Rise of Nazis

Antisemitism in Europe

European Antisemitism from Its Origins to the Holocaust.
PROTOCOLS OF THE ELDERS OF ZION. "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion" is a fabricated anti-Semitic text purporting to describe a Jewish plan for global domination. It has been thoroughly debunked as a hoax.
Dreyfus Affair. The Dreyfus Affair was a political scandal in France (1894-1906), where Jewish army officer Alfred Dreyfus was wrongly convicted of treason, highlighting widespread anti-Semitism.

Post-World War I Germany

Post-World War I Germany was a nation in turmoil, grappling with the consequences of a devastating defeat and the harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles. The Treaty, signed in 1919, imposed heavy war reparations on Germany and restrictions on its military, leading to economic hardship and political unrest. The immediate post-war period was marked by hyperinflation, which peaked in 1923, eroding the value of the German Mark and wiping out the savings of many Germans. This economic crisis fueled widespread discontent and contributed to political instability.

Despite these challenges, the mid to late 1920s, known as the "Golden Twenties," saw a brief period of relative stability and cultural flourishing in Germany. However, the onset of the Great Depression in 1929 brought a new wave of economic hardship and unemployment, which severely tested the resilience of the Weimar Republic. The growing despair and discontent among the populace provided fertile ground for the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, leading to the eventual downfall of the Weimar Republic and the establishment of a totalitarian regime.

The Weimar Republic

The Weimar Republic, Germany's government from 1919 to 1933, was marked by profound challenges and chronic instability. Established after Germany's defeat in World War I and the abdication of Emperor Wilhelm II, it was named after Weimar, where its constitution was drafted. The Republic represented a significant shift towards democracy and liberalism in German history, featuring a parliamentary system and expanded suffrage.

However, the Weimar Republic faced numerous obstacles. Economically, it struggled with immense war reparations imposed by the Treaty of Versailles, leading to hyperinflation, particularly in the early 1920s, and later the Great Depression. Politically, it was plagued by fragmentation, with numerous parties and frequent changes in government, undermining its stability and effectiveness. The Republic also lacked a strong democratic tradition, which, coupled with political extremism from both the left (communists) and the right (including the nascent Nazi Party), weakened its foundation.

Culturally and socially, the era was marked by significant progress and modernity, seen in arts, science, and a liberal attitude towards social issues. However, this progressiveness often clashed with conservative elements within society. Ultimately, the Weimar Republic's inability to tackle these multidimensional crises led to its collapse and the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party, culminating in the establishment of a totalitarian regime.

Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party

The Dawes plan: The Dawes Plan was an agreement reached in 1924 to address Germany's post-World War I economic difficulties, particularly its reparations payments to the Allies. Named after American banker Charles G. Dawes, the plan restructured Germany's reparations payments and provided foreign loans to help stabilize its economy. It aimed to reduce financial strain and promote economic recovery.
Stressmann: Hjalmar Schacht, not Stressmann, was a prominent figure in Germany during this period. Hjalmar Schacht served as the Currency Commissioner and later as the President of the Reichsbank (Germany's central bank). He played a key role in implementing the Dawes Plan and later the Young Plan, both of which aimed to address Germany's economic woes. Schacht's efforts helped stabilize the German economy during the Weimar Republic era. Gustav Stresemann was another notable figure in this period, serving as the Chancellor and Foreign Minister of Germany, known for his efforts to stabilize relations with the Allies and improve Germany's international standing during the 1920s.
Dietrich Eckart, mentor of Hitler . Dietrich Eckart, a German journalist and playwright, was a key figure in the early Nazi Party and a mentor to Adolf Hitler. Influential in shaping Hitler's ideological views, Eckart played a crucial role in his rise, introducing him to Munich society and helping refine his political message.
The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law.
Mein Kampf (complete book pdf). "Mein Kampf," written by Adolf Hitler during his imprisonment in 1924, outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany. The book espouses virulent anti-Semitism and details Hitler's extreme nationalist and racially supremacist views, which later formed the ideological foundation of the Nazi regime's policies and actions.
Carin Goering . Carin Göring was the first wife of Hermann Göring, a leading member of the Nazi Party. Swedish by birth, she significantly influenced Göring's early political beliefs and affiliations. Her death in 1931 deeply affected him, and she remained an idealized figure in his life throughout his later years.
Hermann Göring. Hermann Göring, a prominent Nazi official, was deeply involved with paramilitary organizations like the Freikorps and the Sturmabteilung (SA), which played crucial roles in the early tumultuous period of the Nazi Party. He notably participated in the Beer Hall Putsch of 1923, an attempted coup led by Adolf Hitler, showcasing the interconnection between influential Nazi figures and these aggressive military groups in their early struggle for power in Germany.
Magda Goebbels, Haim Arlosoroff, Günther Quandt, Joseph Goebbels . Magda Goebbels, famously known as the wife of Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Germany's Propaganda Minister, had a complex and controversial life, intertwined with significant historical figures. Prior to marrying Joseph Goebbels, she was married to Günther Quandt, a prominent German industrialist. While there is speculative historical discourse about a romantic connection between Magda and Haim Arlosoroff, a key Zionist leader, this remains unconfirmed and part of the intricate web of personal and political relationships during a tumultuous period in history.
Joseph Goebbels: The Propaganda Maestro.
Heinrich Himmler: SS and occultism . Heinrich Himmler, the Reichsführer-SS and one of the key architects of the Holocaust, had a deep interest in the occult and mysticism. This fascination influenced some of the ideologies and practices within the SS (Schutzstaffel), the paramilitary organization that he led. Himmler's involvement with the occult included an interest in ancient Germanic history, pagan rituals, and the supernatural. He sponsored archaeological expeditions and research aimed at uncovering evidence of a mythical Aryan race and ancient Germanic past, blending these pseudo-scientific pursuits with the SS's racial ideology.
How Fascism Managed To Consume Germany | Hitler: Germany's Fatal Attraction | All Out History.
Ernst Röhm. The document provides an overview of Ernst Röhm's life and role in the early Nazi Party. It describes his military career, involvement in the German Revolution, relationship with Hitler, leadership of the SA, conflicts with other Nazi leaders, and eventual execution during the Night of the Long Knives purge in 1934. Röhm was an important figure in building up the Nazi paramilitary forces but his socialist views and homosexuality led to his downfall when Hitler allied with more conservative elements.

The Night of Long Knives - Hitler's Rise to Power | Part 1.
The Night of Long Knives - Hitler's Rise to Power | Part 2.

Carl Schmitt‘s defence of Hitler’s extrajudicial assassination of Ernst Rohm and other inner enemies on the night of long knives

Dachau Concentration Camp (4 min video).
The Hidden World War : The Rise Of The Nazis.
Klimt and the Nazis.

"Germany is Hitler" (Rudolf Hess in 1934)

Key Events and Turning Points

The End of World War I and Treaty of Versailles (1918): Harsh reparations, military restrictions, and territorial losses imposed on Germany, creating resentment and economic hardship.
The Spartacist Uprising (1919): A communist revolution in Germany that was suppressed, contributing to political polarization.
Establishment of the Weimar Republic (1919): Germany's first democratic government, facing political instability and economic crises.
Hyperinflation Crisis (Early 1920s): Severe economic hardship and social unrest due to hyperinflation.
Beer Hall Putsch (1923): Adolf Hitler's failed coup attempt in Munich, raising his national profile.
Dawes Plan (1924): Foreign loans provided to stabilize the German economy.
The "Golden Twenties": A period of relative stability and cultural flourishing in mid-1920s Germany.
The Great Depression (1929): Economic turmoil following the Wall Street Crash of 1929, exacerbating Germany's crisis.
Electoral Success of the Nazi Party (Early 1930s): Significant gains in Reichstag seats by the Nazi Party.
Appointment of Adolf Hitler as Chancellor (1933): Marking the beginning of Nazi rule in Germany.
Reichstag Fire (February 27, 1933): Nazis blamed Communists for the fire, leading to the arrest of political opponents and suspension of civil liberties.
Enabling Act (March 23, 1933): Granting Hitler's cabinet full legislative powers and marking the end of the Weimar Republic’s democracy.
Banning of Other Political Parties (July 1933): Establishment of a one-party state by the Nazi regime.
Night of the Long Knives (June 30, 1934): A purge by the Nazi regime to consolidate Hitler's power, targeting the SA.
Death of President Hindenburg (August 2, 1934): Hitler becomes the sole leader of Germany, combining the roles of Chancellor and President.
Reintroduction of Conscription (March 16, 1935): Defiance of the Treaty of Versailles and indication of expansionist ambitions.