Adolf Hitler Monday November 17 th 2014 Adolf

Adolf Hitler Monday, November 17 th, 2014

Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler (April 20, 1889 – April th 30 , 1945) • Born in Branau am Inn, AUSTRIA • Bad relationship with his father, and after his death in 1903, Hitler dropped out of high school • Moved to Vienna & applied to the Academy of fine arts • Rejected twice 1907 & 1908 because he was “unfit for painting” • His mother died in 1907, and he ran out of $ homeless • He moved to Munich, Germany volunteered for the Bavarian Army in WW 1

Hitler’s Time in the Army • He served as a dispatch runner on the Western Front in France & Belgium • Present during: Battle of Ypres, Battle of the Somme, Battle of Arras, Battle of Passchendaele • Wounded in the battle of the Somme • received medal for bravery: the Iron Cross 2 nd in 1914, Iron Cross First Class 1918, Black Wound Badge for frostbite in 1918. • He was in the hospital when he heard about Germany’s defeat

Hitler & Politics • Patriotic towards Germany, believed Germany was undefeated in the field & instead the home front lost the war • “Humiliated” with the Treaty of Versailles • German Worker’s Party member • GWP became the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei : National Socialist German Workers Party Nazi‘s. • Gained popularity as a speaker in beer halls between 1919 - 1923 • Views: Nationalist, denounced Treaty of Versailles, opponents, & jews.

Jail Time & “Mein Kampf” • 1923: Hitler attempted a coup on the German government, called “The Beer Hall Putsch” failed attempt • He was sent to jail for TREASON (5 years, but only served just over 1 year) • In jail, he wrote “Mein Kampf” (My struggles) -autobiography detailing his political ideologies & plans for Germany • He was released from prison & returned to the Nazi’s to continue His politics •

Rise of Nazi Germany • Treaty of Versailles • Stock Market Crash, 1929 Germany was in rough shape • The Nazi party seemed promising: • Hitler had a reputation & was a captivating speaker • Germany was weak from the T of V & the Depression • Nazi Party promised to reject the Versailles Treaty, strengthen the economy, and provide jobs • Hitler promised party would pursue political power solely through democratic elections….

Hitler’s Rise • Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933 by President Hindenburg • After a fire in the Reichstag (parliament building), Hitler convinced the President to pass a law which suspended basic rights and allowed detention without trial 4, 000 or more German Communists were arrested… • Enabling Act passed through continued Communist Party banning and dirty play • The Enabling Act passed…. turning the Nazis into a legal dictatorship

Hitler’s Secured Position • In order to maintain his position and power, Hitler used forced and intimidation • Opposing parties were intimidated violently into disbanding • Or, they were arrested and placed in concentration camps • 14 July 1933 The Nazis are the only political party in Germany • Fuhrer: President Hindenburg died in 1934, Hitler was able to assumed the Head of State position : he merged presidency with chancellorship, & became head of the army