Prior to WWII- Rise of Nazism

- Policy of Appeasement

Reichstag Located in Berlin and built in the late 19th century. The German Parliament. In 1933 a fire broke out destroying much of Reichstag (it

is unclear who actually started the fire, but communists were blamed).

This event, because of the blame directed at the communists, gave a boost to the Nazi Party.

As a direct result of the fire, the government issued a decree that suspended constitutional civil rights and created a state of emergency in which official decrees could be enacted without the parliamentary confirmation.

Nazi Party wins 1933 Election In 1933, in the midst of The Depression, the Nazi Party

wins the election and appoints Hitler as Chancellor (Held the most seats in the legislature, and was the leader of the German government).

Result: Parliament gives complete control to the Party They promise to create jobs (which are essential in

times of economic hardship) and restore German honor (which was perceived to have been lost after WWI).

1933 Election Ballot

Photograph taken in 1933 shortly after Hitler was sworn in as Chancellor.

Totalitarian Dictatorship 1933-1945 The state controls all aspects of public and

private life. A single party controls the state The state is also known as the “Third

Reich”.

Concentration Camps Set up almost immediately after Nazi rise to

power. Between 1939 and 1945 Nazi’s established about

20,000 camps. They were set up to imprison and murder so-

called enemies of the state. They were called concentration camps because

people who were imprisoned were concentrated in one location.

Video:

Night and Fog

Other Causes of World War II

(Handout…ahhh a break)

Rise of Fascism and Aggressiveness

focus on collective interest of the state, with one leader. A single party state lead by one dictator.

For example: Hitler and Mussolini were both powerful leaders who promised to lead people out of difficult financial times.

The Aggressive Nature of Many Countries

Japan-invades Manchuria Italy- involved in Ethiopian War Germany- reoccupied Rhineland and

seizes Austria Russia- begins the 5 year Plans under

Josef Stalin

The Failure of the League of Nations

Lacked Key Members (US, USSR) Inability to enforce decisions Weakness against aggression Nations lost confidence in “collective

security” Hitler pulled out of the League

Policy of Appeasement Gave in to Germany’s demands in hopes to

avoid conflict Failure of Britain to reach an agreement

with Germany and to take a firm stand against aggressive nations

Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain from Great Britain argues that appeasement policy is preferable to war.

Lack of Sympathy for Jewish People

Failure of Britain and France to help out German Jews or to recognize that the treatment they were receiving in Germany was more than a Domestic Problem

Most nations of the world were unsympathetic to the Jewish People

Germany’s Non-Aggressive Treaty with Russia

Hitler secretly signed a non-aggression Treaty with Russia, thus attempting a new Alliance system

Hitler now becomes much more aggressive and completed plans to conquer Poland and then to go on to conquer all of Europe.