The Rise of Nazism and Hitler - Class 9 History

Introduction

• Presented by Digra Singh Rajput
• Recap of previous chapters:
  • The French Revolution
  • Socialism in Europe and the Russian Revolution
• Nazism: A comprehensive system and ideology developed around Hitler
• Objective: Comprehensive overview of the chapter and identification of key themes

Context of the First World War

• First World War: 1914-1918
• Interrelation: Both the First World War and the Russian Revolution are important in the chapters of history
• Misconception: Understanding the chapters of history in isolation is a big mistake
• As a result of the First World War, Russia and Germany turned against each other

Summary of the Chapter

• Begins with The First World War and includes the story until the Second World War (1939-1945)
• Hitler: Nobody in 1918, everything in 1939
• Priority: Identification of important questions and themes

Brief Introduction

• First Topic: Birth of the Weimar Republic and political, economic conditions
• After Hitler came to power: His actions and the ideology of Nazism
• Nazi Worldview: Perspective on society and state

Helmuth’s Story

• Helmuth: A child whose father was a supporter of Hitler
• Result: Suicides after Hitler's defeat
• Lesson: The horrors of Nazi supporters' atrocities

Birth of the Weimar Republic

• First World War: 1914-1918, Central Powers (Austria, Germany, Turkey) vs Allied Powers (Russia, France, Britain, America)
• Result: Defeat of the Central Powers, the imposition of peace treaties on Germany and other countries
• Weimar Republic: Election of the German parliament and establishment of democracy
• Reaction: The Weimar Republic was not well accepted by its own people

Treaty of Versailles

• Harsh Peace Treaty: Strict terms for Germany
• Provisions: Loss of colonies, population, and territories, loss of coal and iron mines, military restrictions
• War Guilt Clause: Holding Germany responsible for the First World War
• Reparations: Payment of 6 billion pounds

Impact of the First World War

• Social Impact: Destruction of European society, reputation of soldiers
• Political Impact: Rise of the Weimar Republic, conflict between Spartacists and Free Corps
• Economic Impact: Hyperinflation, American aid, and Wall Street Crash

Rise of Hitler

• Hitler’s Background: Born in Austria, participated in the First World War, joined the German Workers' Party
• Nazi Party: Renaming of the German Workers' Party by Hitler
• Great Depression: Nazism becoming a mass movement

Hitler’s Increase in Power

• 1932: Nazi Party becoming the largest party
• 1933: Proposal for Chancellorship, destruction of democracy
• Fire Decree and Enabling Act: Suspension of civil rights, establishment of dictatorship
• Special Surveillance and Security Forces: Suppressing society

Reconstruction

• Economic Reforms: Full employment program by Hjalmar Schacht
• Foreign Policy: Withdrawal from the League of Nations, re-occupation of the Rhineland, unification of Austria
• War Planning: Invasion of Poland, start of the Second World War

Nazi Worldview

• Racial Hierarchy: Nordic German Aryans at the top, Jews at the bottom
• Lebensraum: Acquisition of new territories
• Establishment of a Racial State: Elimination of undesirables
• Holocaust: Genocide

Nazi Youth

• Youth Organizations: Jungvolk, Hitler Youth
• Education: Nazi schooling

Nazi Motherhood

• Role of Women: Training as good mothers, maintaining racial purity

The Art of Propaganda

• Use of Media: Spread of Nazi ideology
• Deceptive Vocabulary: Special terms for killings

Ordinary People

• Reaction: Nazi supporters, active resistors, passive spectators
• Holocaust: Documentation of genocide

Conclusion

• Authors: Descriptions of Holocaust experiences through Anne Frank's diary etc.
• End: Hitler's end, decline of Nazi ideology