Hitler and Nazi Germany

1. Hitler and Nazi Germany

2. History of Discrimination Middle Ages *Christian Europe *Ghettos *Jewish Myths Black Death From 1349-1390- many Jewish communities almost disappeared *Usury- providing loans with interest

3. Hitler’s Background • Born: April 20 1889 • Father: minor gov’t official; 23 years older than wife • unfaithful, wife beater • regular beatings of son was good for him. • Hitler was close to mother. • Hitler left home for Vienna in 1907 • Mom died 1908 of breast cancer. • Her doctor was a Jew. • Hitler blamed dr. and Jews for her death? * Show intro clip

5. Loved his teenage niece, Geli Raubal, who killed herself with his pistol. • 6 of his “women” would or would try to commit suicide. • (Eva B. attempted suicide in ’32 and ’35, his attraction to her grew)

6. Hitler’s Background • 1908 anti Semitism (hatred towards Jews) grows in Europe • In Vienna, wanted to pursue art • failed entrance exam at art school twice. • Many of Vienna’s powerful, famous people were Jewish • Wanders for 5 years • Bitterness towards Jews grows stronger • Vienna was a hotbed for racism and religious intolerance

7. Hitler’s Background • Soldier in WWI • Cheers start of war • Gives him something to belong to • Dispatch runner • Lance Corporal • wins Iron Cross • many close calls with death • chosen by God? • Blamed loss of WWI on politicians • esp. Jews.

8. Background Info • After WWI Hitler moves to Munich • Becomes a spy for the Weimar Government – spies on political party meetings • German Workers Party • No reparations • No Weimar • No demilitarization • Joins the German Workers Party

9. Hitler’s 1st attempt to take Over • 1923 Hitler staged a takeover of the government (The Beer Hall Putsch) • Failed, sentenced to prison for 5 years, served 9 months • Wrote his book “Mein Kampf” (My Struggle) • Strong anti-Semitism • Anti-communism

12. Taking over legally • No violent overthrow • Turned Nazi’s into a mass political party • 1932: largest party in the German parliament (Reichstag) • Right-wing elites (industrial leaders, landed aristocrats, military leaders) looked to Hitler for leadership

13. Taking over legally • Jan 1933 President Hindenburg, under pressure, allows Hitler to become chancellor (head of parliament) • Feb 1933: Reichstag Fire, Hitler blames communists for fire • 2 months later the Reichstag passed the enabling act: the government/chancellor can ignore the constitution for 4 years • Hitler makes himself dictator

14. Nazis take over • Brought all institutions under Nazi control • Jews removed from the civil service • Concentration camps (labor camps) set up for people who opposed the new regime (communists, gypsies, Catholics, intellectuals, artists): Dachau • All other political parties abolished • All public officials and soldiers take an oath to their “Fuhrer” (leader)

15. The Nazi State 1933-1939 • Goals: • Create a German empire: “The Third Reich” • Restore German Power and Pride • Get rid of Treaty of Versailles • Prevent Communist takeover

16. Organizations • The Schutz-staffeln 1925 (SS) • Hitler’s bodyguards • Leader of the SS: Heinrich Himmler • Used Terror • The Gestapo (1933) The secret police • Actions not subject to law/courts

18. Economic Policies • Public Works Projects • Rearmament Project: producing weapons again created factory jobs • Unemployment dropped: 1932- 6 million 1934- 2.6 mil and 1937 500,000

19. Spectacles • Mass demonstrations were used to get the support of the people • Called: The Nuremburg party rallies • Evoked enthusiasm and excitement

21. Hitler Youth: The Boys • Jungvolk -Ages 10-14 -Arms drills -Hiking trails --Sports meetings • Hitler Youth -Ages 15-18 -military focus INDOCTRINATION!!!!!

23. Hitler Youth: the girls • Jungmadel -Ages 10-14 -Hiking trips - Sports meetings • League of German Girls -Ages 15-18 -fitness • Baby makers - 1 year of farm or domestic service INDOCTRINATION!!!!!

24. Show vid clip: the German ppl

25. Racism and Discrimination • Germanic Races are supreme (Aryan) – blonde- hair, blue-eyed • Weakest Nations were of mixed races • Races without homeland were considered parasitic races – Jews, Gypsies, Poles • Discriminated against homosexuals and the disabled Euthanasia clip

26. Women and Nazism Women’s role: bearers of children and good mothers Jobs: nurses, social work August 12th had been the birthday of Hitler’s mother. On this day each year, the Motherhood Cross was awarded to women who had given birth to the largest number of children. The gold cross went to women who had produced 8+ children; silver was for 6-7 children and bronze was for 4-5 children

28. Law for the Encouragement of Marriage= This law stated that all newly married couples would get a government loan of 1000 marks which was about 9 months average income. 800,000 newly weds took up this offer. This loan was not to be simply paid back. The birth of one child meant that 25% of the loan did not have to be paid back. Two children meant that 50% of the loan need not be paid back. Four children meant that the entire loan was cleared.

29. Lebensborn’s= buildings where  selected unmarried women could go to get pregnant by a "racially pure" SS man. These were not buildings that were hidden away in some back street. The government openly publicized them and they had a white flag with a red dot in the middle to identify them to the public.

30. Anti-Semitism Jews used as scapegoat for all of Germany’s problems Nuremberg Laws: Jews no longer German citizens, required to wear yellow stars of David, carry id cards Kristallnacht (1938): the night of shattered glass Burned synagogues Destroyed 7000 Jewish businesses Killed at least 100 Jews Jews sent to concentration camps