th

Class 9
Social Science
History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
Crafted with love
By Digraj Singh Rajput
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

World War I Germany under Hitler,Nazi’s Ideology

Birth of the Weimar Republic The Nazi Worldview

● The Effects of the War
● Political Radicalism and Economic Crises ● Establishment of the Racial State
● The Years of Depression(1929) ● The Racial Utopia

Hitler’s Rise to Power Youth in Nazi Germany

● Schools under Nazism

● The Destruction of democracy
● The Nazi Cult of Motherhood
● Reconstruction
● The Art of Propaganda

World War II

Ordinary People and the Crimes Against Humanity(Holocaust)

 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
● Allied Powers: France, Britain, Russia,Italy and Romania
Birth of the Weimar Republic WWI Begins (1914-1918)
● Central Powers: Germany, Austria, and Turkey

Germany lost,After war, a democratic government

The Effects of the War Weimar Republic(Reichstag) was formed.

On Germany On Europe
● Weimar Republic was blamed for the defeat ● Europe turned into debtors
and the humiliation. ● Soldiers came to be placed above civilians
● Treaty of Versailles was harsh on Germany ● Media glorified trench life
● Lost overseas colonies, 1/10 population ● Men to be aggressive, strong and masculine
● 13% Territories, 75%Iron-26%Coal to France, ● Aggressive war propaganda national honour
Poland, Denmark and Lithuania occupied centre stage
● Forced to pay £6 billion as compensation ● Support grew for conservative dictatorships

Weimar struggles→ Weimar Republic X Spartacist League/Communists X Socialists

Political Radicalism Economic crisis(1923)→Fought war on loans, had to pay war reparations in gold, depleted
and Economic Crises gold reserves→ Germany printed too much money to pay war debts(Hyperinflation)
Dawes Plan(US)→ Helped Germany to ease terms of reparation/Reduce financial burden
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

The German parliament was known as:

A. National Parliament

B. German Legislature

C. Estates General

D. Reichstag
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
● German investments & Industrial recovery, dependent on short-term loans(USA)
The Years of Depression(1929) ● Support withdrawn when Wall Street Exchange crashed( Single day 13M Shares sold
Great Economic Depression) this recession in the US economy felt worldwide

● Industrial production reduced 40%, Workers lost jobs

Impact on Germany ● 6M unemployed, ‘Willing to do any work’, Youth took to criminal activities
● Fear of proletarianisation,People lost confidence in the democratic parliamentary system

● Born in 1889, fought in WWI, and was upset when Germany lost.
● 1919 join German Workers’ Party,Renamed(National Socialist German Workers)
Hitler’s Rise to Power turned into Nazi Party, and gained support during the Great Depression,
● 1928,Nazi Party 2. 6% votes in the Reichstag/ 1932, largest party 37% votes
Hitler gave powerful speeches,held big rallies to make people believe he could restore Germany’s power and pride.

The Destruction of Democracy 30 January 1933 Hitler becomes Chancellor

● Fire Decree→German Parliament building was under fire,Hitler took away people's rights,arrested
Communists, sending to concentration camps
● Enabling Act→ Established dictatorship,Hitler Assume all powers,Banned all parties,control over
economy,media,army, judiciary
● Created Special Police Forces→Gestapo (secret state police), SS (the protection squads), criminal
police and the Security Service (SD)
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

By what name was the National Socialist German Workers Party known later?

A. National Socialist Party

B. Socialist Worker's Party

C. German Worker's Party

D. Nazi Party
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

Reconstruction Hitler’s economist, Hjalmar Schacht, responsibility of economic recovery(created jobs and
built things like highways and the Volkswagen car)

● He left the League of Nations in 1933,Reoccupied the Rhineland in 1936.

Foreign policy ● 1938, unified Austria and Germany under slogan “One people, One empire, One leader.”
● Took over Sudetenland (part of Czechoslovakia) and then the whole country.
→

1939 invaded poland, started WWII → 1940, Germany, Italy, and Japan formed the Tripartite Pact→ 1941 Hitler
with France and England. Attacked the Soviet Union→US Involvement in the war→ war ended May
1945 with Hitler’s defeat with US dropping atom bomb on Hiroshima in
Japan.

Hitler thought some races were better than others, with Germans(blond, blue-eyed, Nordic
The Nazi Worldview German Aryans) at the top and Jews at the bottom.
→

● Darwin’s evolution theory (concept of evolution and natural selection)

Hitler’s racism drew on ● Herbert Spencer’s "survival of the fittest,"(only the strongest race would survive)
● Lebensraum, or living space(take more land,for Germans to live and grow stronger).
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
Establishment of the Racial State → The Racial Utopia

● Desirable(Pure Germans)→Society of pure and healthy Nordic ● Used war and genocide to create a society of racial purity,
Aryans ● Nazis took over parts of Poland, forcing Polish people out of
● Undesirable→Sick,disabled people, Gypsies-blacks(inferior), their homes and replacing them with Germans
people from Russia and Poland. ● Polish leaders were killed, and children who looked “Aryan”
● Jews were the main target→stereotyped as killers of Christ and passed the race tests were taken
usurers,conversion was no solution to ‘the Jewish problem’. ● Jews were sent to ghettos and killed in gas chambers.
solved only through total elimination.

He believed that to make a strong Nazi society, children needed to be taught Nazi ideas
Youth in Nazi Germany
everywhere,inside and outside school.
→

● Cleansed and Purified→Jewish teachers were fired,(Jewish, disabled, and Gypsy) children
were kicked out of school and sent to camps(gas chambers).
schools under Nazism ● Ideological training→School textbooks rewritten,Introduce racial science, Popularise
stereotypes about Jews even in maths class,follow Hitler, and be strong(Boxing).
● Youth organisations→Jungvolk(below 14y),Hitler Youth,learnt to worship war, glorify
aggression and violence, condemn democracy, and hate Jews,After ideological and physical
training joined the Labour Service at 18y and then join Armed forces
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

According to the Nazis, which people were to be regarded as desirable?

A. Pure and healthy Nomadic Aryans

B. German soldiers who helped in territorial expansion.

C. German police of different types.

D. All the above.

 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
The Nazi Cult of Motherhood → The Art of Propaganda

● Girls were taught to be good mothers,raise Aryan children ● Used misleading words instead of killing or murder, special
maintain race purity, distance from Jew,look after home. treatment, final solution(Jews), euthanasia (disabled),
selection-disinfections(deporting people to gas chambers)
● Women with many children got medals and special treats. ● Used visual images, films(The Eternal Jew), radio, posters,
● Women who broke the rules were publicly punished and catchy slogans and leaflets to spread their ideas, make
sent to jail. people hate certain groups, especially Jews

Ordinary People and the Crimes Against Humanity How common people react to Nazism

● Believed Nazism bring prosperity and improve general well-being.

● Not every German was a Nazi→Active resistance by some, risking death, Majority were passive, apathetic, scared,
Pastor Niemoller observed silence and absence of protest, Brutal crimes went unchallenged.
● Jews' experience→Charlotte Beradt(Third Reich of Dreams),Jews internalized Nazi stereotypes, Dreams featured
hooked noses, black hair, Jewish looks, Jews suffered "deaths" before reaching the gas chamber

● The Holocaust was the Nazi-led killing of six million Jews and others during World War II.
Knowledge about ● Jews wanted the world to remember the Holocaust
the Holocaust ● Ghetto and Camp inhabitants wrote diaries, kept notebooks, and created archives
● Holocaust memory lives on in various forms: memories, films, memorials
● A tribute to resistors, reminder to collaborators, warning to bystanders
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
Key Words

Allied Powers : Consisted of UK, France, The then Weimar Republic(German Parliament or Reichstag) : The
USSR, and USA. Weimar Republic was the government of Germany from
Axis Powers: Germany, Italy and Japan. 1919 to 1933. It started after World War I when the
Central Powers: Germany, Austria-Hungary and Turkey German Empire collapsed. The country was in trouble,
facing economic problems, and trying to rebuild itself.
Genocide: 'Genocide,' a term used to describe
violence against members of a national, ethnical, Spartacist League: A radical socialist group that led an
racial or religious group with the intent to destroy the unsuccessful uprising in 1919 to create a Soviet-style
entire group. It came into general usage only after government in Germany. It later became the Communist
World War-II, when the full extent of the atrocities Party of Germany.
committed by the Nazi regime against the Jews of
Europe during that conflict became known.
Reparations: Payments that Germany had to make to the
November Criminals: Those who supported the
Allied countries after World War I as punishment for the
Weimar republic, mainly Socialist, Catholics and
war, which strained its economy.
Democrats, became easy targets of attack in the
conservative nationalists circles. They were known
as the 'November Criminals'.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
Key Words

Hyperinflation: A period in 1923 when Germany printed Great Economic Depression: The stock market crash of
too much money to pay reparations, causing prices to 1929 marked the start of the Great Depression, the most
soar and the value of its currency to collapse. widespread in modern history, with effects felt until the
start of World War II.

Dawes Plan: A 1924 US plan that restructured

Germany's reparations payments and provided U.S. Propaganda : Specific type of message directly aimed at
loans to help stabilize its economy after hyperinflation. influencing the opinion of people (through the use of
posters, films, speeches, etc.
Wall Street Exchange: Wall street exchange is a street in
lower Manhattan that is the original home of the New
York Stock Exchange and the historic headquarters of the
largest U.S. brokerages and investment banks. Concentration Camps: A guarded compound for the
detention or imprisonment of aliens, members of ethnic
Proletarianisation: Proletarianisation is the social minorities, political opponents, etc., especially any of the
process whereby people move from being either an camps established by the Nazis, prior to and during World
employer or self-employed (or rarely unemployed) to War II for the confinement and persecution of prisoners.
being employed as wage labour by an employer.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
Key Words

Special Surveillance and Security Forces: These were

police groups created by the Nazis to control people and Charles Darwin: Darwin was a natural scientist known for
maintain order. They included the Gestapo (secret his theory of evolution and natural selection, explaining
police), SS (protection squads),criminal police and how species adapt to survive in changing environments.
security services(SD). They had the power to arrest,
torture, and send people to concentration camps without
any legal process, making the Nazi regime very feared. Herbert Spencer: Spencer applied Darwin's ideas to
society, promoting the concept of "survival of the
Hjalmar Schacht: Hjalmar Schacht was an economist fittest," where only the strongest survive and thrive,
appointed by Hitler to help Germany's economy recover. which was misused by racists to justify domination over
He created a state-funded work program that built other peoples.
projects like the autobahn (superhighways) and the
Volkswagen car, aiming for full production and
employment.
Lebensraum: Lebensraum, meaning "living space," was
Hitler's idea that Germany needed to acquire more
Nordic German Aryans: One branch of those classified as territory, especially in the east, to expand and strengthen
'Aryans'. They lived in north European countries and had the nation by settling Germans in these areas.
German related origin.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
Key Words

Race: Race is the classification of humans into groups Usurers: Usurers were moneylenders who charged very
based on physical traits, ancestry, genetics or social high interest on loans. The term was often used
relations, or the relations between them. negatively, and the Nazis blamed Jews for being usurers,
based on old stereotypes.

Gypsies: Gypsies, including the Sinti and Roma

Jungvolk:Jungvolk was a Nazi youth group for boys aged
communities, were a group considered "racially
10 to 14, where they were trained in Nazi ideals and
inferior" by the Nazis. Many of them were persecuted
prepared to join the Hitler Youth.
and targeted for elimination.

Persecuted: Persecuted means being treated unfairly Hitler Youth: The Hitler Youth was a Nazi organization for
or harmed because of your race, religion, or identity. boys aged 14 and above, where they learned Nazi values,
Under the Nazis, many groups, like Jews and Gypsies, including hatred for Jews and communists, and were
were persecuted. trained for military service.

Holocaust: The Holocaust refers to the systematic killing

Pauperised: Pauperised means being reduced to of six million Jews and millions of others by the Nazis
extreme poverty, with people having no money or during World War II. It was only after the war that the
basic needs. The Nazis made many Jews and others world fully realized the horrors of these atrocities.
live in poverty and forced them out of the country.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

What was the impact of World War-I on Germany's politics and society?

Effect on Political Life:

● The new government, called the Weimar Republic, had to deal with the mistakes of the old empire.
● The Weimar Republic was in big debt and had to pay money as punishment for starting the war.

Effect on society

● Soldiers came to be placed above civilians.

● The media glorified trench warfare, where soldiers lived miserable lives.
● Aggressive war propaganda and national honour held an important place in the lives of people.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

How Germany came into the trap of 'Hyper-Inflation' situation after World War II?
How were they saved?

● Germany borrowed money to fight the war and had to pay reparations in gold, which drained its gold
reserves.

● In 1932, when Germany stopped paying reparations, France took control of Germany’s industrial area, the
Ruhr, to claim coal.

● Germany responded by refusing to work and printing too much paper money. This caused the value of the
German mark to collapse.

● As the mark lost value, the prices of everyday goods shot up, leading to a crisis called "hyperinflation."

● The U.S. helped Germany by introducing the Dawes Plan, which eased the financial burden and helped
stabilize the economy.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
What was the impact of worldwide economic crisis of 1929? Analyse this situation
in Germany.

● The German economy, which had been relying on short-term loans from the USA, was severely affected
when the Wall Street crash of 1929 led to the withdrawal of this support, causing industrial production to
fall to just 40% of its 1929 level.
● By 1932, 6 million people were unemployed. Many walked the streets asking for work, and young people
turned to crime.
● The middle class, including salaried workers and pensioners, lost their savings as money lost its value. Small
businesses went bankrupt, and people feared proletarianisation—being reduced to the working class or,
worse, becoming unemployed.
● Farmers' incomes dropped, and women had trouble feeding their families, leading to feelings of
hopelessness.
● The government couldn’t solve the crisis, and people lost trust in democracy, which led to political unrest
and the rise of extremist groups.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
How did the economic, political, and social crisis in Germany contribute to Hitler's
rise to power?

● Economic Hardship: After the Great Depression in 1929, many people lost their jobs, businesses shut down,
and banks collapsed, creating widespread suffering. This made people desperate for change.
● Hitler's Appeal: Hitler promised to rebuild the economy, provide jobs, and restore Germany's dignity, which
appealed to those suffering from poverty and unemployment.
● Nazi Propaganda: Hitler’s speeches and propaganda stirred hope and anger, especially by blaming the
Versailles Treaty and foreign influences for Germany’s problems.
● Rising Popularity: In 1928, the Nazi Party had only 2.6% of the vote, but by 1932, it became the largest party
with 37%, thanks to Hitler’s powerful speaking skills and promises for a better future.
● Mass Mobilisation: Hitler used big rallies, symbols like the swastika, and rituals to create a sense of unity
and power, making people believe he was the savior who would lead Germany out of its crisis.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

"How Hitler destroyed democracy and established dictatorship". Explain the

statement.

● Destruction of Democracy-Hitler became Chancellor of Germany on January 30, 1933. He took away basic
rights like freedom of speech, press, and assembly. He also focused on imprisoning communists in
concentration camps.

● Enabling Act-The Enabling Act gave Hitler total control, making him a dictator. He banned all other political
parties and trade unions, so he could rule without opposition.

● Security Forces-Hitler created special security forces to control society like-Gestapo (secret state police), the
SS (the protection squads), criminal police and the Security Service (SD). People could be arrested, tortured,
or sent to concentration camps without any legal rights.

● Foreign Policy-Hitler took bold steps in foreign policy. He left the League of Nations, sent troops into the
Rhineland, and later took over Sudetenland and then all of Czechoslovakia.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

What were the main ideas behind Nazi ideology and how did they shape Hitler's
actions?

Racial Hierarchy: Nazi ideology believed in a racial hierarchy, with Aryan Germans (blond, blue-eyed) at the top
and Jews at the bottom, considered enemies. Other races were placed in between, depending on their physical
features.

Darwin and Herbert Spencer: Hitler's ideas were influenced by Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution and Herbert
Spencer’s concept of "survival of the fittest." According to this, the strongest races would survive, and the weaker
ones would be eliminated.

Lebensraum (Living Space): Hitler believed Germany needed more land for expansion (Lebensraum). He wanted to
acquire new territories, especially to the east, to provide space for German settlers and resources to strengthen
the nation, with Poland being the first target for this expansion.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

What happened in schools under Nazi rule and how were German children
influenced by Nazi ideology?

● Teachers who were Jewish or politically unreliable were dismissed. Jewish children and other "undesirable"
students, like the handicapped and Gypsies, were expelled from schools.

● School textbooks were rewritten to teach Nazi ideas, including racial science to justify Nazi beliefs about
race and spreading stereotypes about Jews.

● Children were taught to be loyal to Hitler, hate Jews, and worship the Nazi regime. Even sports like boxing
were used to make children strong and aggressive.

● Youth Organizations-Children were forced to join Nazi youth groups like Jungvolk at age 10, and Hitler Youth
at 14, where they learned to glorify war, violence, and hatred toward "undesirable" groups.

● The Nazi Youth League, renamed Hitler Youth, took control of all youth organizations, banning others to
ensure total control over the upbringing and education of German children.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

How did the Nazis promote the role of women and motherhood in their society?

● Nazi Germany taught girls that their main job was to be good mothers, raise pure Aryan children,
and teach them Nazi values.

● Women who had many children, especially Aryan ones, were rewarded with medals and special
privileges, like discounts on goods and services.

● Women who had contact with Jews, Poles, or Russians were punished. They were paraded with
shaved heads and signs saying they dishonored the nation, often facing jail time.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler

Explain why Nazi propaganda was effective in creating a hatred for Jews.

● The Nazis used language and media to spread the idea that Jews were an inferior race and should be
considered undesirable.

● They used old Christian beliefs that Jews were responsible for killing Christ to make Germans hate Jews
even more.

● The Nazis taught children to be aggressive and racist in schools. Jewish teachers were fired, and Jewish
children were kicked out. This helped spread hate against Jews to the next generation.

● The Nazis made films to spread hate, like "The Eternal Jew," which showed Jews in a negative, stereotypical
way to make people fear and hate them.
 History |Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
How was a 'Racial State' established by Hitler in Germany?

What kind of education was given in Nazi schools?

Trace the 'destruction of democracy' in Germany.

What was the impact of World War-I on European society?

Which special surveillance and security forces were created by Nazis?

How were Darwin and Herbert Spencer's ideas adopted by Hitler or Nazis?

Describe the problems faced by the Weimar Republic.

Describe the events leading to the economic crisis in Germany.