Where can you find info about nazism and the rise of Hitler for project?

Answer 1

At the library, book store & internet. Lots of information is out there.

Below is some information about Hitler, Nazis, and the origins of the Second World War in Europe in outline form from me, distilled from various sources:

The Great War: Germany on the verge of Victory?

Ø Now at the end of 1917, Germany has defeated Russia in an offensive campaign (aided by the collapse of the Russian government & communist revolution), after fighting on two fronts since 1914.

Ø Although the U.S. had entered the war in April 1917, American troops will not arrive in large numbers until mid-1918.

Ø German troops are quickly shifted from the eastern front to the western front (in France) in an attempt to defeat the French & British before the American troops can make a difference.

Ø The Germans leave their defensive positions and launch an all-out massive offensive in France.

Ø The German public, which has long supported the war & the Kaiser, is now led to believe that victory is imminent.

The Great War: Ends-unexplained & unexpected

Ø Unknown to the German public, the German Army's Spring Offensive succeeds only briefly and then the Germans are stopped.

Ø American troops in growing numbers enter combat for the first time in 1918, and help stop the German offensive. Suddenly the Germans are on the defensive again, but now in disadvantageous and vulnerable positions. Now the allies launch various counter-attacks.

Ø Meanwhile by 1918 in the Balkans, Germany's primary ally, the Austrian-Hungarians are collapsing under the attacks by Italy, Serbia & Romania.

Ø Simultaneously after a long struggle, the other German ally, Turkey is being thoroughly defeated by the British in Palestine, Jordan, & Syria.

Ø All these negative events remain unknown to the German public.

Ø Even the Allies (France, Britain, Italy, and the U.S.) in 1918, believed that the German Army in France would not be defeated until 1919, after American troop strength is scheduled to double.

Ø However in September and October of 1918, for the first time in the war, the German Army in France suffers major defeats with large breeches in the defensive lines. German collapse and defeat is at hand, and maybe only a few weeks away.

Ø In late October & early November 1918, there is political unrest in Germany and some mutiny among German naval units. Many of these are pro-Bolshevik (communist) uprisings.

Ø The Kaiser's government collapses as he seeks and receives political asylum in Holland on November 10, 1918.

Ø A new German civilian government (at the urging of Hindenburg & Ludendorff) suddenly requests and receives an armistice effectively ending the war on November 11, 1918.

The Great War: Truth & Consequences for Germany

Ø The sudden defeat is greeted with shock, disbelief and surprise by the German public. Its army is still in France, some within artillery range of Paris. Germany's borders have not been penetrated by the enemy, nor has any significant damage been done to any German territory, city or factory.

Ø The reasons for the defeat are never revealed or explained to the German people by the new German government. To the contrary, Army leaders (including Hindenburg & Ludendorff) knowingly and falsely blamed defeat on the Kaiser, the new republican government and the numerous political parties. They gave false testimony before a Reichstag Commission in 1919.

Ø The victorious Allies do not send occupation troops into Germany (only in the Rhineland are Allied troops temporarily there to enforce its new demilitarized status).

Ø Just prior to, and as the war ends there is isolated (yet very public) civil unrest led by German Bolsheviks.

Ø All this serves to convince the German people and many who served in the army, including Adolf Hitler, that the German Army was not defeated and had been "stabbed in the back" by 'domestic enemies' (Bolsheviks & Jewish Financiers).

Ø It also served to undermine the current democratic government and all the participating political parties. In Germany, this very powerful myth would endure for over thirty years, and would be one of the major reasons that many German people supported Hitler's aim to rebuild Germany's military and international prominence.

The Versailles Treaty-1919

Ø It was imposed on Germany by the victorious allies.

Ø Aimed at weakening Germany to prevent future military threats to France and Great Britain.

Ø Germany gives up territory in Africa, the Pacific & some in Europe.

Ø German military size limitations: Army 100,000 troops max, no tanks or heavy artillery; Navy allowed only 6 ships & no subs; No Air Force.

Ø Demilitarization of two German areas: Rhineland and the Baltic port of Danzig.

Ø Austria-Hungarybroken-up to allow for "National Self-Determination". 'Self-Determination' was a major aim of U.S. President Wilson.

Ø Reparationsimposed on Germany to pay for damages & losses to Allies. These would be in terms of money or goods. No final fixed amount was ever decided.

Ø Aimed to establish 'Collective Security' arrangements for Germany's neighbors.

Ø U.S. President Wilson offered a U.S. guarantee for the future security of France.

Ø The League of Nations was established. It was U.S. President Wilson's idea.

Ø War Guilt Clause: Germany is forced to accept the blame for the war.

Ø Not surprisingly, all Germans from all parties were united in their great resentment of this Treaty, especially over the War Guilt Clause. This would increase and prolong German resentment and animosity towards the victorious powers, especially France & Britain.

Ø In a shocking move, the United States Senate failed to ratify the Treaty.

The New Boundaries & Nations of Europe

Ø Germany loses territory in Europe and the rest of the world. East Prussia is separated from Germany by the 'Polish' or 'Danzig Corridor'.

Ø Austria-Hungary is broken into smaller nations.

Ø Poland is recreated between Germany & Russia.

Ø Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, Austria & Hungary are created out of the greater Austria-Hungary.

Ø Yugoslavia is created from the joining of Serbia with two provinces of the former Austria-Hungary.

Ø The Baltic States are created: Estonia, Latvia, & Lithuania. These were formerly within Russia and in East Prussia (Germany).

Ø Finland regains independence from Russia. Finland had been under Russian rule since 1809.

The New Bolshevik Russia: Soviet Union

Ø Communist power is consolidated within the borders. Millions are murdered.

Ø Communist parties are formed throughout the world.

Ø COMINTERN (Communists International) established to direct and organize the program to subvert, influence and/or undermine the domestic and foreign policies of other nations (in Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas). The COMINTERN also created & disseminated the "communist theology/theory" worldwide, such that communists across the globe held more uniform views, than socialists, or fascists.

Ø 1926-Stalin becomes the undisputed dictator.

Ø Military is rebuilt 1920s and 1930s. However several purges killed off experienced leaders and seriously decreased the Red Army's effectiveness.

Ø The Soviet Union was seen by all nations as an outcast and a threat in Europe & Asia, and the COMINTERN as a threat to all governments worldwide. Various geographic areas within the Soviet Union had populations that greatly resented the Russian dominated dictatorship and its oppression of various populations.

Ø The threat of both a revived Russia and of 'Bolshevism' was seen as an especially great threat to most Germans.

Ø Later, as Stalin viewed Germany as a threat, he would work to repair his international image, seek out alliances, and join the League of Nations.

The League of Nations

Ø 42 Founding member nations, other joined or left later.

Ø Dissolved in 1946 with 24 remaining members.

Ø A forum for talk, but with no real power or direct influence.

Ø The idea of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson.

Ø A method to come to an international 'consensus' on various issues, and a platform to influence public opinion.

Ø Intended to help nations gather international support against threatening powers, and as a way to encourage talking instead of fighting.

Ø In a shocking move, the United States Senate failed to ratify joining the League. There was a fear of entangling alliances, of the sort that lead to the Great War.

Ø Germany joined in 1926.

Rise of Fascism & Mussolini in Italy (1919-1939)

Ø Italy was one of the victorious powers but failed to get much benefit from the Treaty of Versailles.

Ø Communist activities grew in Italy.

Ø These things weakened the monarchy and the republican government of Italy. It made the nation more vulnerable to Mussolini's Fascist movement.

Ø October 27, 1922: Benito Mussolini is appointed Prime Minister by the King of Italy (forced by the "March on Rome")

Ø Mussolini's Italy becomes more militaristic and imperialistic. Mussolini has his eyes on the Balkans, North Africa, and East Africa.

Ø October 3, 1935: Mussolini attacks Ethiopia (also known as Abyssinia) ruled by Emperor Haile Selassie. Italians were accused of committing atrocities against the Ethiopians. This would cause great damage to Italy's foreign relations, to Mussolini personally, and to fascists in general. The Italians defeated Ethiopia by May 1936.

Ø 11 December 1937: Mussolini announces Italy's withdrawal from of the League of Nations. The League had condemned Italy & imposed ineffective sanctions in November 1935.

Ø April 7, 1939: Mussolini attacks Albania. Albania is defeated and occupied by Italy.

Worldwide Industrial & Economic Depression (1929-1932)

Ø U.S. Stock Market Crash of October 1929 very quickly lead to a general worldwide economic & industrial depression, as well as the failures of banks and the destabilization of the world's monetary systems.

Ø The United States and Germany were among the hardest hit nations. Unemployment in Germany 30%.

Ø The ill effects would generally increase daily and finally peak in 1932. The current U.S. and German governments appeared to be powerless to mitigate the widening problems and misery.

Ø In the United States, this lead to the 1932 election of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Ø In Germany, it led to the increased popularity of the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP in German; in English it is the National Socialist German Workers (Nazi) Party.

Ø The most affected nations never really recovered from the depression until they began to increase spending on war preparations.

Communism & Fascism (1917-1945): Common features

Ø Both are forms of Socialism.

Ø Policies of Nationalism & Acts of Imperialism.

Ø New moral standards, Social Darwinism ('natural order of things', 'survival of the fit or strong", "might makes right").

Ø Claim to be bottom-up 'movements', however they are actually top-down 'organizations'.

Ø Target a group(s) or segment(s) of the population for blame and eventual destruction.

Ø Social Justice (retaliation, retribution, revenge, etc.) is encouraged in the beginning stages, as a means to gain power.

Ø Propaganda, deception & later outright control of the media.

Ø Intimidation & violence directed at opponents.

Ø Belief in central planning & government control over the economy & human behavior.

Ø Elections & Constitution suspended by "national crisis".

Ø Unrestrained One Party rule.

Ø Loss of individual freedom.

Ø Opponents murdered & imprisoned.

Ø Authoritarian leadership evolving into Totalitarianism.

Ø All political & economic power goes to the party insiders.

Ø Party leader eventually becomes the national ruler and then an unquestioned 'god-like' persona.

Ø National economic activity & living standards are constrained over the long-term.

Communism & Fascism (1917-1945): Differences

Ø Capitalism is not allowed versus corrupted & redirected.

Ø Ownership of private property not allowed versus allowed.

Ø Religion is suppressed & replaced versus undermined.

Ø Global universal model & direction (from USSR) versus Specific national application.

Ø When not in power: undermine national entity (COMINTERN effect) versus promote national identity.

Ø Often emerge to replace an oppressive authoritarian ruler versus replacing a social democracy in chaos.

Ø Social Justice (retaliation, retribution, revenge, etc.) is discouraged versus encouraged in later stages.

Ø Class warfare vs. Racial/Ethnic warfare.

Ø Racism & Anti-Semitism is discouraged versus encouraged.

Hitler & Nazi's Rise to Power (1923-1933)

Ø Adolf Hitler is one of the key leaders of National Socialist German Workers (Nazi) Party, which is a Fascist para-military organization ('brown shirts'-storm troopers) that uses intimidation, violence & propaganda.

Ø 8-9 November 1923: 'Beer Hall Putsch' is the failed attempt to seize the Bavarian government in Munich. It was modeled after Mussolini's successful 'March on Rome' the previous year. Hitler & Ludendorff with hundreds of others march from a beer hall to the government offices, but are stopped by gunfire from the local German army unit assigned to protect the offices.

Ø Hitler & supporters are tried, convicted and go to Landsberg Prison (west of Munich) for only April-December 1924; it was easy time in dorm-like setting.

Ø 1924: Hitler dictates Mein Kampf (My Struggle) in prison. It lays out it his thoughts for Germany's future. It becomes a big seller after the start of the Great Depression (starting in late 1929).

Ø 20 May 1928: The Nazi Party gets only 3% of the vote in Reichstag (German parliament) elections.

Ø Late 1929: The Depression causes an increase in pro-Nazi support.

Ø 14 September 1930: The Nazi Party gets 18.3% of the vote.

Ø 31 July 1932: The Nazi Party gets 37.8% of the vote.

Ø 6 November 1932: The Nazi Party gets 30%+ of the vote.

Ø January 30, 1933: Hitler is appointed Chancellor by Reich President Hindenburg (Hitler had demanded this).

Hitler's Consolidates Power & Strengthens Germany (1933-1936)

Ø February 1933: Hitler asks Hindenburg to dissolve the Reichstag to allow for new elections.

Ø 27 February 1933: Arson attack on Reichstag building guts most of the inside. Found at the scene is a communist Marinus Van der Lubbe. It is not clear if he acted alone, or if he was placed there after Nazi's set the fire. In any case, this spectacular event is blamed on communists and several are arrested & tried. Van der Lubbe was executed after later being found guilty.

Ø The day after the fire Hitler asked for and received from President Hindenburg the Reichstag Fire Decree, signed into law by Hindenburg using Article 48 of the Weimar Constitution. This suspended most civil liberties in Germany and was used to ban publications not considered "friendly" to the Nazi cause.

Ø Hitler, after having obtained his emergency powers, announced that it was the start of a Communist plot to take over Germany. This sent the Germans into a panic and isolated the communists further; additionally, thousands of communists were imprisoned in the days following the fire (including leaders of the Communist Party of Germany). With Communist electoral participation also suppressed (the Communists had previously polled 17% of the vote), the Nazis were able to increase their share of the vote in the March 5, 1933.

Ø 5 March 1933: The Nazi Party gets only 43.9% of the vote in Reichstag elections. The Nazi's had gone to great efforts to terrorize all other major political parties before the election. Some political opponents fled to Czechoslovakia.

Ø 23 March 1933: Hindenburg signs the "Enabling Act" that grants Hitler virtual dictatorial powers immediately.

Ø April 1933: Law enacted banning Jews from holding government positions.

Ø July 1933: Law enacted banning all political parties except the Nazi Party.

Ø 14 October 1933: Germany withdraws out of the Conference for the Reduction and Limitation of Armaments, also known as the World Disarmament Conference.

Ø 21 October 1933: Germany announces its withdrawal from the League of Nations (effective in 2 years).

Ø 30 June-2 July 1934: Night of the Long Knives was a series of political murders by Hitler's new Schutzstaffel (SS) and the Gestapo (Geheime Staatspolizei) carried out against various political rivals in/out of the Nazi Party. This included many members Sturmabteilung (SA), the paramilitary brown-shirt thugs of the Nazi Party. This satisfied Hindenburg and the German Army, and calmed those Germans that worried that the SA was becoming too reckless & dangerous.

Ø 2 August 1934: Hindenburg dies and Hitler assumes the position of Reich President and the head of the German military.

Ø 1934: Signs Non-Aggression Pact with Poland.

Ø 13 January 1935: Plebiscite held in the Saar Territory determines that the territory should be united with Germany (rather than with France). Germany begins administration of the Saar Territory on March 1st.

Ø 1935: Nurnberg Laws enacted that stripped German Jews of most legal protections & civil rights.

Ø 1935: Announces the building of the Air Force (Luftwaffe).

Ø 1935: Announces conscription and building of an army to 500,000.

Ø 1935: Signs Naval Agreement with Great Britain.

Ø 6-16 February 1936: Winter Olympics held at Garmisch-Partenkirchen in Bavaria, Germany. Tops in total medals: Norway 15, Sweden 7, Germany 6, Finland 6, USA 4 & Austria 4.

Ø 7 March 1936: Hitler denounces the Treaties of Locarno & sends German troops to occupy the Rhineland.

Ø 1-16 August 1936: Berlin Summer Olympics-Are a great success for Hitler & Germany. Hitler showcased Germany's 'Aryan' racial supremacy and excluded Jewish athletes from the German team. Germany's athletes won 89 medals compared to 56 for USA & 22 for Italy.

Ø Hitler begins rewarding loyalty from German military leaders with confiscated properties and cash. This is a successful methodology he will use for the next decade to control the German military's leadership.

The Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

Ø Francisco Franco led other military officers (the Nationalists) in a revolt against the Spanish Republican government from July 1936 to March 1939.

Ø Because Franco was generally considered a 'fascist', he received monetary, arms, and military support from Mussolini, and then Hitler.

Ø The German military organization setup to support Franco was called the "Condor Legion".

Ø The 'Republicans' received support from all those opposed to Fascism (and Mussolini & Hitler). This support came from an odd collection of foreign mercenaries; many were communists and most were idealistic and traditionally minded supporters of democracy or parliamentary rule. The Soviet Union sent military equipment, however most Western powers remained neutral.

Ø The world press watched in horror as Franco's air forces (including German & Italian military units) inflicted large casualties on the civilians in the war zone.

Ø German and Italian military (mostly Air Force) personnel would gain valuable first-hand combat experience in Spain. They would return home as heroes, with elaborate ceremony.

Ø Franco's 'Nationalists' would eventually defeat the 'Republicans' at the end of March 1939.

Hitler's Vision

Ø 1924: Hitler dictates Mein Kampf (My Struggle) in prison. It lays out it his thoughts for Germany's future.

Ø Summer 1928-Hitler dictates his second book (unnamed) that outlines his long-term geo-political goals for Germany and the coming of war. Hitler decides to seal the 300 page manuscript in a publisher's safe, and not to publish it at that time. The manuscript remained unread until 1958.

Ø Germany must be removed from the constraints of the Versailles Treaty, and be allowed to rearm.

Ø The attainment of Racial Purity (strong genes) is the key to the long-term survival of Germany.

Ø Germany must grow, and this will lead to conflict. This is the natural order of things (Social-Darwinism). War is inevitable, if Germany is to prosper.

Ø Germany needs "Lebensraum" (living space) for German people and farming in the eastern areas of Europe. This was first explained by Hitler in secret meetings with military & foreign policy staff on November 5, 1937, with a target timeframe of 1943-1945.

Ø This will require the "removal" of the entire existing Pole/Slavic population stretching east from the eastern boundaries of Germany out towards the Ural Mountains and the Black Sea.

Ø Germany needs to become economically and especially agriculturally self-sufficient.

Ø Germany must pursue a program to eliminate Jews and Bolsheviks.

Hitler's Actions (1937-1939)

Ø 1937: Signs Anti-COMINTERN pact with Mussolini (Italy).

Ø November 1937: In Hitler's secret meeting with top foreign policy and military leaders: He outlines plans to prepare for war with Poland, and then the likely war with France.

Ø 12 March 1938: Austria incorporated into the Third Reich (a.k.a. The Anschluss).

Ø September 30, 1938: Munich Conference/Munich Agreement: British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain and French leaders publically appeased Hitler. They allowed Germany to annex the Sudetenland the western-most region of Czechoslovakia and incorporate it into the Reich "for the sake of peace." In exchange for this, Hitler gave his word that Germany would make no further territorial claims in Europe.

Ø 1 October 1938: German troops occupy the Sudetenland (western Czechoslovakia).

Ø 10 November 1938: Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass). Nazi sponsored violence directed at German Jews.

Ø March 1939: Hitler breaks his Munich Agreement when German troops occupy the remainder of Czechoslovakia.

Ø 22 May 1939: Germany & Italy sign the Military Alliance, that formally established "The Axis" as the US & British often referred to this alliance. Benito Mussolini called it the "Pact of Steel".

Ø March-August 1939: Germany applies pressure on Poland to give-up the Danzig corridor.

Stalin & Hitler Non-Aggression Pact (1939-1941)Ø 24 August 1939: Announcement of the Germany & USSR Non-Aggression Pact, also known as the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. It was signed in Moscow on August 23, 1939, by the Soviet foreign minister Vyacheslav Molotov and the German foreign minister Joachim von Ribbentrop. It contained secret terms that divide up the independent countries of Poland, Finland & the Baltic States. Also Romania would be forced to give-up territory to the Soviet Union, and be in its 'sphere of interest'.

Ø Germany will take most of Poland; USSR is to be given control of Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and some of Poland.

Ø Stalin will now be politically isolated from the western allies until Hitler attacks him.

Ø Hitler is successfully able to extract Soviet concessions and fool Stalin into thinking that Germany wants a military alliance. Hitler will delay working out the details of this alliance. Meanwhile Stalin will do everything possible to remain in Hitler's good graces.

Ø Leads to Russo-Finnish War & intimidation of the three Baltic States. USSR wins concessions from these countries.

Ø Although this will lead to the Russo-Finnish War, Stalin takes no military action against the western Allies.

Ø Stalin directs COMINTERN (Communist International) public relations campaign to undermine Britain & France.

Ø This public relations campaign in the U.S. is aimed at ensuring U.S. neutrality & isolationism.

Ø Stalin directs COMINTERN not to resist in German-occupied nations.

Ø Pact ends with German surprise attack on the USSR on June 22, 1941.