Overview
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician who led the National Socialist German
Workers’ Party, more commonly known as the Nazi Party. He was Chancellor of Germany
(1933–45) and Führer of Germany (1934–45). To understand how the Nazi Party gained power, we must understand the social, political and economic context of Germany after the
First World War. Politically, Germany was humiliated by its loss of the war and the subsequent
Treaty of Versailles. Economically, the devastation from the war and the heavy taxation repayments demanded by the treaty were exacerbated by the massive inflation of the Great
Depression. Germany and its people lacked a sense of hope. The new Weimar Republic, led by Kaiser Wilhelm, struggled to restore Germany to its former glory. It was in this context that the minor Nazi Party gained influence and became a major political force by the early 1930s.
This chapter outlines how Adolf Hitler went from lying in a hospital bed in 1918 to becoming the Chancellor of Germany in 1933.
Politics – What was the impact of the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles?
Oratory – What was the effect of Hitler’s public speaking skills?
Workers – What were the Nazi Party policies?
Economics – How did the problems of inflation and unemployment advantage the
Nazi Party? s Recruited – How did Hitler gain promotion to the position of Chancellor?
Key websites www.historylearningsite.co.uk/treaty_of_versailles.htm – discusses which conditions of the
Treaty of Versailles were enforced and which were not
Key events
1918
The First World War ends
1919
Germany signs the Treaty of Versailles
1923
Hitler’s failed Munich Beer Hall Putsch
1925
Hitler writes Mein Kampf and is released from prison
1928
Election
1929
Great Depression begins worldwide
1932
Elections
1933
Hitler appointed Chancellor by President Hindenburg
HITLER’S STORY
This is an engaging chapter focusing on interesting social aspects of Hitler’s life, from his Austrian birth to his suicide in the Berlin bunker. It explores varied topics such as his childhood, teenage years, artistic skills, First World War injuries, Munich putsch and imprisonment, love life, leadership and death!
P FOR POLITICS
The end of the First
World War, 1918
P
R
Recruited
Politics
Image 0101 to come
O
Oratory
It is estimated that 8.5 million people were killed during the First World War and 21 million were wounded. Germany lost two million soldiers. Given the
E Economics
W Workers fervour of his patriotism, Adolf Hitler was devastated when he heard the news of
How Hitler rose to power
