Rise of Hitler

• Fascism is a complex and mutable political ideology, but is typically defined as a far-right authoritarian, ultranationalist political ideology and movement.
• Fascism is characterized by a a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief inv a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived good of the nation and race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.
• The Treaty of Versailles: Germany as forced to abide by the following terms of the treaty: Army of no more than 100 000 men and no tanks; reduce navy, no submarines and no air force. Alsace - Lorraine returned to France. Germany lost all its colonies. Rhineland demilitarized. Anschluss with Austria forbidden. Forced to recognize Poland and Czechoslovakia territorial claims. Sign the War guilt clause. Germany large reparations.
• Rhineland was an industrialized area near French border
• Anschluss - Union
• Even through Germany had little choice in signing the treaty, much of the German population blamed the government for the humiliation and economic hardship the treaty caused for years to come.
• After the treaty of Versailles many Germans associated liberalism with the countries that defeated them in WWI
• Resentment towards the German government, undermined German confidence in their liberal democratic government.
• Economic Hardship: After WWI the German economy was in ruins. Had trouble with reparation payments and massive inflation saw savings being wiped out. Just when the economy started to improve the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression put the country back into economic hardship.
• Legacy of Authoritarian Rule in Germany: Since the creation of the German Empire the government was authoritarian in many ways. The Kaiser and the Chancellor held power and created a welfare state with lots of insurance. Thus, many germans saw the authoritarian system as benevolent.
• Nationalism, Militarism, Law and Order: When the Weimar republic failed to provide Germans with any hope in hard times they looked back to authoritarian rule. Hitler capitalized on their fears and desperation
• Adolf Hitler's Nazi Party: Promoted absolute nationalism, which called for the unification of all german-speaking peoples (Anschluss). USed paramilitary organization to stifle dissent and to terrorize the opposition. Centralized decision making in a single leader to whom everyone owed loyalty.
• The Nazi's advocacy of law and order appealed to many Germans who were tired of years of instability.
• Theories of racial Superiority: Propaganda was used to promote: a racial theory that claimed that Germans formed a superior "Aryan Race". The Jews as a scapegoat; claimed Jews were the cause of Germany's problems.
• Anti-Semitism were not unique to Germany, many Christians blamed Jews for the crucifixion of Jesus so they were discriminated across Europe.
• Living with Fascism in germany: Leadership - Germany is Hitler, Hitler is Germany; total allegiance
• Living was Fascism in Germany: Collectivism - Every citizen works for the greater good of Germany
• Living was Fascism in Germany: Big Business-State-Military Partnership - Cooperation between these aspects of society.
• Living was Fascism in Germany: Racism - Superiority of the Aryan race, anti-semitism, eugenics
• Living was Fascism in Germany: Extreme Nationalism - Greatness of Germany and its people
• Living was Fascism in Germany: Anti-Liberalism - Anti-individualism
• Consolidating Power: In November 1932, the Nazi party held 1/3 of the seats in the reichstag. By 1933 Hitler was named Chancellor. Capitalizing on the situation he quickly turned Germany into a totalitarian state.
• Consolidating Power: A fire in the reichstag was used by Hitler to spread fear of a communist takeover. Although it is believed the Nazis actually started the fire, he used the incident to solidify his power.
• Hitler passed to Reichstag fire Decree and Enabling Act 1933 which made it possible to: restrict personal freedom, freedom of opinion, press and organization and assembly. Eliminate the privacy of mail, telegrams, and phone conversations. Eliminate need for warrants to conduct searches. Pass Legislation through the office of the Chancellor without the approval of the Reichstag. Ban all other political parties
• Germany became a dictatorship by 1933. The Nazi's purged germany of opposition to them. when President Hindenburg died, Hitler declared himself Fuhrer (leader)
• While individual rights suffered the economy benefited: unemployment decreased. Foreign imports were restricted to promote German products designed to achieve autarky.
• Autarky - Complete self-sufficiency and independence from other nations
• The strict enforcement of law and order gave people a sense of security. Transportation improved. rallies and propaganda bought hope and confidence.
• Hitler Ideology 1. Return to Glory. create a 3rd reich (empire) that would last for 1000 years.
• Hitler Ideology 2. Autarky - self sufficiency with natural resources (Germany's weakness was that it does not have it's own supply of oil)
• Hitler Ideology 3. Leibeusraun (living space) - Need to expand on its borders (east), saw these resources as going to "waste" and the Nazi's though it should belong to them as the strongest (social darwinism). Hegemony (domaninance) to spread German culture throughout the world.
• Hitler Ideology 4. Superiority of the Aryan race - Blonde hair/blue eyes, Aryans were truly loyal to Germany. Did not like those with disabilities, homosexuals. For Germany to become great again, it had to eliminate the inferior races.
• Hitler Ideology 5. Hatred - Jews, Communists, weimar republic, treaty of Versailles
• Hitler Ideology 6. Cult of the Personality - Draw large crowds to attend rallies. Able to tap into the volksgeist (spirit of the people). State becomes more important than the individual. Opposite of democracy. Characteristics of a dictator is paranoia.
• Liberalism was rejected because it was not working.
• Hitler Appeal - Economy was doing well. restoration of German Pride/Hitler stood up to the rest of the world. Ministry of Propaganda/brainwashed the population.
• Hitler Catastrophic Failure - Concentration camps with millions killed. 6-8 million jews, 10-12 million civilians. genocide - largest flaw in the rejection of liberalism by Germany. No peaceful transition of power - Hitler dies of suicide surrounded in April 1945
• Weimer republic: new government of Germany which was put into place after WWI. 6 million unemployed. Heaves way for Hitler.