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Account #2: Hitler's Rise Through Holocaust Perspective
As many accounts of Hitler's life focus on, this article from the World Holocaust Remembrance Center describes Hitler's rise to power through the lens of Holocaust implications. Instead of focusing on political ambitions, his early life is connected to his involvement in one of the deadliest programs of mass genocide the world has ever seen.
Rise of the Nazis and Beginning of Persecution -
Account #1: Hitler's Rise in Political Manners
In this account, Encyclopedia Britannica focuses on the individual actions of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party throughout its early years. This source, focusing on his political aspirations, showcases how Hitler was able to manipulate his way from an unknown, insignificant soldier into the leader of one of the most evil regimes in human history by simply working through German politics.
Rise To Power of Adolf Hitler -
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Rise of Nazism
After feelings of betrayal and failure took over his life, Adolf Hitler wanted to join a cause to restore Germany to its "former glory." In 1919, he joined the German Workers' Party, which eventually grew into the Nazi Party. As many in Germany resented how the war ended and the terms of the treaty, the group's support grew heavily over a short period, until the party's efforts were dampened by the events of the Beer Hall Putsch. -
Treaty of Versailles
After Germany surrendered in late 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was drafted to conclude the fighting between Germany and the Allied Powers. In this document, it is described how Germany must take blame for the conflict and pay reparations to other nations involved, initiating feelings of resentment in the German people towards the other nations involved, including Adolf Hitler
Treaty of Versailles -
Excerpts from “The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920”
Despite being overwhelmingly supported, there were still those who did not agree with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. In this document, economist John Maynard Keynes provides insight into an opposing view, explaining how these terms would mostly impact the lives of the common people, who were innocently thrust into a global conflict by their arrogant leaders.
“The Economic Consequences of the Peace, 1920” -
Beer Hall Putsch
After gaining a significant following in the Bavarian region, Hitler and other leaders of the Nazi Party began a revolt to overtake the region's leadership that climaxed in a violent incident at a Munich beer hall that left several dead and Hitler arrested. After this failure, Hitler understood that he needed to use the political system to obtain power, not violence. -
Excerpts from "Mein Kampf"
During his time imprisoned after the Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler began to write his manifesto. Through his words, he showcases his anti-Semitic and racist views that would be present throughout World War II. Notably, he also showcases his desire for global revenge after the "Big Lie" of Germany's defeat in World War I, insinuating his plans for global domination in the coming years.
Adolf Hitler: Excerpts from Mein Kampf -
Reconciling International Relations
After the Treaty of Versailles, political tensions ran high in Europe. In an attempt to reconcile relations with Germany, Charles Dawes initiated the idea of payment plans for reparations and removal of French troops from the Ruhr. The "Dawes Plan" was viewed as a diplomatic success, but it was still not enough to reconcile with extremist groups, such as the Nazis. -
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Support for Fascist Leaders
After economic troubles damaged life for many Germans, any leader or idea that would provide hope for the future would be welcomed. Adolf Hitler capitalized on these individuals, promoting ideas of restoring Germany to its political heights before World War I. Through his charismatic speeches, Hitler and the Nazis began to gain support across Germany, resulting in the party's poltical power rising year by year. -
Economic disaster strikes
After the New York Stock Exchange crashed, the early stages of the Great Depression began. The Depression quickly became a global phenomenon, impacting all across the world. In Germany, inflation rates rose dramatically and the people suffered tremendously. Using their despair, Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party began to campaign their plans for a "revival" of Germany on the notion that their efforts would directly support the common people in their struggles. -
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Hitler Begins Expansion
After rising to Chancellor of Germany, Hitler now has the authority to being implementing his plans for territorial conquest in Europe. Over the coming years, he would begin to slowly take various areas around Germany that contained ethnic Germans, including the Rhineland, Sudetenland, and Poland. -
Hitler named Chancellor
After years of influencing the political atmosphere in Germany, Adolf Hitler was officially appointed Chancellor of Germany. After this was made official, Hitler began to put his plans for world domination into place. -
Re-occupation of the Rhineland begins
After claiming that the area belonged to Germany, Hitler showed his true intentions as leader and sent troops in the Rhineland to control the area. His actions, disapproved by rival nations, were left unpunished through the idea that he would not continue to expand past this area. However, they were wrong. -
"Anschluss"
Claiming that Austria contained many German-born people that were taken away in the Treaty of Versailles, Hitler began an invasion of the area after their leader, Kurt von Schissnigg, refused to accept annexation. As a result, Hitler forcibly took the area and claimed it to be rightful land of Germany. -
Munich Agreement
After watching Hitler's territorial actions continue to expand, Britain and France recognized the need to confront the dictator on his actions. Meeting with British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain in Munich, Hitler agreed that his annexation of the Sudetenland in Czechoslovakia would be his final territorial conquest. For other nations, it seemed that world conflict had been avoided. For Hitler, this lie was simply one part of his plan. -
Invasion of Poland
The final straw for other nations, the Invasion of Poland was the official spark that led to World War II. Months after claiming that his actions in the Sudetenland would be his final territorial conquest, Hitler went on the invade Czechoslovakia and Poland. After breaking his word in the Munich Agreement, Britain and France had no choice but to declare war on Germany, initiating the beginning of World War II.