Hitler and the Nazi Party's Rise

Hitler's Early Career and the Nazi Party's Rise

• Hitler was an intelligence officer who joined the German Workers Party in 1919.
• The German Workers Party was an anti-Semitic political group.
• By 1920, Hitler's public speaking ability led him to become the chief propagandist for the DAP(German Workers Party).
• In 1920, the DAP was renamed the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi party).
• Hyperinflation occurred in 1923 because more money was being produced, diminishing its value.
• Germany's inability to pay reparations led to France invading parts of Germany.
• The Dawes Plan required Germany to repay American investors.
• The Beer Hall Putsch was a failed revolt in Munich led by Hitler.
• Hitler was charged with treason and imprisoned, serving 9 months of a 5-year sentence.
• While in prison (1924-1925), Hitler wrote 'Mein Kampf,' expressing anti-Semitic views.
• The first major Nuremberg Rally occurred in 1927 .
• By 1929, the Great Depression caused the USA to demand their money back, leading to France invading again due to Germany's inability to pay.
• In 1933, the Nazi party became the largest party.
• President Hindenburg was compelled to appoint Hitler as Chancellor due to the Weimar Republic's collapse.
• Being Chancellor enabled Hitler to enforce laws, including the Enabling Laws.
• Hitler banned other political parties.
• In April 1933, Hitler established the Gestapo, a secret police force.
• In 1934, upon Hindenburg's death, Hitler combined the roles of Chancellor and President, naming himself "Fuhrer".

Nazi Ideology and Training

• Nazi children were trained from a young age to conform to Nazi ideology.
• The film conveys a loss of innocence.
• The film shows the dangers of totalitarian government.
• The film encourages critical thinking.

Themes in the Film

• Brainwashing and propaganda
• Loss of individuality
• Impacts of Nazi ideology on children
• The weak are punished
• Dehumanization

Symbolism and Visuals in the Film

• The film follows a German boy's (Hans) upbringing in Nazi Germany.
• Hans is taught to adhere to Nazi beliefs from a young age.
• Lessons in schools portray the weak as deserving death and the world belonging to the strong.
• Hans becomes a nameless soldier, conforming to Nazi ideology.
• Straight lines in marching emphasize obedience and lack of freedom.
• Chains highlight how the Nazi ideology is ingrained.

Film Target Audience

• Society, especially modern society, is warned of the dangers of totalitarian governments.
• Adults and children during WWII were informed about the Nazi's.

Nazi Indoctrination

• Children were required to have specific names.
• Children were required to prove their Aryan heritage.
• Children were given a copy of Mein Kampf.
• Kindergarten introduced distorted stories to manipulate children's minds.
• Children were taught to Heil Hitler from a young age.
• Daily pledges in class centered on fighting, obeying, and dying for the Fuhrer.
• The "fox eats the rabbit" story taught that the world belongs to the strong, thus the weak deserve to die.
• Children were taught German superiority.
• The Bible and religion were replaced with Nazi ideology.
• Churches and books conflicting with Nazi beliefs were burned.
• Children were forced to heil and march.

Key Nazi Objectives

• Nationalism aimed to reverse the Treaty of Versailles, including reparations, military, and territorial losses.
• Revenge was sought against the UK and France.
• Lebensraum (Living Space) justified expansion into Eastern Europe.
• The Enabling Act allowed Hitler to implement laws without government approval during emergencies.
• The Reichstag fire was blamed on communists, justifying the Enabling Act.
• The Enabling Act unified society and suppressed minorities by creating a common enemy.
• The Nazi's supported increased military build-up and German conquests due to nationalism.
• Racial purity/Aryan superiority
• Social Darwinism was used to justify the superiority of the Aryan race.
• Jewish, Communists, Disabled and Slavic people were identified as threats to the Aryan race
• Propaganda, the Gestapo, The Holocaust & laws were used to implement racial purity.
• Eugenic processes were used before WWII to create a society of the Aryan race.
• Authoritarian leadership (Fuhrerprinzip)
• The Weimar Republic was weakened due to a lack of public support.
• Fascism in Italy was a model for Nazi leadership
• Hitler was glorified in propaganda as the righteous ruler of Germany.
• Political opposition was eliminated through the Enabling Act & concentration camps.
• Hitler’s policies affected the events of WWII

Anti-Communism

• Many communist revolutions occurred at the time.
• The soviet union was a major enemy (ideology and racially) and a major slavic nation
• The Reichstag Fire (1933) was blamed on communists
• The night of the long knives (1934) was used to target left-wing elements within the Nazi party itself, solidifying Hitler’s control and strengthening the SS
• The invasion of the society union (operation Barbarossa 1941) was framed as a war against communism and the Slavs
• Hitler's ruthlessness was shown as he was willing to kill his own allies to gain control .

Militarism

• Germany was destined to be a military superpower.
• Propaganda romanticized war, encouraging people to support and enlist in the war.

Anti-Semitism

• Anti-Semitism's long history dates back to the Roman Empire.

Roman Time

• Jews were viewed as stubborn due to their monotheistic beliefs, differing from Roman religions.
• The Romans invaded small kingdoms in modern-day Israel which caused Jews to urge to rebellion.
• Jesus was killed in 30 CE, leading his disciples to create Christianity and distance themselves from Jews.
• Christians had growing anti-Jewish feelings due to their rejection of Jesus.
• In 66-73 CE, a Jewish rebellion against Roman rule resulted in the destruction of Jewish worship and exile, known as the Diaspora.
• The Bible (Book of Axe) Jewish leaders persecuted Christians spreading Christianity which sparked the Diaspora
• Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire (325 CE).
• Jews were increasingly marginalized.
• 5th-7th centuries saw violence against Jews escalate.
• Jews were prohibited from public appearance during Christian Holy Week.

Early Middle Ages

• Despite population growth, Jews remained marginalized in Christian areas.
• They were excluded from the feudal system, sparing them some oppression.
• Jews moved to money lending as they were restricted from certain jobs.
• Christian Kings protected Jews for their wealth.
• Local priests used Passion Plays at Easter time to depict Jew’s killing Jesus (1300) causing persecution and exile for most of the Jewish population - These plays were first performed in Germany .

High Middle Ages

• Heightened persecution of Jews occurred during the Crusades.
• Jews were attacked in violence from religious groups from 1251 to 1320.
• Jews were forced to convert to Christianity or face death.
• English Jews were banished in 1290, 1396 (100,000 Jews) were expelled from France and 1421 in Austria .
• Many Jews fled to Poland.

Middle Ages

• Jews were accused of causing the Black Death by poisoning wells
• 200 Jewish communities were destroyed, and mass murders occurred such as 900 Jews were burnt alive in Strasbourg .
• Jews had to wear badges or cones on their heads.
• Jews were separated into Ghettos in Italy and Germany.
• Jews prohibited to live in certain parts of town - restricted to Ghettos only
• Restrictions included not owning land, farming, practicing law, medicine, or holding public office.
• Banking functions were dominated because Christians were prohibited from usury.

England (1200s)

• The privilege to lend money was abolished.
• In 1275, King Edward I taxed Jewish money lenders to finance the war against whales.
• Nov 17th 1278, all Jews 3000 were arrested for suspected coin flipping/ counterfeiting - Jewish homes were searched
• 300 Jews were executed in 1279 .
• 1290 Jews were expelled from England because they thought Jews were ‘Christ-killers’ .

Golden Age in Spain

• Jews flourished from 900-1100 in Moslem Spain.
• Hasdai Ibn Shaprut contributed to the political field.
• Jews served as emissaries for Arab Kings.
• Jews had safety under Muslim control until Christianity took over in 1492; Ferdinand and Isabella defeated the last Moslem state.
• Rumors spread that Jews had sneaked valuables.
• Forced to sell homes and businesses at low prices
• Conversion to Christianity was encouraged by Dominican priests.
• Spanish Jews (Sephardic Jews) settled in Europe and the Arab world.
• While fleeing, many died, especially thrown overboard during storms.

Renaissance

• Advancements in arts, sciences, astronomy, and philosophy weakened Church influence.
• Jews played major roles in medicine and religious thought (primarily in Italy)
• Jews faced discrimination, including wearing badges and living in ghettos in Italy and Germany.

Poland

• After expulsion from Spain, Austria, Hungary, and Germany Jews migrated to Poland
• Poland was known as ‘Heaven for the Jews’.
• The 16th-17th century saw Poland having the largest population in Europe .
• Jews had the ability to choose their Chief Rabbi (1551).
• 30% of money went to jewish causes, the rest went to the Crown for protection

16th-18th Century

• Attitudes towards Jews shifted, with citizenship rights granted in western Europe.
• France, Austria, and Prussia were among the first to grant Jews civil freedoms and rights of citizenship.
• Conservative leaders opposed Jewish emancipation, placing restrictions when they gained political control in the 1700’s .

Jews in Germany (1800s)

• Jews in German states faced discrimination.
• Prussia granted citizenship in 1812 but remained barred from state positions.
• Education focused on sciences, languages, law, and religious study.
• National laws made Jews equal in 1871.
• Most converted to Christianity.
• Jews considered themselves Germans of Jewish descent.

Race Replaces Religion

• Until the 1800s, Jews were considered a religious group.
• Anti-Semitism first appeared in 1873 in the book Victory of Judaism over Germany by Wihelm Marr .
• Believed jews to be an alien race French diplomat Joseph Arthur Gobineau blamed civilization's decline on interbreeding isolating Jews from non-Jews and causing mistreatment.
• The aryan race was introduced.

The Dreyfus Affair

• In the late 19th century, Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish army officer, was falsely convicted of betraying French military secrets, sentenced to life imprisonment.
• Liberals and conservatives defended the military authorities as they divided French society.
• Dreyfus was eventually cleared and reinstated.

Pogroms in Eastern Europe

• Over 5 million Jews lived in the Russian Empire by the end of the 1800s, 90% in the Pale of Settlement.
• The Pale, known as shtetls, was characterized by poverty and harsh living conditions.
• Yiddish was the primary language for most Jews in the Pale.
• Jews maintained a separate cultural identity due to lack of state education.
• Russian Cossacks destroyed, looted, and killed Jews in the Pale.
• Between 1881 and 1917, over two million Jews left Russia for better lives, many emigrating to the US, Britain, Canada, South Africa, and Europe.
• The fall of the Tsarist regime in 1917 abolished repressive laws, but Jewish activity and expression were still attacked by 1918.

Anti-Semitism

• Anti-Jewish books and pamphlets were printed globally.
• The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, a hoax, appeared in Russia in 1903.
• It was translated into German and sold by thousands.
• Hitler made the book compulsory reading in German schools.

Immigration to USA

• Jews emigrated from Eastern Europe to the U.S. in the 1800s, during tragedies.
• The emigration began in 1882 and continued in waves, often triggered by pogroms.
• Emigration was influenced by decrees driving Jews out of Moscow, Kishinev pogrom, and the failed revolution against Czar Nicholas.
• The emigration began in 1882 and continued in waves often triggered by pogroms.
• Jewish worlds transformed and the European world they left behind.

WWI and Russian Revolution

• The German army's attack on Russia led to the "Great Retreat," causing significant losses in Poland, Lithuania, Estonia, the Baltic states, and White Russia.
• Psychological unpreparedness for the Holocaust occurred because of the mistreatment of Jewish Russians by the retreating Russian army.
• The Russian Civil War, lasting from 1917 to 1921, destroyed the Jewish community from the First World War.
• Communism, based on atheism, had no tolerance for the Jewish religion, leading to persecution, jailing, and death for observing Judaism.
• The Russian Civil War (1917-1921)

WWI Middle East

• Turkish rule resulted in severe suffering for Jews, including starvation, beating, and daily evictions.
• Over 25% of the Jewish population died in the first two years of the war.
• British and Australian forces fought against the Turks in Gallipoli, Palestine, and Arabia.
• By WWI's end, Palestine was under British control, leading Jews to openly support British rule.

Balfour Declaration

• Chaim Weitzman, a chemist, solved the problem of exploding artillery shells for the British, earning him honours and maintaining close relationships with high-ranking officials in England.
• Sir Arthur Balfour, later the British Foreign Secretary, authored the Balfour Declaration in 1917, which favored the establishment of a permanent Jewish home in Palestine.
• The Balfour Declaration, initially ignored by Jews, became the cornerstone of Jewish policy, paving the way for the rest of the world.
• The Balfour Declaration built Jewish hopes, despite the destruction of Jewish Europe during World War I, and boosted Jewish optimism post-war.

Extermination

• There was a minority view of mass killing of Jews.
• Pogroms were carried out in Russia, Poland, and Ukraine before WWI.
• Around 100,000 Jews were murdered in western Ukraine in 1918-1920.
• 60,000 Jews were killed in Poland and Ukraine in 1919-1921.
• Calls for genocide or relocation of Jews occurred.
• Nazis' views on Jews were part of public discourse before their rise.

1900-1939

• Total war led to civilian population loss, community destruction, and religious infrastructure breakdown.
• Post-WWII, German Jews were blamed for war defeat and economic depression.
• Pogroms in Eastern Europe and the Middle East (1918-1920) fueled prejudice.
• Political, social, and economic turmoil impacted Jews in Germany and Europe in the 1920s and 1930s.
• Violence against Jews continued, with violence in Algeria, Poland, and Germany
• The Kristallnacht occurred in Germany and Austria on November 9-10, 1938.

Holocaust

• Adolf Hitler promoted prejudice against Jews and other "undesirables."
• Jewish children were excluded from schooling, businesses were closed, and temples were burned.
• Ghettos were re-established, segregated, and inhumanely populated.
• The "Final Solution" was developed, a plan to eliminate all Jews, including extermination camps.
• By 1945, over 6 million Jews and 5 million other victims were murdered.
• The Holocaust ended when Allied armies defeated the Germans and their allies.

The State of Israel

• Many European Jews migrated for political escape in North America (USA, Canada).
• Many European Jews migrated for political escape South America (Argentina, Brazil).
• Many European Jews migrated for political escape in the Antipodes (Australia, New Zealand).
• Migration from Eastern Europe to Western Europe.
• Many Jews left for British Palestine, despite British restrictions.
• On May 14, 1948, Israel was established as the first self-governance nation-state for Jewish people since the Roman invasion.
• Israel is the only country with a majority Jewish population.

Anti-Semitism Continues

• Anti-Semitism has been prevalent in various historical contexts, including the USSR, Poland, and Australia.
• The USSR targeted Jewish poets, writers, painters, and sculptors 1948-53.
• Anti-Jewish violence occurred in Poland in 1968.
• A 2008 U.S. State Department report showed an increase in anti-Semitism worldwide.
• Middle East countries have denied tourist access to Israel.
• Neo-Nazi groups target Jewish citizens in Western Europe.
• Jewish graves have been desecrated in Australia.
• A 2012 U.S. Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor report noted a global increase in anti-Semitism.
• Human Rights Watch founder Robert Bernstein identifies anti-Semitism as deeply ingrained in Arab nations.
• Middle East media and commentators' dialogue about Jews resembles Nazi propaganda.

Early Forms of Anti-Semitism

• Early prejudices can be traced back to Ancient Rome, with Jewish communities viewed suspiciously for their distinct religious practices.
• Expulsion, massacres, oppression, and heavy taxation set the stage for future prejudices.

Reinforcement by Governments and Religious Institutions

• During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church perpetuated harm against Jews, creating them as Christ-killers, persecution and forced conversions
• European rulers enforced ghettos, taxes, limited job opportunities, marginalising communities.

Impact of Economic Restrictions

• Banned from land ownership, prospects and areas created individuals moving into money lending.
• Jewish people were viewed as greedy and manipulative, fueling hatred towards the wealth and power.
• In literature they were depicted as villains, an instance in Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice which has been interwoven into modern day as the term ‘To Jew someone down’ with expressed in an unethical manner.

Persistence of Anti-Semitism

• Anti-Semitism persisted as it created someone to blame for wrongdoings during historical periods.
• Because Judaism has always been a minority, religions justified their actions based on a religious standpoint, viewing them as a threat to their beliefs.
• Tension between Catholics and Jews from Roman times resulted in the crucifixion of Jesus.

The Nazi Party's Origins

• The German Workers’ Party was founded in January 1919 by Anton Drexler.
• The German Workers’ Party met at a beer hall in Munich and advocated extremism.
• Hostility to the Treaty of Versailles, nationalism, concerns about moral standards, cultural change, and extreme antisemitism grew at the time.
• On February 24, 1920, the German Workers’ Party changed its name to the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP, or Nazi Party).

Factors Supporting Extreme Ideas in Germany

• People were more likely to support radical terms especially those of the Nazi party promising freedom.

Adolf Hitler's Rise Within the Party

• In 1919, Adolf Hitler joined the German Workers’ Party.
• Hitler's speaking abilities led to an invitation to join the party committee.
• Hitler transformed the German Workers’ Party towards gaining a larger influence.
• He organized large rallies, became responsible for recruitment and propaganda.
• He requested to change the democratic committee with a single leader who would have full control.
• The proposal was rejected and Hitler resigned July 11 1920.
• The committee agreed to Hitler’s demands to become party chairman, which Hitler became.

Hitler's Persuasive Speaking Abilities

• Hitler was a demanding presence, shown to be confident and attention grabbing.
• Due to his persuasive nature, he was a key element to the Nazi party due to his delivery and emotional intensity presenting himself as a saviour to German society.

The Munich (Beer Hall) Putsch

• Hitler tried to overthrow the Weimar Republic in November 1923 by armed uprising.
• Hitler marched into a beer hall in Munich on November 8 where Gustav von Kahr (an important ring-wing politician in Bavaria) was giving a speech.
• Hitler intended to take over the government and start a national revolution, and Von Kahr supported Hitler at gunpoint.
• Due to a disagreement between the SA and troops when Hitler left caused von Kahr withdrew his support banning the Nazi Party.
• Hitler led a demonstration through the streets of Munich, aiming to take control of the war ministry building on November 9, 1923.
• There were 14 Nazi members and 4 police officers that were killed.
• Hitler was arrested two days later on November 11 1923.

Images of the Nazi Party During Beer Hall Putsch

• Soldiers paraded through the city.
• People were on the ground.
• Tall apartment buildings were shown.
• The Nazi party members were standing as one to represent a combined effort for success.
• The blur emphasized how quickly the war escalated and their main purpose was hidden from society,
• The tall buildings indicated the rest of the world segregated, unable to uncover the atrocities occurring from within.

Nazi Party Reorganization

• Hitler changed tactics to manipulate the German democracy after the Munich Putsch failure.
• The political divisions were unified and restructured to be efficient after Hitler's release.
• The Nazis created groups for different professions and sections of society to infiltrate social structures.
• The Nazis aimed to gain members and supporters through this process.

Nazi Youth Organizations

• Children wanted to join these youth groups because they were advertised to them as fun and made them feel like they belonged.
• Sports, camping, and marching activities made them feel part of something greater.
• Nazi beliefs were taught through songs, speeches, and activities.
• Children felt pride of their German heritage
• Children believed loyalty to the Nazi Party was best way to help the country.
• Teaching the next generation would ingest their Nazi ideologies and stereotypes.
• Organizations taught Nazi children obedience, racial ideology and militarism to ensure they would be dedicated supporters..
• The photographs symbolized the Nazi regime's values including strength, loyalty and unity that were portrayed in all media such as posters and magazines.
• They influenced propaganda used to demonstrate a utopia, thus influencing individuals to join.

The Sturm Abeilung (SA)

• Violent and often disorderly, the SA protected Nazis and disrupted political opponents.
• The SA's bad reputation was due to their public disturbance and violence.
• The SA used fear and violence to control people who disagreed with them.
• They wanted to scare society into obeying and stopping them from speaking out.
• The symbol for violence and terror was the SA.
• The Nazi Party used the SA to terrify their opposition, eliminate them & intimidate people to support them.

Nazi Propaganda

• Propaganda is biased or misleading information that promotes a specific political cause or ideology.
• The Nazis started advocating ideas tailored to a broad range of different people in Germany and their specific problems.
• The hands offering construction tools reinforced the idea that the Nazi party offers economic stability.
• The poster was aimed at individual's who suffered during the Great Depression with unemployment.
• As a financial guarantee, its emphasis would recover German society and economy.
• Germany was suffering from the Great Depression that resulted in widespread poverty and unemployment, making the Nazi party's attractive.
• Joseph Goebbels used modern media, films, and radio to build an image of Hitler as the leader Germany needed to become a great power again.
• The image of Hitler that was created was known as ‘The Hitler Myth’.
• Hitler presented as caregiver and father figure
• Wanted to build emotion and loyalty to Hitler

Circumstances in Germany

• The Nazi Party received very few votes in the election of 1928.
• The Wall Street Crash of 1929 caused the political and economic instability changing the parties influence.

Economic Instability

• The Wall Street Crash caused an international economic depression due to the link with all international economies.
• The USA called in their international loans due to the need of money in their own country.
• Germany decreased dependence on American loans which caused a severe depression in their economy.
• German wages decreases by39% investment and business was reduced,
• People in full time employment fell from twenty million in 1929, to just over eleven million in 1933.
• Over 10,000 businesses decreased and closed
• Poverty increased sharply.
• The Weimar democracy was failing resulting in a decline in living standards.

Political Instability and the Conservative Elite

• Between 1929 and 1933 there were four different chancellors of the Weimar Republic.
• The Weimar Republic Chancellors increased poverty during the time.
• Many of the chancellors asked President Hindenburg to use Article 48 to rule.
• Conservatives wanted to help the Nazis because they were afraid of communism and wanted a strong leader destroys the political left who they could control.
• The new Reichstag president Hindenburg’s choice
• Influence with people
• Rich businesses

Electoral Success

• Nazis attracted 8x more votes than in 1928, securing 107 seats in the Reichstag with 18.7% of the vote in 1930.
• The continuing political instability increased the Nazis’ popularity between 1930 and 1932.
• Goebbel's propaganda campaign showed Hitler being a new, dynamic and modern leader.
• Hitler flew from venue as the propaganda emphasizing this dynamic point
• Hitler lost election with 36.8% of the vote to Hindenburg’s 53% in February 1932

Although Hitler lost the election, the Nazis felt that their campaign had been successful

• The campaign proved to encourage the economic recovery from Nazi promotion in propaganda
• There was growing influence , with more than 8x the votes from the last election that suggested the growing growth of the party
• The party was given greater influence on German politics which resulted in Hitler being appointed Chancellor in 1933

Shortly after the presidential election, there was another general election in July 1932,

• Nazis became largest party with 230 seats at 37.3%

Posters for campaigning

• Determined and strong
• running for election made it look powerful
• Save people from suffering

How the Great Depression played a role in the Nazis rise to power

• damaged the German economy
• mass unemployment and poverty
• The Weimar republic was failing that the Nazi capitalized on the struggle and promised economical recovery and stability.
• People wanted to escape from financial hardship that made them want to support nazi

Propaganda

• “Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Fuhrer” promoted unity under Hitler’s leadership.
• increased public engagement and rallies
• only their voices in radio to get across propaganda
• create one enemy like Jews communists creating fear and hatred