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WW1 Treaty of Versailles (OPVL)
The Treaty ended WW1 and pushed very harsh reparations on Germany. This included heavy war debts, territorial loss, and military weakening. A key figure in this event is David Lloyd George (British Prime Minister) and Georges Clemenceau (French Premier) who helped draft the strict punishments for Germany. This led to a widespread economic struggle and several resentments. Hitler used the Treaties' unpopularity as a key talking point to promote his nationalist and anti-semitic views. -
Formation of the Nazi Party (NSDAP)
The National Socialist German Workers' Party was the new name of the German Workers' Party (DAP). Hitler joined this party and rose to leadership shortly after the rename. Key figures are Anton Drexler who founded the DAP and introduced Hitler to the party. Another is Alfred Rosenberg who influenced Hitler's views of anti-Semitism with racist theories. Overall this party helps us understand Hitler's early Ideological foundation. -
Munich Putsch
As an attempt to overthrow the Weimar Government, Hitler and his followers tried a coup in Munich, Bavaria. Benito Mossolinis 1922 March on Romer inspired Hitler to attempt this. He got the support of many conservative leaders like Erich Ludendorff, however, the coup was supported and planned which caused it to fail. This led to his trial, which gave him the media spectacle he later used to push his ideologies. -
The Dawes Plan (OPVL)
The Dawes Plan aimed to stabilize the German economy by receiving loans from the U.S. While it temporarily stabilized the economy, it created dependency and later hyperinflation. Hitler used this to exacerbate the weakness of the Weimar Republic. The economic dependency and political instability gave Nazis traction with the population. Hitler used this crisis assisted by the Dawes plan as a time to gain support for extreme views, often promising that he was the only way Germany could be saved. -
Hitler's Trial and Imprisonment
After Hiter's failed attempt to start a coup in Munich, he was arrested for treason and put on trial. He was sentenced to five years in prison but only served nine months because of the more lenient rules set by the court. Hitler turned his trial into a propaganda opportunity. With the speeches he made during his trial, and the writings he released from prison, he gained national attention. With this, he spread his ideological vision for Germany. -
Mein Kampf Published (OPVL)
While serving in prison, Hitler started writing "Mein Kampf" (My Struggle). His book expanded and outlined his antisemitic, racist, and nationalist views. He also lists many plans for the future of Germany, including the supremacy of the Aryan race. The book inspired generations of Nazis and was a foundation for Nazi Ideology. The book mainly grew interest once Hitler rose to power, and his ideas became shaped into Nazi Regime policies. (race laws, territorial expansion, etc.) -
The Great Depression
The Great Depression caused a crisis state in Germany. The fragility of the Weimar Republic, and the harsh reparations imposed after WW1 led Germany to skyrocket in unemployment rates, poverty, and hyperinflation. Many Germans lost faith in the avoidant Weimar Republic, leaving them more receptive to extremist ideologies and solutions. The Nazis, in particular, capitalized on the crisis by promising extreme solutions of a restored economy, national pride, and rejection of the ToV. -
The Reichstag Fire
The Reichstag building in Berlin was set on fire and blamed on Marinus van der Lubbe, however, many historians believe that the Nazis planned this event or exploited it for political gain. Hitler used this event to push the Reichstag Fire Decree which suspended civil liberties and allowed political opponents like communists to be arrested. Moreso, eliminating opposing left-wing parties and intensifying propaganda set the stage for the Nazi regime's authoritarian control over Germany. -
Hitler Runs for President
Hitler ran for president against Paul von Hindenburg who had been in power for the past 7 years. Hitler did not win the presidency, however, it did help his rise to power. He gained over 30% of the vote which proved the Nazi party was highly supported. His presidential campaign showed that his ideas resonated deeply with a large part of Germany. Franz Von Papen was a former chancellor who played a key role in Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in 1933. -
Hitler Appointed Chancellor
President Paul von Hindenburg appointed Hitler as chancellor. Hitler and the Nazi party gained tremendous support and seats in the Reichstag, and Hindenburg felt that he could attempt to control Hitler with a coalition government. This marked the final step in the Nazi's plan to control the German government and eventually establish a totalitarian regime. In just a couple of months, Hitler turned Germany into a one-party state, leading to the fall of te Weimar Republic.