• The United States became the “policeman” of Latin America as a result of– A. building the Panama Canal– B. the Anti-Imperialist league– C. the Roosevelt Corollary– D. the Platt Agreement

Adolf Hitler

Nazi Dictator of Germany

Hitler’s Background

• Born April 20, 1889 in Austria

• Not a good student• Planned to study Art• Moved to Vienna for

school and developed hatred for Jews & foreigners.

• Moved to Germany in 1913 (eve of WWI)

Hitler in WWI

• 1914-volunteered for the German Army

• Fought bravely for Germany

• Almost died-temporarily blinded in gas attack

• Spied for Germany after the war ended

Hitler the Nazi

• Hitler became leader of the Nazi Party in 1920. He organized his supporters into fighting squads who battled in the streets with communists and others they saw as enemies.

Hitler the Nazi

• Hitler tried and failed to seize power of the German government in 1923 and was sent to prison. In prison he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) which became the holy book of the Nazi goals & beliefs

Hitler’s Beliefs

• Extreme Nationalism• Racism• Anti-Semitism• He believed that

Germans belonged to a superior “master race” of Aryans, or light skinned Europeans

Hitler’s Beliefs

• Hitler viewed the Jews as Germany’s greatest enemy.

• He blamed them for Germany’s defeat in WWI and all of Germany’s problems

Hitler’s Beliefs

• Hitler urged Germans everywhere to unite into 1 great nation.

• He said that Germany needed to expand to create living space for its people

• Inferior races would have to bow to Aryans

Hitler’s Rise to Power

• After leaving prison, he was determined to become leader of Germany. He promised to end WWI reparations, create new jobs, & rearm Germany.

• He gained enthusiastic support from war veterans & the poor

Hitler’s Rise to Power

• In 1933 he became Chancellor of Germany

• Promised to restore Germany to its former glory

• Boasted that the German empire & German race would dominate Europe for 1000 years.

Hitler’s Rise to Power

• To achieve his goals, Hitler organized a brutal system of terror and totalitarian rule.

• Nazis controlled every aspect of German life.• Hitler used military troops (ss) and secret

police (Gestapo) to enforce his will• Totalitarian=government that does not

tolerate parties of differing opinion and that exercises dictatorial control over many aspects of life.

Hitler’s Crusade

• In violation of the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler built up the German military and began his conquest of Europe.

“How fortunate to leaders that men do not think.”- Adolf Hitler

What did Hitler mean by this? Why did he say it?