The Rise of Hitler and the Outbreak of the War
Early Life
Adolf Hitler was born in Branau am Inn, Austria on April 20, 1889 to Alois and Klara Hitler. He was one of six children. However, the only children to live past the age of six were Hitler and his sister, Paula.
Adolf Hitler’s father, Alois, was raised poor, but was able to provide for his family by working for the government. He had a negative attitude and a terrifying temper, which made him unable to become a good father. Adolf Hitler’s mother, Klara, had the opposite personality of her husband. However, she had no authority over him and therefore couldn't control him, because women had no power at that time.
Throughout Hitler’s early years, his family moved several times as a result of Alois' work obligations. As the family migrated and Adolf grew older, he became detached and uninvolved with his family as a result of his gaining an understanding of magnitude of the early deaths of his siblings.
Once the family settled down, they were living in Linz, near the German border. This affected Hitler greatly because of the large German influence in this area. Many Austrians living near Hitler considered themselves to be German-Austrians. Even though they were subjects of the Austrian Monarchy, their loyalty went to Germany.
Adolf’s father had always expressed loyalty to Austria, making Hitler want to do the opposite. He and his friends often greeted each other in German and sang the German anthem instead of the Austrian anthem.
Dr. Leopold Pötsch also contributed to Hitler's obsession with Germany. Dr. Pötsch was a history teacher who told stories of successful German figures like Frederick the Great. The operas of German composer Richard Wagner also captivated Hitler. He saw his first opera when he was twelve and was immediately captivated by the stories of ancient Kings and Knights and their fights against their enemies. Hitler's time spent living in Linz created the foundation for his love for Germany.
At each school Hitler attended, he was uninterested in formal education even though his teachers raved about his intelligence and abilities. Hitler was more interested in the arts, something his father did not approve of. Alois pressured his son to become involved in the business world until he died on January 3, 1903. Once he died, this gave Adolf the opportunity to persuade his mother into letting him study art. In the fall of 1907, while his mother was in poor health as a result of breast cancer, Hitler took the entrance exam for the Academy of Fine Arts. After Adolf was rejected from the school, Klara Hitler died on December 21, 1907.
Klara Hitler’s death motivated Adolf to move to Vienna and apply to the school for a second time with the hopes of being accepted. Hitler was denied from the program again and ran out of money while waiting to be accepted. This forced him to live in men’s hostels for four years. Even though he was poor during this time, Hitler remained involved in the political environment by attending the Imperial parliament and witnessing violent confrontations. These experiences further confirmed Hitler’s nationalism that was prominent during his early school years. He became very hostile towards Socialists, but was not seen to have problems with Jews at this time.
Hitler's Rise in Power
A few months after the beginning of WWI, July 1914, Hitler joined the Bavarian regiment. During battle, he was never in the front lines but was still applauded for his bravery through multiple titles and awards. But after being injured during the war, Hitler was no longer able to participate in combat. He was then chosen to participate in the Bavarian Army’s Intelligence group to preach German nationalism and anti-Socialism to troops.
After the Germans surrendered in 1918, Hitler believed the army was betrayed by civilian leaders and Marxists. The Treaty of Versailles also angered Hitler because of the demilitarization of the Rhineland and the agreement that Germany started the war.
This is Hitler's speech about his opinion of the Treaty of Versailles. In this speech, Hitler expresses his love for Germany and the disgrace he feels when Germany surrenders. He speaks about how he wants to restore Germany to its rightful place of power. He promised to the German people that he would "Rectify the wrongs made by the Greater Enemy."
Hitler was so enraged with how World War I ended that he felt the need to find an explanation for this catastrophe. This is where Hitler and many other Germans blamed the Jews. The main reason the Jews were blamed for Germany's failure was because of their influence in the overthrow of the monarchy. Hitler also thought the Allies had an unfair advantage because wealthy Jewish merchants and bankers had been feeding them information.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/6852245/Adolf-Hitlers-hatred-of-Jews-stemmed-from-First-World-War.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215466/the_holocaust.htm
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/germany/6852245/Adolf-Hitlers-hatred-of-Jews-stemmed-from-First-World-War.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/CR0215466/the_holocaust.htm
In 1920, Hitler was discharged from the army and joined the German Worker’s Party. His was in charge of its publicity and propaganda. He changed the party’s name to the National Socialist German Workers Party or Nazis. The party hated the politicians who dishonored Germany by signing the Treaty of Versailles.
In 1921, Hitler challenged Anton Drexler to become leader of the Nazi party. After initial resistance, Drexler eventually allowed Hitler to become the new leader of the party. With his new found power, Hitler and General Ludendorff attempt to overthrow the Bavarian government with an armed uprising known as The Beer Hall Putsch. Hitler and 2000 Nazi’s marched through Munich to the Beer Hall to confront the most important individuals in Bavarian politics.
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/putsch.htm
http://www.historyplace.com/worldwar2/riseofhitler/putsch.htm
Hitler was captured the next day, tried for treason and served 9 months in Landsberg prison. During his imprisonment, he began dictating his thoughts and ideas which were later published as Mein Kampf (My Struggle). In this book, Hitler talks about his childhood, his political views, and his future plans. He says that the ideal person has blue eyes, blond hair, and fair skin. Hitler insists that this is the supreme race and that all others are beneath them. Mein Kamf enthralled readers and captivated them into agreeing with Hitler's views. He used this critical piece of propaganda to promote his agenda.
http://www.hitler.org/writings/Mein_Kampf/
http://www.hitler.org/writings/Mein_Kampf/
Expanding Germany
In September of 1930, Hitler had then become the leader of the second largest party in Germany. During the General Election, the Nazi Party increases its representatives in parliament from mere 14 to whopping 107. In attempt to gain even more power, Hitler challenges Paul Von Hindenburg however does not win.
However, January 1933, hitler became the Chancellor of coalition government. The Nazi’s have a third seat in the Reichstag. A month later, German Reichstag is destroyed by a fire, although the fire is obviously act of the Nazis, but the finger is pointed at the communist. In March The Enabling Act is passed and the power of legislation is given to Hitler making him a dictator. The first change he makes it making the Nazi party the only political party allowed in Germany, all other communist parties are banned. Hitler is determined to expand Germany's territories. In October Hitler withdrew from the League of Nations, and in the following months he expands the size of the German Army, and ignores the arms restriction that was initially imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler finally eliminates all rivals in June during the Night of the Long Knives.
One month later after the death of President Hindenburg, Hitler becomes “Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor”. In March 1938, the Austrian Chancellor, leader of the Austrian Nazi Party, invites the German army to occupy Austria and proclaim a union with Germany. Pleased with his territorial gain, in September 1938, British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain meets Hitler in Germany. Britain, France and Italy sign the Munich Agreement which gives the Sudetenland to Germany. In the coming months Hitlers increase of power was put into action with Kristallnacht. On this historical night 7,500 Jewish shops are destroyed and 400 synagogues are burnt. The attack is portrayed as a spontaneous reaction to the death of a German diplomat by a Jewish refugee in Paris. That following year Hitler invades Poland and after 3 weeks of lightning war or ‘Blitzkrieg’. By 1940, the Nazis occupy Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France. Romania and Yugoslavia are invaded, and by June 1941, Germany attacks Russia, ignoring the peace pact, and the German invasion of Russia begins.
However, January 1933, hitler became the Chancellor of coalition government. The Nazi’s have a third seat in the Reichstag. A month later, German Reichstag is destroyed by a fire, although the fire is obviously act of the Nazis, but the finger is pointed at the communist. In March The Enabling Act is passed and the power of legislation is given to Hitler making him a dictator. The first change he makes it making the Nazi party the only political party allowed in Germany, all other communist parties are banned. Hitler is determined to expand Germany's territories. In October Hitler withdrew from the League of Nations, and in the following months he expands the size of the German Army, and ignores the arms restriction that was initially imposed by the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler finally eliminates all rivals in June during the Night of the Long Knives.
One month later after the death of President Hindenburg, Hitler becomes “Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor”. In March 1938, the Austrian Chancellor, leader of the Austrian Nazi Party, invites the German army to occupy Austria and proclaim a union with Germany. Pleased with his territorial gain, in September 1938, British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain meets Hitler in Germany. Britain, France and Italy sign the Munich Agreement which gives the Sudetenland to Germany. In the coming months Hitlers increase of power was put into action with Kristallnacht. On this historical night 7,500 Jewish shops are destroyed and 400 synagogues are burnt. The attack is portrayed as a spontaneous reaction to the death of a German diplomat by a Jewish refugee in Paris. That following year Hitler invades Poland and after 3 weeks of lightning war or ‘Blitzkrieg’. By 1940, the Nazis occupy Denmark, Norway, Holland, Belgium and France. Romania and Yugoslavia are invaded, and by June 1941, Germany attacks Russia, ignoring the peace pact, and the German invasion of Russia begins.
Story of Survival
During this unit we read Maus I and Maus II both books taking place during Hitler's reign as chancellor in Germany. This book is a remarkable story of Vladek and his wife, Anja’s struggle for survival while being put through concentration camps. The books really well depicted the serious mistreatment that the jews had suffered form. It really unbelievable the way Vladek was able to work the system to his advantage. By presenting himself as a jack of many trades, he was much use to the Nazi’s. Vladek worked many jobs, such as a tinsmith, or as a shoe repairman. Being on the inside with the Nazi’s gave Vladek an advantage because he was able to get better treatment than other jews. He got more food, a heated bunk, better clothes, and overall better treatment by the Nazis. He was even able to find a way to get in contact with Anja who was in a neighboring concentration camp.
Another book related to our topic is The Rise of Hitler by Nathaniel Hawthorne. This book gives readers a taste of what it was like to live in Germany as Hitler took over. It describes Hitler speaking at rallies and the feelings of Jews in Germany.
Think: Do you think it is possible for someone with similar extremist views as Hitler, to become as powerful of a political leader in today's society?