WWWII+Hitler+Page+SCHR

__**The Beginnings of the Nazi Party Under Adolf Hitler**__

//Adolf Hitler's childhood//

Adolf Hitler was born on April 20,1889. Being one of six children, only he and his sister Paula would survive to adulthood. His father Alois, a customs official, was extremely violent toward his wife, Klara and his son Adolf. He would beat them quite often. According to Hitler's book, Mein Kampf, "he had a terrible childhood." Adolf became extremely bitter towards his father and revolted against him by dropping out of high school without a diploma. Hitler enrolled in art school, but after a brief stay, he found it unfulfilling. He then enlisted in the Military, but was rejected. During his failures, Hitler began looking to outside influences. One of them being Karl Loeger. Karl Loeger was an Australian politician known for his anti-Jewish propaganda. Hitler regarded him as being brilliant and inspired many of Hitler's public speeches.

//Treaty that ended the war//

In the aftermath of World War I, the political, cultural and social order was severely changed. New countries were formed, old ones were abolished and international organizations were established. The Treaty of Versailles was one of the peace treaties that ended WWI. It ended the conflict between Germany and the Allied Powers. One of the most important and controversial aspects of the treaty required Germany to accept responsibility for causing the war. Under the terms of this treaty, Germany was to dis-arm, make substantial territorial concessions and pay large reparations to certain countries. Conditions in the treaty were so severe on Germany that the German Chancellor resigned rather then sign it. This created the groundwork for the eventual rise of the Nazi's in Germany and the eruption of WWII.

//Rise of Hitler//

Life for the German people became very difficult after WWI and the Treaty of Versailles. Germany was unable to pay its war reparations to England and France. The result was a severe depression in Germany. German money became close to worthless. The German people were angry with the Treaty of Versailles. They felt the terms were extremely unfair. Many Germans believed a strong leader could return their nation back to its former greatness. As a young politician, Adolf Hitler suggested that there were easy solutions to the complex problems that Germans faced in the 1920's. Hitler spoke in a charismatic style that impressed the German people. He blamed outsiders for causing the problems in Gerrmany. He argued that if pure Germans known as "Aryans" were in control of Germany, it would return to it's former greatness. Hitler placed the blame for many of Germany's problems on the Jews. By 1933, Hitler and the Nazi party controlled Germany. He became a dictator and a leader with control.

//Becoming Chancellor//

Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933. As Chancellor, Hitler began accumulating power and changing the nation. After 2 months in office, he created the Enabling Act. This act gave the Chancellor full legislative power for 4 years. Hitler also used the Enabling Act to merge the Office of Chancellor with that of the President to create a new office called, the Fuhrer, or dictator. This act virtually assured that Hitler could exercise his powers without any legal objection.

Hitler's control over the German people was through his inspiring rallies. He influenced many people from his speeches at these rallies. Many of these rallies were held in the Reich Party Congress Grounds which was in Nuremberg, Germany.
 * Rallies:**

The Nazi SS was a "protective squadron" under Adolf Hitler and the Nazi party. The SS was responsible for many of the crimes against humanity done by the Nazis during WWII.
 * The SS:**

The Gestapo was the "Secret State Police" of the Nazi party. They served to protect the political power of the Nazi party. Gestapo eventually was larger than the law. Someone could be accused and arrested without proper legal verification.
 * Gestapo:**

The racial policy of Nazi Germany was largely anti-Semitic. It targeted the Jewish people in Germany. Anti-semetism caused problems for Hitler when he was trying to increase his power in Germany.
 * Anti- Semetism:**

In 1933 storm troopers gathered books and burned them in bonfires while singing Nazi anthems. Nazi book burnings were conducted by Nazi Germany to destroy all books in Germany that did not correspond with Nazi ideology. All books that did not meet the requirements that Hitler wanted were immediately burned with no hesitation.
 * Book Burnings**:


 * Primary Sources:**

Adolf Hitler became dictator of Germany and spoke in front of many rallies of people. Hitler was in charge of the Nazi party and all of the discrimination toward Jews. His strong and powerful speeches about the racial discriminaton then led to the outbreak of World War II.

The Germans in Warsaw: Hitler sent his troops to go attack Poland and to take control of Poland's RAF. Later after the attack on Poland, France and Spain came together to plan an attack against Hitler in Germany.


 * Work Cited:**

Charles Phillips. "Hitler, Adolf." //Dictators and Tyrants: Absolute Rulers and Would-Be Rulers in World History//. September 18, 2011. 

Hastedt, Glenn. "Treaty of Versailles." //Encyclopedia of American Foreign Policy//. September 18, 2011. 