Topic 10.3: The Rise of Nazism (1919-1933)

Influences on Hitler

• Influence of Mussolini: Hitler was inspired by Mussolini's ideology and methods in Italy.
  • Both disillusioned WWI veterans.
  • Hitler modeled his political vision for Germany on Mussolini's accomplishments.
  • Shared common beliefs and values, such as authoritarianism, militarism, and nationalism.

Germany Post-WWI

• Conditions in Germany: Similar struggles to post-WWI Italy.
  • Collapse of the German imperial government.
  • Fragile Democratic Republic replaced it.
  • Economic issues, Treaty of Versailles.
  • General discontent despite brief economic recovery before the Great Depression.
  • Radical right-wing groups blamed socialists, communists, and Jews for Germany's woes.

Emergence of the Nazi Party

• Hitler's Early Involvement:

  • Joined fringe political groups in 1919.
  • Focused on the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi Party).
  • Initially leaned towards communism but shifted to fascism.

• Nazi Party Development:

  • Reorganized the party, formed paramilitary (brown shirts).
  • Acquired newspaper, adopted swastika.
  • Growth from a few dozen members to several thousand by end of 1921.
  • Failed Munich uprising in 1923, imprisonment of Hitler.

"Mein Kampf"

• Prison and Ideological Development:
  • Hitler wrote "Mein Kampf" during nine months of imprisonment.
  • Elaborated on his political vision.
  • Incorporated fascist values with his own interpretation (authoritarianism, militarism, nationalism).
  • Extreme focus on race, ethnic purity, and anti-Semitism.

Promises and Propaganda

• Economic Prosperity: Nazi promises included jobs, self-sufficiency, and defiance of the Treaty of Versailles.

  • Vision of government-managed economy.
  • Return to traditional values and past glories.
  • Appealed to veterans and general population.

• Speeches and Rallies: Hitler’s speeches, often at rallies with free beer, rallied support by blaming scapegoats (mostly Jews).

Path to Power

• From Margins to Mainstream

  • By late 1920s, Nazis had a significant presence in German politics.
  • 1932: Gained powerful contingent in government.
  • 1933: Hitler installed as Chancellor, combined roles of Chancellor and President in 1934.

• Consolidation of Power: Hitler quickly took control:

  • Outlawed other political parties.
  • Purged Nazi Party and German army.
  • Controlled labor unions, press, and radio.
  • Embraced propaganda.
  • Invested in infrastructure and industry to revive economy.

Anti-Semitic Policies

• Early Measures: Initial anti-Jewish laws aimed at removing Jews from important positions.

  • 1935: Nuremberg Laws removed citizenship and forbade intermarriage.

• Increasing Persecution: Continued with hate crimes, economic pressure, and complete ethnic segregation by 1938.

  • Jews banned from public facilities, entering "Aryan zones," claiming state benefits, etc.

• Propaganda: Wave of anti-Jewish material portraying Jews as greedy, untrustworthy, and barely human.

Impact and Legacy

• Moral Collapse of Europe: The rise of Nazism indicated a moral decline in Europe.
  • Embraced negative ideologies: European superiority, social Darwinism, scientific racism.
  • Rejected positive notions like tolerance and human equality.
  • Focused narrowly on destructive progress.