WWII+Hitler+Page+KYAP

The Mastermind of World War II   ** Research and identify points on Hitler’s early life: family, education, careers, military, and any influences. **  The infamous and easily recognized dictator, Adolf Hitler, grew up having a life similar to many others. He was born on April 20th, 1889 in Braunau, a small town in Austria, close to the border of Germany. His parents, Klara and Alois, had high hopes for Hitler and were keen to see him succeed. Being in primary school, Hitler excelled and was in the forefront of popularity among his peers. Upon entering secondary school, he noticed the greater competition and decided to give up from not being on the top of his class. Hitler left secondary school in 1905 without a graduation certificate. This action made his father criticize and lose admiration for Adolf as a student. Moreover, Hitler's main interest was art. Indeed, his ambition was to become an artist, but his drawings lacked passion. Nonetheless, from 1907 to 1913, he made a living from painting advertisements and postcards. Subsequently, in 1914 Hitler was recalled to Austria to take an examination for military service. He was rejected from being frail and underweight. During World War I, Hitler excitedly enlisted in the 16th Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment. This finally gave Hitler a sense of worth and began the journey of making a difference in his nation.

** Research the end of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles that ended the war. What problems did this cause for Germany? Why do historians indicate the ending of WWI was a direct result or cause of WWII? **  The collapse of Germany, in World War I, had begun with Austria-Hungary surrendering to the Allies. Shortly after, groups of soldiers and workers started to establish revolutionary councils. In addition, German sailors mutinied against the government. Therefore, the Kaiser gave up the throne. Having no Allied countries, Germany admitted they were too exhausted to keep fighting and finally sighed the armistice, which ended the war. With Germany's defeat in World War I, they felt more humiliated than ever. The war was their chance to take control and become the nation they longingly desired to be. The Treaty of Versailles created by America, Italy, France and Britain disrespected Germany immensely. It displayed a war-guilt clause that blamed Germany for the entire war. They experienced additional rage when they were ordered to pay $33 billion in reparations. In addition, the war left the Germans with little to no allies. They were surrounded by a majority of territories that despised them. The war left Germany with hardly any positive impacts, despite enemy nations being somewhat frightened by their powerful military. World War I sparked Germany's need for revenge due to the lack of respect and humiliation they have received and made it their mission to succeed in the next World War.

** Research the rise of Hitler and Nazis in post-WWI Germany. **  The Nazi Party was never meant to become the legal government of Germany. It started out with a group of soldiers in 1919. Hitler quickly became the main leader of the Nazis, with his brilliant and motivational speeches. The swastika became a well recognized symbol from the Party and raised membership to 15,000. In 1923, they began to organize and construct an army to attack opponents. With Hitler’s revolt, the Beer Hall Putsch, he tried to overthrow the republic. As result, the Nazi Party was no longer legal and Hitler was sentenced to jail. When he was released, he convinced the government to allow the Nazi Party to continue. In 1930, the Nazi Party polled 6 and a half million votes in the German election. With Nazis becoming the largest party in the German government, Hitler was on his way to power. He became dictator a year and a half after becoming Chancellor. Hitler and the Nazis played a huge role in the involvement on World War II.

** Research how Hitler becomes Chancellor of Germany and then how he becomes dictator. **  Hitler became popular due to his bold leadership skills during his membership of the Nazi Party. He invested many hours in trying to perfect his public speaking skills, in order to develop the ability of taking control of the listener's mind and to sway their opinions. He was also known for his private army, the //storm troopers//. Subsequently, Hitler's involvement in several groups and having the Nazis become the strongest political party in Germany made him very well known. In 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor and begun taking action to sculpt Germany into the nation he thought they had potential to become. Hitler's vicious view of expansion and vengeance appealed to most Germans, after the defeat of World War I. This, along with Hitler's talent of persuasion and propaganda, made the public believe that he was their last hope. The crippling economy and Hitler's readiness to act made him easily turn into a dictator.

** The Gestapo ** The Gestapo was the brutal police force of Nazi Germany. They were responsible to eliminate those who expressed oppression towards the government. Indeed, the Gestapo had to suppress resistance and played a huge role in the deportation of Jews going into concentration camps. In addition, the German police force kept Hitler's Youth running smoothly if there were any issues. The Gestapo dealt with most situations very harshly and was looked upon as superior to the public, because they were able to do so. ** Hitler Youth ** Hitler Youth focus primarily on brainwashing children into a certain way of thinking. The organization included young boys and girls from ages 10 to 18. For boys, their task was to prepare them for the military. In contrast, the girls were learning about motherhood. Hitler targeted the youth of the nation, for he understood that they would be the future leaders. ** Book Burning ** Book burning was a tactic Hitler used in order to keep the German people focused on their destiny, rather than the criticism they were receiving throughout the world. Soldiers, the Gestapo, Hitler Youth members and many others gathered to joyously burn several books that did not support Germany. This type of censorship allowed Hitler to fully take control of his country. ** Anti-Semitism ** Anti-Semitism is considered to be a hatred or discrimination towards Jews. The Holocaust demonstrated a clear act of anti-Semitism, with the deaths of millions of Jews. The reason Hitler portrayed a strong bitterness towards them, is due to the fact that he believed they were the reason they lost World War I. This discrimination was directly involved with Hitler and his beliefs. ** Euthanasia Program ** Euthanasia which originally meant, “good death,” was used by Germans to take on a whole new meaning. These murder programs were used on those who were mentally ill or physically disabled. Hitler believed that his nation should be restored and cleansed to the highest degree. To him, these people were, “life unworthy of life.”

** Primary Sources ** “Make the lie big, make it simple, keep saying it, and eventually they will believe it” Hitler's lying statics, along with his talented public speaking ability made the nation easily open to manipulation. He was entirely aware that the words he spoke were immediately believed, for he was a mastermind of persuasion.

The countless bodies displayed in the image were tossed aside and stacked upon one another as a result of World War II. This presented Germans having no respect for human life. Works Cited Axelrod, Alan, and Charles Phillips. "Hitler, Adolf." Dictators and Tyrants: Absolute Rulers and Would-Be Rulers in World History.New York: Facts On File, Inc., 1995. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE52&iPin=lbio0087&SingleRecord=True. 17 Sept. 2011.

Axelrod, Alan. "Hitler, Adolf." Encyclopedia of World War II, Volume I.New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2007. Modern World History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE53&iPin=WWII0291&SingleRecord=True. 17 Sept. 2011.

Biesinger, Joseph A. "Hitler, Adolf."Germany: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present, European Nations.New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Modern World History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE53&iPin=GER0351&SingleRecord=True. 17 Sept. 2011.

Darby, Graham. "Hitler's Ride andWeimar's Demise." Ebscohost. Copyright, 2011. Web. . 17 Sept. 2011.

Horvitz, Leslie Alan, and Christopher Catherwood. "Hitler, Adolf." Encyclopedia of War Crimes and Genocide.New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2006. Modern World History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?ItemID=WE53&iPin=EWCG234&SingleRecord=True. 17 Sept. 2011.

Mishra, Patit Paban. "Hitler, Adolf." In Ackermann, Marsha E., Michael Schroeder, Janice J. Terry, Jiu-Hwa Lo Upshur, and Mark F. Whitters, eds. Encyclopedia of World History: Crisis and Achievement, 1900 to 1950, vol. 5.New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2008. Modern World History Online. Facts On File, Inc. http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp? ItemID=WE53&iPin=WHV109&SingleRecord=True. 17 Sept. 2011.

Yehuda, Bauer. "Holocaust." Daily Life through History. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. http://dailylife.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/1427128?terms=hitler. 17 Sept. 2011.