Rise of Hitler
Rise of Hitler
The impact of WW1 was crucial to Hitler’s rise to power
After WWI, Adolf Hitler, politician and leader of the Nazi party, was able to steadily gain political support, leading to his ultimate reign as chancellor of Germany and casting the world into the turmoil of WWII. Some argue that it was mostly WWI that was crucial to Hitler’s rise to power. However, Hitler’s rise to power cannot be contributed to one event, but rather a number of factors, including events happening outside Germany - such as the Great Depression - the strength of the Nazi party, and the ineffectiveness and weakness of the Weimar Republic. Hitler’s use of propaganda and his own personal qualities as a speaker and politician certainly aided in his rise to the position of Chancellor and leader of the Nazi party.
The impact of WWI was certainly crucial, however it was not the most crucial factor in Hitler’s rise to power. Hitler had fought as a soldier in WWI, gaining the Iron Cross for his services and time at war. It was in this time that Hitler became a nationalist, and this was the basis for some of his later ideals and beliefs. The war created some major problems, including economic crisis and hyperinflation in 1923, throwing Germany into mass debt and rendering the German Mark worthless.1 It also caused great social unrest, and people began to blame the government for all their problems. After Ebert – the President of Germany – signed the Treaty of Versailles, the people turned against him, as the terms of the Treaty were highly demanding and embarrassing on all German people. Some of the Treaty’s provisions included; that Germany would have to give up 10% of its land, all overseas colonies, 12.5% of all its population and also Germany’s exports, including 16% of coal production and 48% of the iron industry 2. The Germans were appalled, and supporters of the Weimar felt betrayed by the Allies. People needed an alternative to their weak government, and this provided a
The impact of WW1 was crucial to Hitler’s rise to power
After WWI, Adolf Hitler, politician and leader of the Nazi party, was able to steadily gain political support, leading to his ultimate reign as chancellor of Germany and casting the world into the turmoil of WWII. Some argue that it was mostly WWI that was crucial to Hitler’s rise to power. However, Hitler’s rise to power cannot be contributed to one event, but rather a number of factors, including events happening outside Germany - such as the Great Depression - the strength of the Nazi party, and the ineffectiveness and weakness of the Weimar Republic. Hitler’s use of propaganda and his own personal qualities as a speaker and politician certainly aided in his rise to the position of Chancellor and leader of the Nazi party.
The impact of WWI was certainly crucial, however it was not the most crucial factor in Hitler’s rise to power. Hitler had fought as a soldier in WWI, gaining the Iron Cross for his services and time at war. It was in this time that Hitler became a nationalist, and this was the basis for some of his later ideals and beliefs. The war created some major problems, including economic crisis and hyperinflation in 1923, throwing Germany into mass debt and rendering the German Mark worthless.1 It also caused great social unrest, and people began to blame the government for all their problems. After Ebert – the President of Germany – signed the Treaty of Versailles, the people turned against him, as the terms of the Treaty were highly demanding and embarrassing on all German people. Some of the Treaty’s provisions included; that Germany would have to give up 10% of its land, all overseas colonies, 12.5% of all its population and also Germany’s exports, including 16% of coal production and 48% of the iron industry 2. The Germans were appalled, and supporters of the Weimar felt betrayed by the Allies. People needed an alternative to their weak government, and this provided a