Download Fascism in Germany

WWI and the Treaty
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We have already looked in depth at the Treaty of Versailles
and the bitter resentment building up in Germany over the
peace time conditions.
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We’ve looked at revolutionary governments forming in Italy
and Russia.
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We know that European countries are tired and war torn… no
one wants another war. Everyone wants peace and to heal
from the travesty of WWI.
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We know the German people are tired and hurting and want
to make a change within their society.
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World War I ended in 1918 with a grisly total of 37 million
casualties, including 9 million dead combatants.
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German propaganda had not prepared the nation for defeat, resulting
in a sense of injured German national pride.
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Those military and political leaders who were responsible claimed
that Germany had been "stabbed in the back" by its leftwing
politicians, Communists, and Jews.
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When a new government, the Weimar Republic, tried to establish a
democratic course, extreme political parties from both the right and
the left struggled violently for control.
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The new regime could neither handle the depressed economy nor the
rampant lawlessness and disorder.
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Conditions are ripe in Germany for a Fascist takeover.
So… where does Hitler come in?
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How do a gang of unemployed soldiers
from WWI in 1919 become the new fascist
government in Germany 14 years later?
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How did Hitler seize power and declare
himself Führer of Germany in 1933?
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How did the Nazi party rise to prominence
and dominate politics for nearly 30 years?
Hitler’s Early Life
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Hitler was born to a poor low-middle class family. He
had 6 siblings (4 died in childhood or infancy).
Hitler wanted to become a priest or a monk when he
was very young.
He lived across the street from a Benedictine monastery
whose symbol included a swastika in the Coat of Arms.
His father was strict, but his mother spoiled him.
Hitler’s father died when he was young of lung disease.
His mother died when he was 16 of breast cancer (she
underwent several painful failed surgeries).
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Hitler did not do well in school.
He wanted to be an artist, but was not talented enough to be admitted
to the Art Institute of Vienna.
Hitler was a vagrant by 1913, wandering and traveling around
Europe.
When WWI began, his hatred of foreigners (xenophobia) had him
enlist in the war effort as a Bavarian soldier.
Hitler worked as an informer; his primary focus was locating and
arresting Communists and Marxists from the German military.
He also became an educator for political prisoners being released
and an orator in military academy.
Hitler was immediately recognized as a powerful speaker in the
military with a strong sense of nationalism and German pride.
One of his last assignments was to investigate the German Workers
Party for Communist ties or other subversive activity.
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The German Workers' Party, the forerunner of the
Nazi Party, espoused a right-wing ideology, like
many similar groups of demobilized soldiers.
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Hitler was disillusioned with his experience after
WWI and the disgrace of the Versailles Treaty.
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Adolf Hitler joined this small political party in 1919
and rose to leadership through his emotional and
captivating speeches. (He was member #5 on the
official roster.)
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He encouraged national pride, militarism, and a
commitment to the Volk and a racially "pure"
Germany.
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Hitler condemned the Jews, exploiting anti-Semitic
feelings that had prevailed in Europe for centuries.
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He changed the name of the party to the National
Socialist German Workers' Party, called for short, the
Nazi Party (or NSDAP).
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By the end of 1920, the Nazi Party had about 3,000
members. A year later Hitler became its official
leader, or Führer.
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Adolf Hitler attempted an armed overthrow of local
authorities in Munich, known as the Beer Hall
Putsch
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It failed miserably when Hitler miscalculated and
trusted the Munich officials to keep their word of
loyalty.
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The Nazi Party seemed doomed to fail and its
leaders, including Hitler, were subsequently jailed
and charged with high treason.
However, Hitler used the courtroom at his public trial as a
propaganda platform, ranting for hours against the Weimar
government.
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By the end of the 24-day trial
Hitler had actually gained support
for his courage to act.
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The right-wing presiding judges
sympathized with Hitler and
sentenced him to only five years in
prison, with eligibility for early
parole.
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Hitler was released from prison
after one year. Other Nazi leaders
were given light sentences also.
Mein Kampf
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While in prison, Hitler wrote
volume one of Mein Kampf
(My Struggle), which was
published in 1925.
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Volume II was published in
1926. English translations
were published in 1933
throughout the world despite
opposition.
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The book went into
publication again in 1979,
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This work detailed Hitler's radical ideas of
German nationalism, anti-Semitism, and antiBolshevism.
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Linked with Social Darwinism, Hitler argued that
through the human struggle: “might makes
right.”
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Hitler's book became the ideological base for
the Nazi Party's racist beliefs and murderous
practices.
The Rise of the
Third Reich
A New Beginning
1925
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Hitler learned from the chaos of the failed “Nazi Revolution”
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Under a two year ban on public speaking, Hitler reorganized
the Nazi Party and reestablished himself as party leader.
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Hitler established the Hitler Youth
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Hitler reorganized the SA (storm troopers- street thugs) and
developed the SS (Hitler’s personal body guards)
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Membership in the party was at 27,000
“The Quiet Years”
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1926-1929
Unfortunately, for Hitler, life in Germany was
slowly improving under the Second Reich.
Paul von Hindenburg, a famous WWI general,
was elected president of Germany.
The government was finding ways around the
Treaty of Versailles.
Life in Germany was becoming stable.
The Locarno Agreement and the Dawes Plan
The Great Depression
October 29,1929
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The Stock Market crash that began the
Great Depression in the United States had
disastrous effects internationally
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Why do you think the Great Depression in
the United States would hurt Germany half
a continent away?
Hitler’s chance
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The rapid economic crisis led to mass
unemployment, bank crashes, rapid
inflation, and shortages of food and
supplies.
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Again, the conditions for Hitler were prime
and Hitler began immediate political tactics
to solidify his legal position in parliament.
How does Hitler become so popular so
quickly?
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Discontent:
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Versailles Treaty
Surrender or the
Rhineland and Ruhr
Territory
Great Depression of
1930’s
“Political right” want
monarchy… democracy
not working.
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Ideology:
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Nations of fellowship
Opposed to
Communism
Promoted morality and
righteousness
Promoted authoritarian
leadership
Anti-semitic
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Political tactics
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Mass meetings
Uniforms
Banners
Powerful orators
148 mass rallies in 8
months
1st politician to use air
power to travel
Played on pride and
sensibilities (emotions)
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Propaganda
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Hitler and Goebbels:
Dominate Munich
newspapers.
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Goebbels later becomes
propaganda minister.
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Appeal to the masses
with slogans.
Charismatic
leadership
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Hitler’s magnetism
Strong emotional
propaganda
Strong and impressive
orators
Sense of order and
discipline within party
Support from bourgeoisie
members
Support from military
leaders
Political Growth
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Between 1920 and 1933, the Nazi
party will grow from an underrepresented political party to the only
political system in Germany
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In September 1930, after a whirlwind
political and propaganda campaign,
the Nazi party earned 18% of the
votes which equaled 107 seats.
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Membership had grown to 108,000
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They became the second largest
political party.
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Hitler’s main campaign slogan:
Tear Up the Treaty of Versailles
Presidential Election of 1932
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Hitler ran for president in 1932.
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The slogan: “Freedom and
Bread”
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In the election, Hitler earned
36% of the vote, more than
anyone thought.
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Even though Hitler lost, he
made a very strong showing in
the election, indicating a solid
power base in parliament.
Sex, Lies… and political intrigue
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Over the next year, there was political
intrigue behind the scenes between
high political officials and the
chancellorship was reassigned twice.
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Hitler repeatedly made a move for
higher positions in government.
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He was initially thwarted by other high
officials who were also making a move
for chancellorship.
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Hitler refused to work with other
government officials. As the second
largest political party at the time, he
was in a position of negotiation and
power.
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On January 30, 1933 the President
finally assigned the Chancellorship to
Hitler in order to establish some stability
and to thwart rumors of a military
takeover.
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He was chosen as chancellor because
the president and his opponents
thought he would be malleable.
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Hitler was repeatedly underestimated
by his political opponents.
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Hitler is now poised for total takeover of
the government
Nazi Power Structure
Hitler
Chancellor
Papan Vice Chancellor
Rosenberg Ministry and Press
Himmler
Leader of the SS
Hess Hitler’s Secretary
(transcribed Mein Kampf)
Goring
Minister of the Interior
Frick: Internal Security
Minister of the Interior
Straicher: Media and Press
Rohm: Leader of the SA
All of the Ministry were supporters of Hitler prior to 1933 except Papen who was a
political compromise in collusion with Hitler. Papen would be the first to be
“eliminated” from political power.
Sent by telegram to from
General Erich Ludendorff to
President Hindenburg
"By appointing Hitler
Chancellor of the Reich you
have handed over our sacred
German Fatherland to one of
the greatest demagogues of all
time. I prophesy to you this evil
man will plunge our Reich into
the abyss and will inflict
immeasurable woe on our
nation. Future generations will
curse you in your grave for this
action."
Ideology of Hitler
What did he believe?
Squashed -squashed version
of Mein Kampf
25 points of the NSDAP - Citizenship
Demand union of German people with selfdetermination. (Pan German Nationalism)
2. Rights equal to other nations (abolish the Versailles
Treaty)
3. Expand territory to accommodate the German
people. (This is important… as it will lead to war.)
4. Only German blood allowed to become citizens of
Germany. (No Jew can be a citizen)
5. Those who are not citizens must live in Germany as
foreigners and must be subject to the law of aliens.
1.
Citizenry and the State
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Only citizens can hold office. Only citizens can
vote
Every citizen shall have the opportunity for a
good life. If not, foreigners are expelled to
ensure good life.
No immigration
Everyone has equal rights and duties
Everyone must work to benefit the State who
will then make sure everyone benefits.
11-17 Anti Capitalist
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The next points dealt with the exaltation of the state.
Earned income and private property was abolished, the
state controlled all finances including personal loans.
War profits was considered treasonous Small business
was promoted over large business (why?) and minors
were not allowed to work at all.
Hitler used these points to appeal to the working
masses; however, once he came to power, he was
much more flexible on his points to appease the
middle/upper class.
Points 18-25 Society and Education
18.
19.
20.
Traitors punished with death… no trial
necessary… ummm…
German Common Law replaces Roman law
State controlled education: morality taught
through the state. NO book learning; all
curricula is designed around “real life” Especially
bright children will be “adopted” and educated
by the state for free.
(more on this later)
Continued…
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
National health, maternal welfare, compulsory physical
ed… etc.
(played into development of biological superiority and
benefits for a superior race)
Abolition of regular army and “nazified” national army.
Press censorship and abolishment of Jews out of
German press.
Freedom of religion that promoted German (Nazi)
ideology.
Strong central authority to enforce these points.
Nazi Seizure of
Power
Hitler as Chancellor
Step 1– If you were a dictator:
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What would you do if you were Hitler in
1933 and just became Chancellor of
Germany?
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How would you consolidate power?
Learning objective:
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Students will examine Hitler’s actions to
immediately consolidate power.
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Students will understand how Hitler’s 25
points outlined in Mein Kampf created a
“blueprint” for his European domination
plan.
1. Purge leaders within the Nazi party. Make sure
everyone around him is completely loyal to him.
2.
Gain control of all political principalities by
appointing regional leaders who answer to him.
3. Abolish all state governments and consolidate all
power to a central government.
4. Hold new elections to build his political base
(replace the Parliament with a Nazi government)
5. Establish censorship of the opposition
Hitler comes to power
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Once in power, he quickly ended German
democracy and invoked a state of
emergency, essentially declaring Hitler the
German dictator.
38
The beginning of German aggression
1933-1939 on the Home Front
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The emergency clauses suspended
constitutional rights including freedom of press,
speech, and assembly.
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Special security forces, the Gestapo, the SA,
and the SS arrested leaders of the opposing
political parties
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But there was still opposition… and terror
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Timeline of events in 1933
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February 27 – Reichstag Fire blamed on the
Communists despite lack of proof.
March -- Socialist and Communist newspapers
banned. Leaders arrested
March-- Elections held, Nazi’s increase from
37% to 43.9%
Passed the Enabling Acts (emergency laws)
March 20 – Heinrich Himmler established the
First concentration camps established for
political prisoners (Dachau prison)
CFU
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When did Hitler come to power?
 January 30, 1933
What major event occurred in Germany that Hitler
manipulated as propaganda to solidify his power?
 The Reichstag Fire
When did the Reichstag Fire occur?
 February 27, 1933
What was the Reichstag?
 The government building– Center of power
More CFU
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Who did he accuse? Why?
 The Communists and Socialists to have an excuse to
arrest his political enemies.
What was the result of this event?
 Hitler declared a state of emergency, arrested his
enemies and established the first concentration
camps in Germany. He then held elections where he
gained a greater majority of the seats, confirming his
power.
Why?
• Why is it important for Hitler to eliminate
free speech and press?
• Why does Hitler arrest his opposition?
• What is Hitler’s ultimate goal in early
1933?
After you have control… keep it.
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If Hitler would have solely created an abusive and
oppressive environment, he may not have been
successful.
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However, he made promises to the people of Germany
to reestablish German pride, avenge the German
people in the International community, and to bring
Germany to greatness again. … and now he meant to
keep them.
1933-1939
Hitler was prepared to implement
his International plan, so he
systematically began implementing
his Mein Kampf plan with his
25 points
to keep his promises to destroy the
TOV.
1. Hitler’s Point #2: Demands rights equal to other nations
(abolish the Versailles Treaty)
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1933-1934: Hitler pulled out of the League of
Nations in protest and began to secretly rebuild the
military.
1935: The fifteen year demilitarization clause of the
ToV ended and the Saar/Ruhr region voted to
return to German control.
Hitler moved his troops into the Rhineland and the
French built the Maginot Line (a defensive trench)
to divide French and German troops.
Hitler’s thoughts:
“The forty-eight hours after the march
into the Rhineland were the most nerveracking in my life….If the French had
then marched into the Rhineland, we
would have had to withdraw with our
tails between our legs, for the military
resources at our disposal would have
been wholly inadequate for even
moderate resistance.”
No Reaction: Appeasement policy
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Hitler’s aggression in the Rhineland was a violation of
ToV and Locarno.
Hitler told his troops to withdraw at the first sign of
resistance or confrontation.
Because the British and the French did not oppose
Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia or stop Hitler’s
expansion, Hitler determined that the West was weak
and decided to take more aggressive action.
Britain and France knew they could not intervene
because they did not have the military force to police the
world.
CFU
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Why was the Saar/Ruhr region so important to Hitler?
 ToV and necessary resources
How did France react to Hitler’s actions?
 Pulled back and established the Maginot Line
What is the Maginot Line?
 A defense line across the border of the Saar region
Why didn’t France or Britain stop Hitler’s actions?
 They didn’t have the military strength to go to war.
What was Hitler’s plan if France or Britain did show resistance?
 He claims he would have pulled back.
How does Hitler feel after the Saar incident?
 He feels the West is weak and becomes more aggressive.
Alliances and agreements
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Hitler signed a ten year non aggression pact
with Poland in 1934. (pay attention)
Hitler supported Mussolini’s invasion of Ethiopia
in 1935.
In 1936, Hitler sent aid to Spain to support
Franco’s (dictator) take over in the Spanish Civil
War.
“Pact of Steel” signed in 1939
Hitler formalized an alliance with Mussolini in
Italy and General Franco in Spain.
2. Hitler’s #1 Point: Demanded union of
German people with self-determination.
(Pan German Nationalism)
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Anschluss:
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Hitler was determined to reunite Germany with
Austria (his birthplace).
In 1938, Hitler convinced the Austrian prime
minister to accept high Nazi officials in the
Austrian government (after he failed to kill him in
1934).
Then, Hitler forced the Prime Minister to resign
and declared himself “Fuhrer” of Austria.
Hitler turns to Sudetenland and Czech.
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Later, in 1938, Hitler declared that the Sudetenland
should be allowed to reunite with Germany under “selfdetermination”
Hitler threatened war with Czechoslovakia if the
Sudetenland was not ceded (again after he failed to kill
the Czech President).
Italy, Britain, and France intervened to avoid war and
met with Hitler in Munich on September 28th.
They conceded to Hitler’s demands without consulting
the Czech government and Hitler took control of the
Sudetenland.
Anschluss
Continued:
•Hitler
split Czechoslovakia into
Czech and Slovakia.
•He took over the rest of Czech in March of 1939.
•Slovakia was declared “independent” and was
put under control of a Nazi ally.
Hitler also seized
Memel and Danzig
from Lithuania
End of Appeasement
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The annexation of the Czech region forced
Britain and France to pledge support to
Poland by declaring war if Hitler attacked.
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Remember: Poland signed a pact with
Germany in 1934 (a few years earlier).
They thought Hitler would honor the Pact.
CFU
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What was Hitler’s relationship in Poland in 1934?
 They signed the Ten Year Non-Aggression Pact
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What was the name of the agreement between Italy,
Spain, and Germany?
 The Pact of Steel
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Which of the 25 Points justified the reunification of
Germany and Austria?
 Point #1 – Pan Germanic Nation
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What was this unification called?
 Anschluss
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How did the West react when Hitler declared he wanted
the Sudetenland?
 They called for the Munich Conference to avoid war.
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What did Hitler do in 1939 that made the West realize that
war was imminent?
 He seized the rest of Czech region and declared
Slovakia independent under his Nazi influence.
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What was this unification called?
 Anschluss
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How did the West react when Hitler declared he wanted
the Sudetenland?
 They called for the Munich Conference to avoid war.
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What did Hitler do in 1939 that made the West realize that
war was imminent?
 He seized the rest of Czech region and declared
Slovakia independent under his Nazi influence.
Quiz in 1 minutes!!!
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Study your notes about Hitler’s seizure of
power, his actions in the Saar, and
Anschluss.
Please clear your desk
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Take out a blank sheet of paper.
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Put everything else away.
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Write your answers in complete sentences
or write the question down. You do not
have to do both.
CFU
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When did Hitler come to power?
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What major event occurred in Germany that Hitler
manipulated as propaganda to solidify his power?
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When did the Reichstag Fire occur?
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What was the Reichstag?
More CFU
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Who did he accuse? Why?
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What was the result of this event?
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What law(s) did Hitler pass? When? What did they
do?
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What was the name of the camp created by Himmler?
CFU
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Why was the Saar/Ruhr region so important to Hitler?
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How did France react to Hitler’s actions?
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What is the Maginot Line?
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Why didn’t France or Britain stop Hitler’s actions?
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What was Hitler’s plan if France or Britain did show resistance?
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How does Hitler feel after the Saar incident?
CFU
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What was Hitler’s relationship in Poland in 1934?
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What was the name of the agreement between Italy,
Spain, and Germany?
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Which of the 25 Points justified the reunification of
Germany and Austria?
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What was this unification called?
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How did the West react when Hitler declared he wanted
the Sudetenland?
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What did Hitler do in 1939 that made the West realize that
war was imminent?
CFU
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When did Hitler come to power?
 January 30, 1933
What major event occurred in Germany that Hitler
manipulated as propaganda to solidify his power?
 The Reichstag Fire
When did the Reichstag Fire occur?
 February 27, 1933
What was the Reichstag?
 The government building– Center of power
More CFU
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Who did he accuse? Why?
 The Communists and Socialists to have an excuse to arrest his
political enemies.
What was the result of this event?
 Hitler declared a state of emergency, arrested his enemies and
established the first concentration camps in Germany. He then
held elections where he gained a greater majority of the seats,
confirming his power.
What law(s) did Hitler pass? When? What did they do?
 Hitler passed the Enabling Acts on March 20, 1933. They
declared a permanent state of emergency, making him Fuhrer
(dictator).
What was the name of the camp Himmler created?
 Dachau
CFU
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Why was the Saar/Ruhr region so important to Hitler?
 ToV and necessary resources
How did France react to Hitler’s actions?
 Pulled back and established the Maginot Line
What is the Maginot Line?
 A defense line across the border of the Saar region
Why didn’t France or Britain stop Hitler’s actions?
 They didn’t have the military strength to go to war.
What was Hitler’s plan if France or Britain did show resistance?
 He claims he would have pulled back.
How does Hitler feel after the Saar incident?
 He feels the West is weak and becomes more aggressive.
CFU
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What was Hitler’s relationship in Poland in 1934?
 They signed the Ten Year Non-Aggression Pact
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What was the name of the agreement between Italy,
Spain, and Germany?
 The Pact of Steel

Which of the 25 Points justified the reunification of
Germany and Austria?
 Point #1 – Pan Germanic Nation
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What was this unification called?
 Anschluss
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How did the West react when Hitler declared he wanted
the Sudetenland?
 They called for the Munich Conference to avoid war.
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What did Hitler do in 1939 that made the West realize that
war was imminent?
 He seized the rest of Czech region and declared
Slovakia independent under his Nazi influence.
Where is Russia in this?
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Britain and France knew that war was imminent
and asked Russia to join in an alliance against
German aggression.
They discovered that Stalin didn’t trust the West
and had already signed an agreement with
Germany on August 23, 1939:
The Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact.
(it has many names)
Ten Year Nazi-Soviet
Non Aggression Pact:
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In this agreement, both Germany and Russia
promised not to attack the other country if war
broke out.
This allowed Germany to focus on a one-front
war.
Russia had more time to prepare for war and
gained land and influence in the east of Europe.
(Stalin never actually trusted Hitler to keep his
word not to attack…)
Secrets… and lies…
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In the Non-Aggression Pact, it was later
discovered there were 4 secret agreements
between Germany and the Soviet Union:
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Basically, Germany and Russia carved
Europe into East and West as equal
continental rulers.
CFU
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What is the name of the agreement between Germany
and the Soviet Union?
 The Nazi-Soviet Non Aggression Pact
What was the agreement that the public knew?
 Germany and Russia would not attack each other in
war.
What was the secret part of the agreement?
 Germany and Russia planned to divide Europe
equally after the war.
Hitler’s Point #3- Expand territory to
accommodate the German people
“Further successes can no longer be
attained without the shedding of
blood…Danzig is not the subject of the
dispute at all. It is a question of expanding
our living space in the east…there is no
question of sparing Poland.”
A. Hitler
Poland falls. Promise broken:
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Hitler invaded Poland on September 1, 1939
under the concept of Lebensraum (living space).

He declared that Germans were being
mistreated in Poland and as a superior race, the
Poles needed to be subdued.
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Further, he declared that Poland truly belonged
to the German people.
WWII:
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In response to the Polish invasion, France
and Britain kept their word and declared
war on Germany on September 3, 1939.
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WWII officially began.
CFU

Where did Hitler turn his attention to after
Czechoslovakia?
 Poland

What did the West do in response?
 Promised to declare war and support Poland.

What justification did Hitler use for his aggressiveness?
 Poland was mistreating Germans and Germans were
superior and needed this space.
CFU:

What is the German word for this policy?
 Lebensraum = Living space

Which of the 25 Points aligns to this policy?
 Point # 3

What was the outcome of this aggression?
 WWII began.

Who or what was to blame for war?



Versailles Treaty for harsh treatment of
Germans
League of Nations and failure of
collective security
The world economic crisis

Was Hitler to blame?

Martin Gilbert

Hitler wanted to remove stigma of WWI
loss “the only antidote to defeat in one
war is victory in the next”

Hugh Trevor-Roper and others believe
Hitler planned a major war from the
beginning
 To destroy Russia
 Evidence for this is taken from Mein
Kampf and the Hossbach Memorandum
(meeting Nov. 5, 1937, Lebensraum
plans– and demanded German officials
continue his plans as outlined in his will.)
 If true appeasement is not to blame and
the German people would not be at fault

Were Appeasers to blame?

Some Historians argue Britain and France
should have taken a firm line with Hitler
Alan Bullock “success and the absence of
resistance tempted Hitler to reach out further,
to take bigger risks”
Chamberlains critics argue he stood firm for
the wrong cause



It would have been better to stand firm with
Czechoslovakia than Poland who was more
difficult to defend and weaker militarily
 Did
Hitler intend a major war?
A.J.P. Taylor: Hitler did not intend to
cause a major war and expected at
most a short war with Poland
 Taylor was seen as trying to
“whitewash” Hitler by his critics
 Not accepted by most historians
today


Did Soviets make war inevitable?


Argued that by signing the nonaggression pact it allowed Germany to
begin war
Russian historians justify pact on the
grounds it gave USSR time to establish
its defenses

What do you think?

Who do you blame for the start of
WWII? Hitler? Britain and France?
Other? Why?

Do you believe Hitler intended a
large war from the beginning? Why?
Is 1939 the beginning of
WWII?
Other events around the world:
A world in Crisis!
A “Just” War:
Was the war necessary?

Focus: Generally, Americans view war as a “necessary evil,” a job
that has to be done to get on with normal life. In studying World War
II students can explore some central philosophical questions about
war and its impact on society.

Activity: Review the quotes individually and reflect on their
thoughts about the justification for war. Once you have thought
about the quotes, stand on the long line where you feel your view
falls between the two quotes.

No one should take a “neutral” stand. Be prepared to explain the
reasons for placing yourself along the line.
 Quote 1: “Never think that war, no matter
how necessary, nor how justified, is not a
crime.”
– Ernest Hemingway

Quote 2: “I don’t think there is such a thing as a
good war. There are sometimes necessary
wars. And I think one might say just wars. And I
never questioned the necessity of that war. And
I still do not question it. It was something that
had to be done.”
 – Sam Hynes, THE WAR
Hitler’s Domestic
Policies:
The Holocaust

March 24 – Enabling Act passed






Chancellor gets to write the law and can pass law through
cabinet instead of Parliament
President retains the right to declare a state of emergency
April 1, 1933 – The Nazi’s begin a boycott of all Jewish
shops and businesses
April 11, 1933 - Nazis issue a decree defining a non-Aryan
as "anyone descended from non-Aryan, especially Jewish,
parents or grandparents. One parent or grandparent
classifies the descendant as non-Aryan...especially if one
parent or grandparent was of the Jewish faith."
April 26, 1933 - The Gestapo is born, created by Hermann
Göring in the German state of Prussia.
May 10, 1933 - Burning of books in Berlin and throughout
Germany.

In July - Nazis pass law allowing for forced sterilization of those
found by a Hereditary Health Court to have genetic defects.

July 14, 1933 - Nazi Party is declared the only legal party in
Germany; Also, Nazis pass Law to strip Jewish immigrants from
Poland of their German citizenship.

In Sept - Nazis establish Reich Chamber of Culture, then exclude
Jews from the Arts.

Sept 29, 1933 - Nazis prohibit Jews from owning land.

Oct 4, 1933 - Jews are prohibited from being newspaper editors.

Nov 24, 1933 - Nazis pass a Law against Habitual and Dangerous
Criminals, which allows beggars, the homeless, alcoholics and the
unemployed to be sent to concentration camps.







Jan 24, 1934 - Jews are banned from the German Labor
Front.
May 17, 1934 - Jews not allowed national health insurance.
June 30, 1934 - The Night of Long Knives occurs as Hitler,
Göring and Himmler conduct a purge of the SA (storm
trooper) leadership.
July 20, 1934 - The SS (Schutzstaffel) is made an
independent organization from the SA.
July 22, 1934 - Jews are prohibited from getting legal
qualifications.
Aug 2, 1934 - German President von Hindenburg dies. Hitler
becomes Führer.
Aug 19, 1934 - Hitler receives a 90 percent 'Yes' vote from
German voters approving his new powers.




May 21, 1935 - Nazis ban Jews from serving in
the military.
June 26, 1935 - Nazis pass law allowing forced
abortions on women to prevent them from
passing on hereditary diseases.
Aug 6, 1935 - Nazis force Jewish
performers/artists to join Jewish Cultural
Unions.
Sept 15, 1935 - Nuremberg Race Laws against
Jews decreed.






Feb 10, 1936 - The German Gestapo is placed above
the law.
In March - SS Deathshead division is established to
guard concentration camps.
March 7, 1936 - Nazis occupy the Rhineland.
June 17, 1936 - Heinrich Himmler is appointed chief of the German
Police.
In Aug - Nazis set up an Office for Combating Homosexuality and
Abortions (by healthy women).
In Jan 1937- Jews are banned from many professional
occupations including teaching Germans, and from
being accountants or dentists. They are also denied tax
reductions and child allowances.

March 12/13, 1938 - Nazi troops enter Austria, which has a
population of 200,000 Jews, mainly living in Vienna. Hitler
announces Anschluss (union) with Austria.

In March - After the Anschluss, the SS is placed in charge of
Jewish affairs in Austria with Adolf Eichmann establishing an
Office for Jewish Emigration in Vienna. Himmler then
establishes Mauthausen concentration camp near Linz.

April 22, 1938 - Nazis prohibit Aryan 'front-ownership' of
Jewish businesses.

April 26, 1938 - Nazis order Jews to register wealth and
property.

June 14, 1938 - Nazis order Jewish owned businesses to
register.




In July - At Evian, France, the U.S. convenes a League
of Nations conference with delegates from 32 countries to
consider helping Jews fleeing Hitler, but results in inaction
as no country will accept them.
July 6, 1938 - Nazis prohibited Jews from trading and
providing a variety of specified commercial services.
July 23, 1938 - Nazis order Jews over age 15 to apply for
identity cards from the police, to be shown on demand to
any police officer.
July 25, 1938 - Jewish doctors prohibited by law from
practicing medicine.

Aug 11, 1938 - Nazis destroy the synagogue in
Nuremberg.

Aug 17, 1938 - Nazis require Jewish women to
add Sarah and men to add Israel to their names
on all legal documents including passports.

Sept 27, 1938 - Jews are prohibited from all legal
practices.

Oct 5, 1938 - Law requires Jewish passports to be stamped
with a large red "J.“

Oct 15, 1938 - Nazi troops occupy the Sudetenland.

Oct 28, 1938 - Nazis arrest 17,000 Jews of Polish nationality
living in Germany, then expel them back to Poland which
refuses them entry, leaving them in 'no-man's land' near the
Polish border for several months.

Nov 7, 1938 - Ernst vom Rath, third secretary in the German
Embassy in Paris, is shot and mortally wounded by Herschel
Grynszpan, the 17 year old son of one of the deported Polish
Jews. Rath dies on November 9, precipitating Kristallnacht.

Nov 9/10 - Kristallnacht - The Night of Broken Glass.

Nov 12, 1938 - Nazis fine Jews one billion marks for
damages related to Kristallnacht.

Nov 15, 1938 - Jewish pupils are expelled from all nonJewish German schools.

Dec 3, 1938 - Law for compulsory Aryanization of all Jewish
businesses.

Dec 14, 1938 - Hermann Göring takes charge of resolving
the "Jewish Question."






Jan 24, 1939 - SS leader Reinhard Heydrich is ordered by
Göring to speed up emigration of Jews.
Jan 30, 1939 - Hitler threatens Jews during Reichstag
speech.
Feb 21, 1939 - Nazis force Jews to hand over all gold and
silver items.
March 15/16 - Nazi troops seize Czechoslovakia (Jewish
pop. 350,000).
April 19, 1939 - Slovakia passes its own version of the
Nuremberg Laws.
April 30, 1939 - Jews lose rights as tenants and are
relocated into Jewish houses.

In May - The St. Louis, a ship crowded with 930 Jewish
refugees, is turned away by Cuba, the United States and
other countries and returns to Europe.

July 4, 1939 - German Jews denied the right to hold
government jobs.

July 21, 1939 - Adolf Eichmann is appointed director of the
Prague Office of Jewish Emigration.

Sept 1, 1939 - Nazis invade Poland (Jewish pop. 3.35
million, the largest in Europe). Beginning of SS activity in
Poland.

Sept 1, 1939 - Jews in Germany are forbidden to be outdoors
after 8 p.m. in winter and 9 p.m. in summer.

Sept 3, 1939 - England and France declare war on Germany.
Why were Jews targets?

Jews were persecuted for both ethnic and religious
intolerance.

More so, in the aftermath of WWI, many Jewish citizens
were able to recover more quickly than others.

They were shrewd business owners with strong
community ties and rebuilt quickly with pre-war savings.

They rebuilt financial and banking institutions.

The German population (specifically the Nazis) resented
the apparent success of the Jewish communities.
105

Jews were removed
from government jobs,
teaching positions,
positions as lawyers,
and any other “public
positions”.

In April 1933, A boycott
of Jewish businesses
began and by 1937, it
was illegal for a Jew to
own a business.

Jews could not own any
property by 1939
106
The cartoon shows a Jew politely asking for room on the bench, after
which he shoves the previous inhabitant off. The poem notes that Jews
behave the same way in other situations.
107
Most cartoons, like this one, depicted the German’s as a powerful race with
the Jews cowering in fear at the German might.
108
Nazi Propaganda

Cover: "When you see this symbol...“

Page 2: "Remember what the Jews
have done to our people." The page
reviews World War I, for which the
Jews are held responsible, then
states: "Now for the first time, World
Jewry openly says what it wants:
'Germany must die!'“

Page 3: "And you can read the Jew's
solution in the booklet The War Aim of
World Plutocracy." A review of
Kaufman's proposal follows. "The
German Wehrmacht will ensure that
World Jewry's terrible plan, as
proclaimed by the Jew Kaufman, will
never become reality.

Page 4: "You must ensure through
your behavior that Jewry never again
has even the slightest influence on our
people."
109
Newspapers, like the Der Sturmer, accuse Jews of being Satan and plotting to
murder German Christians and steal their blood in Jewish rituals
110
Kristallnacht

In November 1938, the Nazi’s organized a
riot and attack against German and
Austrian Jews.

The “Night of the Broken Glass” included
the physical destruction of synagogues
(churches), stores, vandalization of homes,
the arrest of Jewish men and the murder of
many innocent Jews.
111
Nazi Targets

Even though Jews were the primary target
for Hitler and the Nazi regime, they
persecuted other groups as well.

In order to “justify” their abuse of “racially
inferior” groups, the Nazi scientists
instituted eugenics and other biological
experiments and programs.
112
Eugenics laws from 1933-1935

320,000-350,000 individuals who were considered
“inferior” were forced into involuntary “sterilization
programs” through surgery or radiation.

Included in these treatments were Jews, Gypsies,
blacks, German-Africans, mentally and physically
handicapped.

Even 500 children were sterilized in the program.
113
Other’s persecuted

Hitler also attacked those he considered
“undesirables” or “enemies of the state”.
These people were arrested and deported
or placed in concentration camps.

This included homosexuals, Catholics,
Jehovah Witnesses, and political
opponents.
114
1939-1945
The war begins!

On September 1, 1939, Germany invaded Poland and
World War II began.

The Polish were considered inferior or “subhuman” so
the Germans began their quest to eradicate (eliminate,
destroy) or enslave the Polish people.

The first step was to eliminate university professors,
artists, writers, politicians, and religious leaders.

Large populations of the Polish were resettled into
camps or pushed into other countries.
115

Their justification was that they needed to make more
“living space” for the growing “superior” German race.

Many Nazi families moved into the newly empty Polish
homes and took over all of the “abandoned”
possessions.

As many as 50,000 “Aryan looking” children were
kidnapped from Polish families and adopted by Nazi
families.

Later, these children were rejected for their lack of “pure
blood.”

They were placed in special children camps were they
died of starvation, lethal injection, and disease.
116
A dislocated Jewish family
A young Jewish boy
117
From chaos to insanity

As the war progressed, the brutality increased.
Initially, the “undesirables” were forced into
relocation or labor camps.

As the fighting began, Hitler and the Nazi
regime began “euthanasia” programs.

Prisoners of war, those classified as
“undesirable”, children, and other victims were
immediately killed in secret camps and
hospitals.
118
From insanity to nihilism

Over 400 ghettos were
established and entire
communities were evacuated.

Nearly 3 million Jews were
forced into these isolated
areas.
Within sealed ghettos, Jews died in tens of thousands to
starvation, overcrowding, disease, exposure to cold,
exhaustion and maltreatment.
119
Eventually, the Germans became so ruthless
towards their enemies, their killings became
“common activity”.
Mobile killing squads
were dispatched and
murdered thousands in
mass shootings.
33,000 people were
murdered in two days
during one bloody
murder spree.
120
The
Final
Solution:
 In a secret memo between Hitler and his commanders,
he demanded that all Jews, other undesirables, and all
Nazi resistors be eradicated (killed) quickly and
completely.

Between 1942-1944, the Germans began eliminating the
established ghettos and forced the Jews and other
“undesirables” into “extermination camps”

Six “killing sites” were established: Belzec, Sobibor,
Treblinka, Chelmno, Majdanek, and Auschwitz-Birkenau.

One million people died in Auschwitz alone.
121
Statistics of the Holocaust
91% of the Jewish population in
Poland was killed.
That equals 3,000,000 people.
1,100,000 Jews were killed in the
USSR.
The average survival rate for a
Jewish person was 1%.
Ultimately only 1 Jew survived
for every 100 people.
No European country was
unaffected from the Nazi hatred.
Nearly 6 MILLION Jews were
killed during the Holocaust
simply because they were Jewish.
This map shows the number of deaths in each country.
122
Total casualties of war:

The most recent estimates of the casualties
from WWII, including Jews, “undesirables”,
military, and civilians for both the Allies and
the Axis total 72 Million people.

That is twice as many people that live in the
entire state of California.
123
Visual tour of Auschwitz
http://www.historyplace.com/specials/slidesho
ws/auschwitz/ausch-show001.htm

Conversation with Elie Wiesel by Oprah
Winfrey
http://www.oprah.com/omagazine/200011/om
ag_200011_elie.jhtml

124