The rise of Hitler

1.      Born 1889 in Austria, was a poor student wanted to be an artist

a.      Could not get into the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts

b.      By 1909 he was living in homeless shelters and did whatever work he could

c.       It was during this time that he developed his deep resentment toward foreigners and Jews

2.      When war broke out he immediately volunteered for the German army

a.      He fought bravely and was promoted to Corporal, He also won the both the Iron Cross second class and first class.

b.      He was wounded by a British gas attack in the Ypres Salient. Which many suggest is why he did used Poison gases in WWII

3.      Following the war Hitler remained in the army, one of his duties was to spy on local political groups.  One such group was the German Workers Party.

a.      Hitler became interested and soon joined this party

b.      Hitler's skills for publicity and as a speaker saw him transform it into the Nazi Party.

c.       In 1923 he and the Nazi Party led an attempt to overthrow the Bavarian government, it failed

d.      He was sentenced to nine months in prison where he dictated his book Mein Kampf (My Struggle).

4.      Upon his release he began to rebuild the Nazi party, he decided he had to obtain power by democracy rather than by force. 

5.      He used the stock market crash and the subsequent worldwide great depression to his advantage          

a.      Hitler used the situation to blame Jews and Communists, using them as scapegoats to gain support for himself.

6.      He became Chancellor in 1933 and President in 1934 and used the title Der Führer - leader. 

7.      During the 1930s he 'Nazified' Germany, removing any potential opposition and establishing his ideas for a greater Germany.