230 likes | 245 Views
Explore the origins of World War II, focusing on Hitler's rise to power, Germany's war debt and reparations, and the impact of Hitler's policies on the economy and culture. Learn about Hitler's early expansion, the Munich Agreement, anti-Semitism, and the Nuremberg Laws.
E N D
Origins of World War II The Rise of Militarism: Hitler & Germany
War Debt and Reparations • By 1920 the Allies owed the US $10 billion • The only way Allies could pay was to collect reparations from Germany • Germany – forced to borrow $ to pay reparations • - also printed more $ - led to massive inflation
Hitler’s Reaction • Hitler was a young and bitter WWI vet at this time • Needed someone to blame for Germany’s problems • Became convinced that politicians, Jews, and Communists lost WWI not the German army
Hitler’s Reaction • Hitler joined the National Socialist German Workers Party (NAZI) – very radical • Beer Hall Putsch – tried to overthrow gov in 1923 • His efforts failed and he was placed in jail
Hitler & Mein Kampf • While in jail he wrote Mein Kampf (My Struggle) • Laid out his plans to restore German power • 1 – re-armament • 2 – War w/ France • 3 – War w/ Soviets
Hitler & Mein Kampf • Hitler blamed the Jews, Communists, and intellectuals for German decline • Germany falls into deep depression • Many who had been ruined by the depression supported Hitler
Hitler’s Rise to Power • 1932 the Nationalist Socialist Party (Nazis) came to power • Hitler is elected Chancellor of Germany - 1933 • Hitler & his Third Reich (Empire) claim dictatorial powers through Martial Law – • Became Fuhrer in 1934
Hitler’s Policies • Believed in “Racial Hygiene” • Prohibited all Jews and non-Nazis from holding government positions • Outlawed strikes and mandated military service • Nazi soldiers (Brownshirts)crushed all opposition • Violated the Treaty of Versailles by rearming Germany
Changes to Economy and Culture • Women stay at home – awarded for having four or more babies • Cut unemployment w/ public building projects – roads, dams, railroads • Berlin – 1936 Olympics • Creation of Volkswagen – “People’s Car”
Hitler’s Early Expansion • March 1936 • German troops occupy the Rhineland • 1938 • - Alliance w/ Japan • - German troops overrun Austria
Hitler’s Early Expansion • Sudetenland Region: • -Part of Czechoslovakia • -Had 3 million German-speaking residents • -Hitler demanded the region but Czechoslovakia refused
Given to Germany in part of the Munich Agreement Britain – “the peace of our time” Hitler felt cheated out of War Sudetenland
Anti-Semitism • = prejudice and or hostility towards Jews • - became the official policy of the German government • 1933 – 500,000 Jews in Germany • Jews not allowed to own guns
Nuremberg Laws • Instituted in 1935 • Deprived Jews of their German citizenship and authorized the destruction of Jewish property • Jews cannot marry Germans
Fleeing the Country • Wealthy and famous Jews could flee the country • Albert Einstein • Sigmund Freud • Most could not and had to stay and deal with Hitler