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 This presentation will take a closer look at:

• World War I aftermath, Treaty of Versailles (1919), and reparations made by

Germany
• Rise of Hitler and Nazism: Hitler’s popularity boost after the Great Depression
and the failure of Democracy in the Weimar Republic
• How Germany became a fascist state
Aftermath of
World War I
 Overview: The aftermath of WW I

The Treaty of Versailles was signed, at the Palace of Versailles,

1919 by Germany and the Allies on 28 June 1919.

The Treaty was the peace settlement with Germany, imposing harsh conditions
for Germany going forward:

Germany would accept blame for declaring war.

Germany would lose all its colonies and huge territories in Europe.

Germany would lose most of its army and navy as well as all of its air force.

Germany would have to pay reparations of £6,6 billion.

 Overview: The aftermath of WW I

Germans felt betrayed that Germany surrendered and its emperor,

Kaiser Wilhelm, renounced the throne before fleeing to the
Netherlands.

A new government formed, and Germany

Click onsoon
thebecame
diaries known as the
to see more
Weimar Republic (a democratic republic).
facts about the aftermath of WW I

Germans resented the Treaty of Versailles, and politicians tried to

reverse the terms throughout the 1920s and 1930s.

Hitler promised to do just that in many of his speeches.

 Overview: The aftermath of WW I

November Criminals were those

who agreed to – and signed – the
Treaty of Versailles.

Hitler stated that:

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 The Rise of
Adolf Hitler and Nazism
 The Rise of Adolf Hitler, Der Führer (The Leader)

Hitler volunteered in the war and was recovering in hospital from an attack that left him partially
blind.

Adolf Hitler was Disillusioned by Adolf Hitler became Adolf Hitler died on
born in Austria on Germany’s defeat, he the Chancellor in the 30th of April
the 20th of April moved to Munich 1933 and then the 1945, Berlin,
where he joined the Führer in 1934−1945 Germany
German Workers’
Party.
1889. 1919. 1933. 1945.

But what happened

Click on the watch to find out more.
in 1920?
The Rise of Adolf Hitler, Der Führer (The Leader)

• 1921: Hitler became the leader of the organisation, which changed its name to
the National Socialist German Workers’ (Nazi) Party.

• The Nazi Party was anti-semitic and anti-communist, and promoted

nationalism.

• Hitler was a skilled orator who gave speeches about socio-economic problems
all through the 1920s.

• The Nazi party proposed the Twenty-five Point Programme: they believed
state power should be preserved and that the law should serve a racially
defined Aryan national community.

• It later replaced the democratic constitution of 1919.

Glossary
The Rise of Adolf Hitler, Der Führer (The Leader)

1923:
Hitler goesBeer Hall Putsch:
to prison Hitler
where he and Nazi
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writes
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blueprint outliningHitler
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charged with treason. Germany.

1918−1923: Hyperinflation plummets the Weimar Republic into chaos.

 The Rise of Adolf Hitler, Der Führer (The Leader)

By the mid-1920s, the Weimar is stabilised and

1929: Stock market crashes; American loans to
inflation is down; prosperity is on the horizon
Germany stop and the Great Depression begins.
for Germany.
The Rise of Adolf Hitler, Der Führer (The Leader)

• Weimar, dependent on these loans, is plunged into chaos and ripe for a takeover.

• By 1933, Germany loses access to US markets due to USA implementing tariff

barriers to protect its own companies.

• Result: German unemployment at 6 million and many German banks, industrial

companies, and factories close.

• 1930−1933: Hitler’s vote is rising. During this time the Nazi Party restrains its
anti-semitic agenda; in 1932, the Nazis win 37% of the seats in the Reichstag.

• Hitler is then elected Chancellor by President von Hindenburg

Glossary
At the Nazi Party’s First Large Gathering in 1920

D e man d s
Hitler makes themay
• Non-citizens following provisions:
only live in Germany as guests and must be subject to
• laws for aliens.
We demand the unification of all Germans in a Greater Germany on the
basis of the right of national self-determination.
• The right to vote ... shall be enjoyed by the citizens ... alone. We demand
• therefore
We demand that...all
theofficial appointments,
revocation of whatever
of the peace kind, whether
treaty of Versailles …. in the
Reich, in the states or in the smaller localities, shall be held by none but
• citizens.
We demand land and territory (colonies) to feed our people and to settle
our surplus population.
• We demand that the State shall make its primary duty to provide a
• livelihood for of
… only those its German
citizens.blood,
If it should prove
whatever impossible
their to feed
creed, may the entireof
be members
population, foreign nationals
the nation. Accordingly, no Jew(non-citizens) must beofdeported
may be a member ….
the nation.
At the Nazi Party’s First Large Gathering in 1920

Additional provisions proposed by Hitler:

- All non-German immigration must be prevented.

Wetodemand
... that
facilitate theallcreation
non-Germans who entered
of a German national
Germany
press after 2 November 1914 shall be required
we demand:
to leave immediately ….

that all editors of, and contributors to newspapers

appearing in the German language must be members of
the nation.

that no non-German newspapers may appear without express permission of the State. They
must not be printed in the German language.
that non-Germans shall be prohibited by law from participating financially in or influencing
German newspapers.
The Party ... is convinced that our nation can achieve permanent health only from within the
basis of the principle: The common interest before self-interest.
 Der Führer:
Von Hindenburg dies in 1934, and Hitler assumes his position in addition to retaining his
position as Chancellor. He is now in complete control of Germany.
Nazi Germany: a
Fascist State
 Quick Notes on Hitler and the Nazis

1930s: when the Nazis were in power, Hitler began his attempt to
reverse the conditions of the Treaty of Versailles.
Policies were established to allow Germans to take back their lands and
build their armed services. They promised future good behaviour. i.e.
appeasement

Hitler was fixated on two primary goals:

1.Removing all the Jews from Germany
2.Winning ‘living space’ for Germany in the east
 Mid-1933 to early 1940s:

Laws were passed that oppressed Jews:

Anyone with 3 or 4 Jewish grandparents was considered a Jew. It didn’t

matter if:
• they identified as Jewish.
• they even belonged to the Jewish religious community.
 Mid-1933 to early 1940s:

Laws were passed that oppressed Jews:

A law was passed revoking the employment rights of Jews.

Shortly after Hitler was named Chancellor, a campaign was formed to

boycott Jewish businesses.
 Mid-1933 to early 1940s:

Laws were passed that oppressed Jews:

A law was passed revoking the employment rights of Jews.

Cultural and artistic restrictions: Jews were forced to leave jobs in theatre,
cinema, and the arts.

Jews were disenfranchised and robbed of most political rights.

 Quick Activity

Discuss in pairs or groups:

1. How did the Nazi Party justify Germany’s

WWI defeat to the public? Who did the party
make the scapegoat?

2. What were the Nazis’ two main goals? How

did this differ from what they conveyed in their
campaign in the
early 1930s? [6 minutes]