the path to war hitler’s germany and its path towards world war ii

The Path to WarThe Path to War

Hitler’s Germany and its path Hitler’s Germany and its path towards World War IItowards World War II

The Ascension of HitlerThe Ascension of Hitler

► Hitler wrote in Hitler wrote in Mein KampfMein Kampf:: “The army was “The army was never defeated in 1918. Germany was never defeated in 1918. Germany was stabbed in the back by traitors at home and stabbed in the back by traitors at home and betrayed by the Allies. Most of the woes of betrayed by the Allies. Most of the woes of Germany were caused by the Jews, who had Germany were caused by the Jews, who had manipulated finances to the ruin of Germany manipulated finances to the ruin of Germany and who could never be loyal to Germany or and who could never be loyal to Germany or to any other government. Germany had to to any other government. Germany had to become strong again. The country must be become strong again. The country must be cleansed of traitors, and the Versailles Treaty cleansed of traitors, and the Versailles Treaty must be scrapped!”must be scrapped!”


► Nazi rallies were masterpieces of political display.Nazi rallies were masterpieces of political display.► Hitler mesmerized crowds with his frenzied tirades.Hitler mesmerized crowds with his frenzied tirades.► Hitler viewed the masses merely as tools, and he Hitler viewed the masses merely as tools, and he

was actually contemptuous of them.was actually contemptuous of them.► In In Mein KampfMein Kampf Hitler wrote: Hitler wrote:

“…“…the intelligence of the great masses is small. As the intelligence of the great masses is small. As a result, all effective propaganda must be limited to a result, all effective propaganda must be limited to a few points…a few points…

► Many believe that most political campaigns since Many believe that most political campaigns since the 1930’s have been influenced by this Nazi style. the 1930’s have been influenced by this Nazi style.

The Ascension of HitlerThe Ascension of Hitler► Hitler became German Hitler became German

chancellor in January chancellor in January 1933. With that, the 1933. With that, the Third ReichThird Reich was was born. born. (The First Reich, or (The First Reich, or empire, was begun by empire, was begun by Charlemagne in 800 and Charlemagne in 800 and abolished by Napoleon in abolished by Napoleon in 1806, the Second Reich 1806, the Second Reich began in 1871 with began in 1871 with German unification and German unification and ended in 1918). ended in 1918).

► Hitler claimed the Hitler claimed the Third Reich would last Third Reich would last 1000 years.1000 years.

The Ascension of HitlerThe Ascension of Hitler► Through the Through the Enabling Enabling

ActAct (March, 1933), Hitler (March, 1933), Hitler became dictator. He became dictator. He stripped the Reichstag of stripped the Reichstag of any real power.any real power.

► He dissolved opposition He dissolved opposition parties; outlawed labor parties; outlawed labor unions; censored the unions; censored the press; suspended civil press; suspended civil liberties.liberties.

► He threw out laws not He threw out laws not beneficial to Nazism.beneficial to Nazism.

The Ascension of HitlerThe Ascension of Hitler► In 1933, the Nazis In 1933, the Nazis

established labor established labor camps and camps and concentration camps.concentration camps.

► The first camp was at The first camp was at Dachau, near Munich.Dachau, near Munich.

► These camps were These camps were initially for political initially for political enemies (like enemies (like Socialists/CommunistSocialists/Communists, and later for Jews s, and later for Jews and homosexuals, and homosexuals, etc.)etc.)

The Ascension of HitlerThe Ascension of Hitler►Hitler proclaimed himself Hitler proclaimed himself

der der FuhrerFuhrer (the leader) (the leader) and immediately and immediately required all members of required all members of the armed forces to take the armed forces to take an oath of loyalty (the an oath of loyalty (the Blood Oath), not to Blood Oath), not to Germany or the German Germany or the German Constitution, but to Constitution, but to Hitler himself.Hitler himself.

► The Nazis hired over The Nazis hired over 100,000 informers to 100,000 informers to report anyone (even report anyone (even parents) suspected of parents) suspected of disloyalty.disloyalty.

Hitler’s (and Germany’s) Anti-Hitler’s (and Germany’s) Anti-SemitismSemitism

►According to Hitler, Germans were According to Hitler, Germans were Aryans Aryans (which means “noble” in Sanskrit) and (which means “noble” in Sanskrit) and were the “were the “master racemaster race” or “super race.” ” or “super race.” All others, particularly Jews and Slavs, All others, particularly Jews and Slavs, were inferior. were inferior. Jews were to be eliminatedJews were to be eliminated and and Slavs were to be made into slavesSlavs were to be made into slaves. .

►Hitler said “Nature is cruel…so we may be Hitler said “Nature is cruel…so we may be cruel, too…I have a right to remove cruel, too…I have a right to remove millions of an inferior race that breeds millions of an inferior race that breeds like vermin.”like vermin.”

Hitler’s (and Germany’s) Anti-Hitler’s (and Germany’s) Anti-SemitismSemitism

►Looking for scapegoats to blame for Looking for scapegoats to blame for Germany’s problems, Hitler Germany’s problems, Hitler consistently blamed the Jews.consistently blamed the Jews.

► In the mid-1930’s, Germany’s Jewish In the mid-1930’s, Germany’s Jewish population represented less than 1% population represented less than 1% of the total population (about 500,000 of the total population (about 500,000 people).people).

► In 1935, Hitler began to eliminate Jews In 1935, Hitler began to eliminate Jews from German national life with the from German national life with the Nuremberg Laws.Nuremberg Laws.

The Nuremberg Race LawsThe Nuremberg Race Laws►Known as the Reich Citizenship Law and the Known as the Reich Citizenship Law and the

Law for the Protection of German Blood and Law for the Protection of German Blood and Honor.Honor.

►These deprived Jews of most civil libertiesThese deprived Jews of most civil liberties. It . It was the beginning of the German tactic of was the beginning of the German tactic of isolating them from the rest of the population.isolating them from the rest of the population.

►There was a national boycott of Jewish There was a national boycott of Jewish businesses. businesses.

► Jewish doctors were forbidden to treat non-Jewish doctors were forbidden to treat non-Jews and Jewish lawyers were not allowed to Jews and Jewish lawyers were not allowed to advise clients.advise clients.

The Nuremberg Race LawsThe Nuremberg Race Laws

► Jewish children Jewish children were barred from were barred from German schools.German schools.

►Books written by Books written by Jewish authors Jewish authors were banned were banned and/or burned.and/or burned.

► Intermarriage was Intermarriage was prohibited. prohibited.

KristallnachtKristallnacht► In October, 1938 a 17 year-old shot and In October, 1938 a 17 year-old shot and

killed a German embassy official in Paris. killed a German embassy official in Paris. ►The teenager was reacting to his parents’ The teenager was reacting to his parents’

harassment and humiliation from the harassment and humiliation from the Nuremberg LawsNuremberg Laws..

►The Nazis retaliated on the night of The Nazis retaliated on the night of November 9, 1938, when violence against November 9, 1938, when violence against Jews (a Jews (a pogrompogrom) broke out across ) broke out across Germany and Austria. This was called Germany and Austria. This was called KristallnachtKristallnacht, , (the night of the broken (the night of the broken glass).glass).

KristallnachtKristallnacht

►Over 1,000 synagogues were burned Over 1,000 synagogues were burned or destroyed, 7,000 Jewish business or destroyed, 7,000 Jewish business were trashed and looted, over 350 were trashed and looted, over 350 Jewish people were killed and several Jewish people were killed and several hundred wounded, and Jewish hundred wounded, and Jewish cemeteries, hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, hospitals, schools, and homes were looted.homes were looted.

►The next day, 30,000 Jewish men were The next day, 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration arrested and sent to concentration camps. camps.

KristallnachtKristallnacht► Jewish businesses Jewish businesses

could not reopen could not reopen unless they were unless they were managed by non-Jews.managed by non-Jews.

►New curfews were New curfews were placed on Jews.placed on Jews.

►Any person identified Any person identified as being Jewish now as being Jewish now had to wear the had to wear the yellow Star of David.yellow Star of David.

KristallnachtKristallnacht

The Third Reich was organizing for The Third Reich was organizing for WarWar

►The Nazis molded the minds of German The Nazis molded the minds of German citizens through a program that glorified citizens through a program that glorified war. Textbooks were rewritten.war. Textbooks were rewritten.

►Hitler began massive preparations for the Hitler began massive preparations for the expansion of Germany (“expansion of Germany (“lebensraumlebensraum”), ”), which included food rationing laws which included food rationing laws (designed to make Germany self-(designed to make Germany self-sufficient in the event of war).sufficient in the event of war).

►These laws regulated the amount of food These laws regulated the amount of food each person could have and where they each person could have and where they could buy it.could buy it.


►Germany was also short of raw Germany was also short of raw materials so laws were set up so materials so laws were set up so nothing was wasted. nothing was wasted.

►Shopkeepers were allowed a Shopkeepers were allowed a specified amount of wrapping specified amount of wrapping paper; households were to save paper; households were to save empty toothpaste tubes, waste empty toothpaste tubes, waste animal fats, and paper (to be animal fats, and paper (to be recycled into useful items for recycled into useful items for warfare).warfare).


►Economic revival through “Economic revival through “pump pump primingpriming” (stimulating the economy ” (stimulating the economy through public works programs) built through public works programs) built popular support for the Nazis.popular support for the Nazis.

►From building tanks and airplanes (thus From building tanks and airplanes (thus violating the ToV) to farm production violating the ToV) to farm production and the Autobahn, unemployment went and the Autobahn, unemployment went from over 6M in 1932 to 1.6M in 1936 from over 6M in 1932 to 1.6M in 1936 (nearly a 75% decrease).(nearly a 75% decrease).


►The The AutobahnAutobahn highway system was highway system was built to permit the built to permit the rapid movement of rapid movement of troops around the troops around the country (but built country (but built under the guise of under the guise of getting thousands of getting thousands of unemployed men unemployed men working).working).

Germany and GeopoliticsGermany and Geopolitics

►GeopoliticsGeopolitics is the study of government is the study of government and its policies as affected by physical and its policies as affected by physical geography.geography.

►Created in Germany in the 1920’s, Created in Germany in the 1920’s, geopoliticsgeopolitics initially stated that the initially stated that the country that controlled eastern Europe country that controlled eastern Europe would be able to control the “would be able to control the “HeartlandHeartland,” ,” the area extending from southwestern the area extending from southwestern Russia to Mongolia. Command of the Russia to Mongolia. Command of the HeartlandHeartland would lead to control of the would lead to control of the World-IslandWorld-Island, consisting of Europe, , consisting of Europe, Africa, and Asia (roughly 2/3’s of Earth).Africa, and Asia (roughly 2/3’s of Earth).

Germany and GeopoliticsGermany and Geopolitics

► Picture of World Picture of World IslandIsland

Germany and GeopoliticsGermany and Geopolitics►Hitler believed that under German control, Hitler believed that under German control,

eastern Europe, with its vast mineral and eastern Europe, with its vast mineral and agricultural resources, would become a agricultural resources, would become a great industrial region.great industrial region.

►This would enable Germany to control the This would enable Germany to control the HeartlandHeartland. By controlling the Heartland, . By controlling the Heartland, vital industries could be moved to remote vital industries could be moved to remote regions, beyond the range of attack. The regions, beyond the range of attack. The result would be world domination by result would be world domination by Germany.Germany.

►GeopoliticsGeopolitics was a major factor leading was a major factor leading Hitler into Eastern Europe and then Russia.Hitler into Eastern Europe and then Russia.

Germany Defied the DemocraciesGermany Defied the Democracies►Hitler had Germany Hitler had Germany withdraw withdraw from the from the

League of Nations in 1933.League of Nations in 1933.► In March 1935, Hitler denounced the In March 1935, Hitler denounced the

Treaty of Versailles and announced he Treaty of Versailles and announced he was was rearming Germanyrearming Germany (on the grounds (on the grounds that other nations had failed to disarm in that other nations had failed to disarm in accordance with the Treaty). He quickly accordance with the Treaty). He quickly took the army from 100,000 troops to took the army from 100,000 troops to nearly 600,000.nearly 600,000.

Germany Defied the Germany Defied the DemocraciesDemocracies

►Having correctly assessed the Having correctly assessed the spinelessness of Britain and France, in spinelessness of Britain and France, in March 1936 Hitler sent German troops March 1936 Hitler sent German troops into the into the demilitarized Rhinelanddemilitarized Rhineland, , totally violating the Treaty of totally violating the Treaty of VersaillesVersailles..


►Only a token force of three German Only a token force of three German battalions (a battalion is between 300-1200 battalions (a battalion is between 300-1200 soldiers) actually entered the Rhineland, and soldiers) actually entered the Rhineland, and they were under strict orders from their they were under strict orders from their nervous generals to withdraw at once if the nervous generals to withdraw at once if the French responded to this breach of the treaty French responded to this breach of the treaty with military force. with military force.

►The German generals knew that the much The German generals knew that the much larger French army could crush their army at larger French army could crush their army at this time, and believed that Hitler was taking this time, and believed that Hitler was taking a dangerous gamble. a dangerous gamble.


►The British were obliged under the The British were obliged under the Treaty of Treaty of LocarnoLocarno (1925) to provide France with military (1925) to provide France with military support in such a situation, but when asked by support in such a situation, but when asked by France for that support, the British government France for that support, the British government refused to honor its treaty obligation. refused to honor its treaty obligation.

►Despite having thirty army divisions at the Despite having thirty army divisions at the border in readiness to cross and disperse the border in readiness to cross and disperse the three German battalions, the French lost their three German battalions, the French lost their nerve in the absence of support from Britain. nerve in the absence of support from Britain.

Germany Defied the DemocraciesGermany Defied the Democracies

►Hitler’s successful Hitler’s successful challenge of the hated challenge of the hated Treaty of Versailles Treaty of Versailles increased his increased his popularity in Germany.popularity in Germany.

►The western The western democracies democracies denounced his moves denounced his moves but took no real action. but took no real action.

►France and Britain did France and Britain did not want a war with not want a war with Hitler.Hitler.

Entering the RhinelandEntering the Rhineland


►Many in Britain thought Hitler’s moves were Many in Britain thought Hitler’s moves were justified since they thought Versailles was too justified since they thought Versailles was too harsh on Germany. “Why should not Hitler harsh on Germany. “Why should not Hitler have the right to fortify his own territory? If have the right to fortify his own territory? If this demand can be satisfied, Germany will this demand can be satisfied, Germany will likely become a good neighbor.” likely become a good neighbor.”

►What do think might have happened if Britain What do think might have happened if Britain honored its obligation to France and France honored its obligation to France and France forced the Germans out of the Rhineland?forced the Germans out of the Rhineland?


► If France had acted firmly in what would If France had acted firmly in what would have been little more than a police action, have been little more than a police action, and Britain had fulfilled its treaty and Britain had fulfilled its treaty obligations to France, obligations to France, the German troops the German troops would certainly have been instantly would certainly have been instantly withdrawn, and Hitler's prestige would withdrawn, and Hitler's prestige would have been dealt a deadly blowhave been dealt a deadly blow from which from which it might never have recovered. it might never have recovered.

►The last opportunity to bring Hitler into The last opportunity to bring Hitler into compliance, and halt the rise of a compliance, and halt the rise of a militarized, aggressive Germany without militarized, aggressive Germany without risk of a serious war, had been thrown risk of a serious war, had been thrown away by weak politicians. away by weak politicians.


►The western democracies adopted the The western democracies adopted the policy of policy of appeasementappeasement, giving into , giving into the demands of an aggressor in order the demands of an aggressor in order to keep the peace. to keep the peace.

► In both Britain and France, many saw In both Britain and France, many saw Hitler as a defense against a more Hitler as a defense against a more insidious evil--insidious evil--the spread of Soviet the spread of Soviet CommunismCommunism..


►The Great Depression also sapped The Great Depression also sapped the energies of the democracies.the energies of the democracies.

►Finally, widespread Finally, widespread pacifismpacifism and and lasting disgust from World War I lasting disgust from World War I pushed many governments to pushed many governments to seek peace at any price.seek peace at any price.


► In 1936, Hitler and In 1936, Hitler and Mussolini sent in Mussolini sent in troops and supplies to troops and supplies to help the Fascists take help the Fascists take over Spain.over Spain.

►This brought Mussolini This brought Mussolini and Hitler closer and Hitler closer together and in together and in October 1936, the October 1936, the Rome-Berlin AxisRome-Berlin Axis was was announced.announced.


►One month later, Japan was added to One month later, Japan was added to the Axis as the three signed the the Axis as the three signed the Anti-Anti-Comintern PactComintern Pact (promising to unite (promising to unite against Communism).against Communism).

►By the end of 1936, Hitler was By the end of 1936, Hitler was convinced that no one would stand up convinced that no one would stand up to his aggression. to his aggression.

Germany Defied the DemocraciesGermany Defied the Democracies► In 1938, Hitler annexed Austria (the In 1938, Hitler annexed Austria (the

AnschlussAnschluss) creating a union between the ) creating a union between the two largest German speaking countries. two largest German speaking countries.

►Hitler forced the Austrian chancellor to Hitler forced the Austrian chancellor to appoint Nazi’s to key government posts and appoint Nazi’s to key government posts and when the chancellor refused other when the chancellor refused other demands, Hitler sent in the German army to demands, Hitler sent in the German army to “preserve order,” essentially taking over “preserve order,” essentially taking over the country.the country.

► The western democracies again took no The western democracies again took no action.action.

German Troops enter AustriaGerman Troops enter Austria

Germany Defied the DemocraciesGermany Defied the Democracies►Hitler’s next victim was Hitler’s next victim was

Czechoslovakia. In Czechoslovakia. In 1938, Czechoslovakia 1938, Czechoslovakia was one of the two was one of the two remaining democracies remaining democracies in eastern Europe (the in eastern Europe (the other was Finland). other was Finland). About three million About three million Germans lived in the Germans lived in the western western Czechoslovakian region Czechoslovakian region known as known as SudetenlandSudetenland, , and and Hitler claimed that area.Hitler claimed that area.


► In September 1938 at the In September 1938 at the Munich Munich ConferenceConference, Britain and France again chose , Britain and France again chose appeasementappeasement.. Hitler assured Britain and Hitler assured Britain and France that if the Sudetenland was given to France that if the Sudetenland was given to him without a fight, he had no future plans for him without a fight, he had no future plans for expansion. expansion.


► Returning from the Returning from the Munich ConferenceMunich Conference, the , the British PM, British PM, Neville Neville ChamberlainChamberlain, told the , told the crowd in London he had crowd in London he had achieved “achieved “peace for peace for our timeour time.” In the .” In the House of Commons, he House of Commons, he declared that the declared that the Munich PactMunich Pact had “saved had “saved Czechoslovakia from Czechoslovakia from destruction and Europe destruction and Europe from Armageddon.”from Armageddon.”


► In response to In response to Chamberlain, Chamberlain, Winston Churchill Winston Churchill said “They had to said “They had to choose between choose between war and war and dishonor. They dishonor. They chose dishonor; chose dishonor; they will have they will have war.”war.”


►As Churchill predicted, Munich did not bring As Churchill predicted, Munich did not bring peace. Less than six months later (March peace. Less than six months later (March 1939), Hitler had gobbled up the rest of 1939), Hitler had gobbled up the rest of Czechoslovakia. The western democracies Czechoslovakia. The western democracies finally realized that finally realized that appeasementappeasement failed.failed.

►Britain and France now promised to protect Britain and France now promised to protect Poland, the next likely target of Hitler’s Poland, the next likely target of Hitler’s expansion.expansion.

►Britain and France also finally began Britain and France also finally began programs of preparedness, but it was too programs of preparedness, but it was too little too late.little too late.

Hitler and StalinHitler and Stalin► In August 1939, In August 1939,

Hitler stunned the Hitler stunned the world by world by announcing a announcing a non-aggression non-aggression pact with his pact with his great enemy—great enemy—Josef Stalin.Josef Stalin.

►Publicly the Publicly the Nazi-Nazi-Soviet PactSoviet Pact bound Hitler and bound Hitler and Stalin to peaceful Stalin to peaceful relations.relations.

Hitler and StalinHitler and Stalin►Secretly the two agreed: 1) not to fight if the Secretly the two agreed: 1) not to fight if the

other went to war, and 2) to divide up Poland other went to war, and 2) to divide up Poland and other parts of Eastern Europe between and other parts of Eastern Europe between them.them.

►The Pact was not based on friendship or respect The Pact was not based on friendship or respect but need. Hitler wanted to protect his eastern but need. Hitler wanted to protect his eastern flank from a Russian attack when Germany flank from a Russian attack when Germany would be at war with Poland. It gave Stalin would be at war with Poland. It gave Stalin some time to build up Soviet military strength.some time to build up Soviet military strength.

►Soon Germany would betray the agreement.Soon Germany would betray the agreement.

Hitler and StalinHitler and Stalin

the path to war hitler’s germany and its path towards world war ii

Documents

mein kampf hitler

ascension of hitlerhitlers

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hitler mesmerized crowds

deprived jews

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ruin of germany