Hitler and Nazi Germany essays

Hitler and Nazi Germany essays In July 1932, Hitler and the Nazi party won 230 seats in the Reichstag elections, becoming the single biggest party in the Reichstag. Ein volk, ein reich, ein fuhrer. This phrase, which means one people, one state, one leader forms the elemental foundation of the Nazi identity. The Nazis governed Germany with a fascist outlook, they believed unity was important. Numerous factors contributed to the Nazi identity, these factors reinforced the concept of unity and they are reflected in the actions taken by the Nazi government. After the loss of World War One, the social atmosphere in Germany was one of bitter resentment. He and future-Nazis were confused about the loss of the war. As far as they knew, Germany had been winning the war until their leaders (the Weimar government) inexplicably called for peace. Like many other Germans, the Nazis believed the stab in the back myth. They thought that the Jews were involved in a world-wide conspiracy against Germany, that the Jews were the enemy within. Inevitably, along with the loss of the war came the Treaty of Versailles which set the terms of peace between Germany and the Allies, this was signed by the Weimar government in 1919. The terms of the treaty destroyed Germanys status as a super-power in Europe. The terms included: military disarmament - no army or navy, only a small defence force of 100,000 men was allowed; considerable loss of territory - thirteen percent of land was taken; huge sums of reparations were to be paid to the Allies and Germa ny was forced to accept all blame for the war. The condition of life in Germany deteriorated rapidly due to the inflation that occurred following the signing of the Treaty. The Nazis, as fascists, believed in a strong state and the Treaty had greatly weakened Germany. In the Treaty they saw the indispensable need to rebuild Germany and to reclaim the lost land. They wanted to...