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Period: to
Rise of Hitler
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Hitler and WWI
Adolf Hitler found WWI to be a chance to prove that Germany was superior than other European countries. Hitler liked war, he was, for the first time, in a group that was fighting for a common goal. He won five medals including the prestigious Iron Cross. Although he was a very decorated soldier, he only reached the rank of Corporal. In October of 1918, he went blind due to a mustard gas attack. While he was recovering his vision, Germany surrendered which led Hitler into a state of depression. -
Germany Surrenders: Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty held Germany alone responsible for WWI. The German people believed they were being punished for a war that was not only at their fault and one they had to fight in and suffer losses too. Germany signed the treaty under protest and suffered huge losses economically and politically. They lost 1/8 of their land, were forced to pay reperations, limit their navy and more. Many Germans were desperate to find a new leader to get them out of the depression, he turned out to be Adolf Hitler. -
Nazi Party is formed
(date unknown)
Hitler joined the German Workers' Party and gradually began to gain followers of the party. Hitler's party gained popularity when they placed the swastika, a known anit-semetic symbol, in a white circle on a red flag. Hitler changed the name of the party to include National Socialist resulting in: National Socialist German Workers' Party, Nazi for short. -
Hitler becomes the leader of the Nazi Party
During the summer of 1921, Hitler traveled to Berlin to visit nationalist groups. During his absence, there was an uprising within the Nazi party in Munich. He returned to Munich and on July 11, 1921,he resigned.The party realized they would have no supprt for the Nazi party if Hitler were no longer a part. He stated he would return if he was made chairman and given dictorial powers. His demands were put to a vote with 243 for the change, and only 1 against.The Führer of the Nazi Party was born. -
Beer Hall Putsch
This was Hitler's attempt to overthrow the Weimar government of Ebert. He was hoping to put a nationalistic one in its place. Hitler and 600 of his SAs went to a bussiness meeting at a beer hall that was being addressed by the Bavarian Prime Minister, Gustav Kuhr. It is disputed as to what actually happened next, however after much discussion, it is said people started to publicly show their support for Hitler. The meeting ended and Hitler made the mistake of letting the bussinessmen go. -
Hitler is tried for Treason
Hoping to use the poor economic conditions do his advantages, he staged the Beer Hall Putsch. He was hoping to force the conservative nationalist Bavarian government to cooperate with a March In Munich. Hitler had started the march with 3000 men, at the center of the city they met 100 armed men, shots were fired. This continued for just a little then Hitler was led away in acar that was waiting for him. This plan failed and he was tried for treason and given a rather mild sentence at Landsberg. -
"Mein Kampf"
(Date unknown) Hitler paced in his jail cell during 1923 and 1924 and dictated his story to Rudolph Hess. He duscussed his youth, the earlier days of the Nazi Party, his plans for Germany's future, and his ideas about politics and race. He discusses how the Aryans and Jew have been fighting for world dominance. He says at several points that Jews are liars, sly, parasites, etc. Many years later, in 1942, Hitler stated that "Mein Kampf" would never had been written had he not been in jail. -
Stock Market Crashes
When Wall Street crashed, the United States gave Germany 90 days to repay the debts they owed. Companies throughout Germany went bankrupt and workers were layed off in millions. In these desperate times, people turned to the Nazi and Communist parties. -
Nazi Party in Reichstag
(date unknown)
In the 1930 Reichstag election, the Nazi party gained 143 seats. Hitler only expected 50-60 seats. In the July 1932 elections, the party gained 230 seats. This made them the largest party in the Reichstag. -
Hitler voted Chancellor
When he was voted Chancellor, the head of a coalition governement, it was very clear to him it was not going to stay that way. After the death of President Hindenburg, he combined the chancellor's and president's positions and became the Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor. -
The Reichstag Building Burns
Two men, Göring and Goebbels, had permission from Adolf Hitler to burn the Reichstag and blame the Communists. Coincidentally, there was a communist in Berlin who was conducting a one-man-uprising. He was attempting to burn government buildings. On February 27, he went to the Reichstag, broke in, and started burn the building. What exactly happened is unknown, however Nazi troops under the direction of Göring were also involved of the burning of the Reichstag. -
Hitler becomes a dictator
On March 23, elected officials met to discuss Hitler's Enabling Law. The law was quickly passed, once he signed the documents, in 24 hours he would become the dictator of Germany. From then on, whatever he wanted was law.
