewish peopleRestricted jobs of most Jewish people Scapegoat: blamed for most problems in Scapegoat: blamed for most problems in

GermanyGermany

March 1936: German March 1936: German troops marched into troops marched into

the Rhinelandthe RhinelandThe Rhineland was a region of Germany that was ‘demilitarised’ after the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was not allowed to have troops in the region.

Hitler’s actions showed how he was willing to directly challenge the treaty.

KristallnachtKristallnacht

KristallnachtKristallnacht (1938): “Night of Broken (1938): “Night of Broken Glass” Glass” Unofficial attack on Jewish community Unofficial attack on Jewish community

(pogrom)(pogrom) Around 100 people killed and 30,000 arrested Around 100 people killed and 30,000 arrested

(likely taken to concentration camps)(likely taken to concentration camps) There was global outrage from foreign nations There was global outrage from foreign nations

and it led to the fall of some Nazi movements in and it led to the fall of some Nazi movements in Europe & AmericaEurope & America

Some German citizens were also outraged Some German citizens were also outraged (though likely feared venting their anger)(though likely feared venting their anger)

March 1938: Nazi March 1938: Nazi Germany annexed AustriaGermany annexed Austria

Again, this went against the terms of the Treaty of Versailles which banned Germany from uniting with Austria.

However, the arrival of German troops was met with great enthusiasm by many Austrian people.

March 1939: Germany March 1939: Germany invaded Czechoslovakiainvaded Czechoslovakia

Hitler had ordered the occupation of a part of Czechoslovakia known as the Sudetenland (in October 1938). Many hoped that that this would be the last conquest of the Nazis.

However, in March 1939, he ordered his troops to take over the remainder of Czechoslovakia. This was the first aggressive step that suggested that a war in Europe would soon begin.

Hitler and Stalin (the Russian leader) signed a ‘non-aggression pact’.

They promised that neither country would attack the other in the event of war.

As part of the deal, Hitler promised Stalin part of Poland, which he planned to invade soon.

August 1939: Germany and Russia signed a non-aggression pact

This photo shows the Russian foreign minister signing the pact. Stalin stands smiling in the background

The non-aggression pact was surprising. Hitler and Stalin were seen as The non-aggression pact was surprising. Hitler and Stalin were seen as natural enemies. natural enemies.

When Hitler talked of taking over new land for Germany, many thought When Hitler talked of taking over new land for Germany, many thought that he meant Russia. that he meant Russia.

Hitler also hated Communism, the form of government in RussiaHitler also hated Communism, the form of government in Russia

HitlerStalin

But, the pact But, the pact allowed Germany allowed Germany to march into to march into Poland without Poland without fear of an attack fear of an attack from Russia. from Russia.

On 3On 3rdrd September September 1939, Germany 1939, Germany invaded Poland invaded Poland and started a War and started a War with Britain and with Britain and France.France.

September 1939: Germany invaded Poland

German troops marching into Warsaw, the capital of Poland.

May 1940: Germany turned May 1940: Germany turned west and invaded France and west and invaded France and

the Netherlandsthe NetherlandsIn May 1940, In May 1940, Germany used Germany used Blitzkrieg tactics to Blitzkrieg tactics to attack France and attack France and the Netherlands.the Netherlands.

British troops were British troops were forced to retreat forced to retreat from the beaches of from the beaches of Dunkirk in northern Dunkirk in northern France.France.

Captured British troops, May 1940

By June 1940, France had By June 1940, France had surrendered to the Germanssurrendered to the Germans

Britain now stood Britain now stood alone as the last alone as the last remaining enemy remaining enemy of Hitler’s of Hitler’s Germany in Germany in Western Europe.Western Europe.

Adolf Hitler tours Paris after his successful invasion.

September 1940-May September 1940-May 1941: the Blitz1941: the Blitz

For the following nine months, the For the following nine months, the German air force (Luftwaffe) German air force (Luftwaffe) launched repeated bombing raids launched repeated bombing raids on British towns and cities. This on British towns and cities. This was known as the BLITZ and was was known as the BLITZ and was an attempt to bomb Britain into an attempt to bomb Britain into submission.submission.

Operation Barbarossa, June Operation Barbarossa, June 19411941

But in May, 1941, Hitler ordered a change of tactics. He But in May, 1941, Hitler ordered a change of tactics. He decided to halt the bombing of Britain and launch an decided to halt the bombing of Britain and launch an attack against Russia. He betrayed Stalin and ignored attack against Russia. He betrayed Stalin and ignored the promises he had made.the promises he had made.

This was a bold move that would prove to be an This was a bold move that would prove to be an important turning point in the War. Germany lost 95% of important turning point in the War. Germany lost 95% of their troops from 41-44 in this secret missiontheir troops from 41-44 in this secret mission

TasksTasks

Then answer the following questions:Then answer the following questions:1)1) In what ways did Hitler ignore the Treaty of In what ways did Hitler ignore the Treaty of

Versailles?Versailles?2)2) At what stage do you think other countries At what stage do you think other countries

should have attempted to stop Hitler by should have attempted to stop Hitler by using force? Why do you think they did not?using force? Why do you think they did not?

3)3) How was Hitler able to take over Western How was Hitler able to take over Western Europe so quickly?Europe so quickly?

4)4) Why did he create problems for the German Why did he create problems for the German army by deciding to invade Russia?army by deciding to invade Russia?

5)5) Choose any picture from the powerpoint and Choose any picture from the powerpoint and explain its point of view (Who is taking the explain its point of view (Who is taking the picture? Who is represented? Whose side is picture? Who is represented? Whose side is supported? What ideas are conveyed by the supported? What ideas are conveyed by the images?)images?)