The Rise of Adolf Hitler and the Beginning of World War II

1. The Rise of Adolf Hitler and the Beginning of World War II Time Magazine’s “Man of the Year” in 1938

2. Adolf Hitler • Born on April 20, 1889 in Austria • Attended a Catholic monastery school where he was a member of their choir • Considered becoming a priest • Wanted to become an artist,but his father made him followin his footsteps • During high school, Adolf becamea German nationalist

3. Adolf Hitler • His father died when Adolf was 13, and he became the head of his family’s household and dropped out of high school • Five years later, Adolf’s dreams were fulfilled and he took the entrance exam to Vienna’s Academy of Fine Arts • Told that his drawings lacked the talent of artistic painting, he was rejected

8. Adolf Hitler • Hitler the unemployed slacker tried again to attend Vienna’s Academy of Fine Art, but his test drawings were considered so bad that he wasn’t even allowed to take the exam • Hitler became homeless in 1909 • Made a modest living by selling his paintings in Jewish shops • Living in a town with an anti-Semitic leader, Adolf began to read anti-Semitic literature and quickly began to despise Jewish people

9. Anti-Semitism: An intense dislike and prejudice against the Jewish people Becoming increasingly interested in politics, Hitler joined the German army Fought in World War I Was said to have shown “outstanding bravery in the face of the enemy” Germany lost WWI in 1918 Adolf Hitler

10. Anti-Semitism? • Why was Anti-Semitism popular for hundreds of years: • Jews were blamed for killing Christ • Kicked out of the majority of European countries • Were forced to live in poverty

11. Along with many Germans, Hitler believed that Germany could have won WWI They were “betrayed” from within by the Jewish Germany becomes a democracy Limited to 100,000 soldiers Germany after WWI

12. Hitler joined The German Worker’s Party Strong nationalist, pro military, anti-Semitic party Hitler became the “voice” of the party because of his strong ability to speak In 1920, Hitler chose the swastika to represent the political party Party name is called “Nazi” for short The German Worker’s Party

13. Hitler threatens to leave the party unless they make him the dictator of the party Dictator: A person with complete authority Became “Fuhrer” a.k.a “leader” Hitler becomes Nazi Leader

14. Germany forced to pay for damages caused in World War I Hyperinflation: The extreme loss in value of money For every American dollar, one would have to have 4 billion German marks The German Depression

15. In 1923, the Nazi Party, led by Hitler, attempted to overthrow the German government FAILURE! Hitler was charged with five years in prison While in prison, Hitler wrote “Mein Kampf” Speaks of Hitler’s political and racial views and outlines his plans for a better Germany Nazi Revolution

16. October 29, 1929 the American stock market crashed Caused Germany to slip into a greater depression Utilizing Hitler’s outstanding speeches, the Nazi Party campaigned throughout Germany and received 18% of the German government In 1932, Hitler runs for president against Hindenburg (who would have been 92 by the time his term was over) Hindenburg wins Democracy fails The German Depression Worsens

17. Solution • In attempt to recover the government and to avoid being overthrown, Hindenburg appointed Hitler the new chancellor of Germany • As chancellor (the 2nd highest position in Germany) Hitler quickly dissolved the democracy and declared himself dictator of Germany • First action: ban on Jewish products

18. Ban on Jewish Products “Don’t buy from Jews; shop in German businesses!”

19. Protecting Hitler • Birth of the Third Reichstag:“The Third Rule” • The S.S: “Schutz-Staffel” were Hitler’s body guards • Gestapo: Hitler’s secret police force that worked to uncover those plotting against Hitler • Hitler’s Youth: His attempt to raise young Germans into his followers

20. Hitler Youth “The weak must be chiseled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather and as hard as Krupp’s steel.” - Hitler “A twelve mile march was considered nothing special for boys who are trained until they can make a march of fifty miles without any food other than concentrated rations they carry in their packs. Nupp was recovering from a heavy cold but he was not excused from the hike. He had a severe relapse as a result… Later the doctor confided to me that often after one of these lengthy marches he had as many as thirty boys in the hospital.”

23. World Dictators • By 1930, dictators had seized control of Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Soviet Union • Germany: Adolf Hitler • Italy: Benito Mussolini • Japan: Emperor Hirohito (Greatly influenced by Prime Minister Tojo) • Soviet Union: Joseph Stalin • Fascism: An extreme form of patriotism that is often linked with racism

24. Dictators

25. Italy, Germany, and Japan (joined in 1940) 1937: Japan invaded China 1938: Britain and France attempted to appease Hitler by allowing him to take part of Czechoslovakia if he promised not to expand his territory anymore 1938: Germany conquered Austria and Czechoslovakia 1939: Germany and the Soviet Union vowed not to attack each other September 1, 1939: World War II began when Germany attacked Poland Great Britain and France declared war on Germany Total War: A war in which every available resource is utilized and every person is an acceptable target The Axis Powers and War

26. Blitzkrieg • Blitzkrieg: “Lightning War” was a new form of war which emphasized speed and surprise • Tanks, troops, and planes • No trenches!! (Except in the battle for Stalingrad) • Within a month, Germany controlled Poland • 1940: Germany conquered Denmark, Norway, Belgium, and the Netherlands before turning its eyes on France

27. Blitzkrieg

28. Blitzkrieg

29. Poland Australia United Kingdom (Great Britain) France New Zealand Canada Norway Belgium Netherlands Czechoslovakia Greece Soviet Union (joined in 1941) United States (joined in 1941) Etc… Etc… Do you get the point? The Allies By the end of the war, more than 50 countries were part of the Allies

30. France and Great Britain • Within two weeks of fighting, France surrendered • Who is left? • Great Britain • Bombing of London by the Luftwaffe (German air force) • Despite the bombings, Britain does not surrender

34. The battle of Stalingrad • 1941: Hitler backstabbed Stalin’s Soviet Union • The battle of Stalingrad (1942) • Capture meant cutting the Soviet Union’s supply route • Immediate success of German army • Stalin forces all civilians to remain within the city, resulting in thousands of deaths • German forces controlled 90% of the city

35. Battle of Stalingrad

38. The Battle of Stalingrad

41. The Battle of Stalingrad • Winter set in • Unprepared to fight in the severe winter weather, the German army was defeated • By the end of the battle, nearly 2 million casualties were inflicted on both sides • 1943:First Nazi defeat • The turning point in the war