Wright 1

Kira Wright
Mr. Hawkins
Modern World History P-3
4 March 2016
Inquiry Question #1
There were many characteristics that led up to the Nazis taking power. Many of them
were gradual and most German people didnt see the incoming danger. The End of WW1 finally
came and the results were catastrophic. World War I ended in 1918 with a grisly total of 37
million casualties, including 9 million dead combatants. (Timeline1) Many of the German
people were shocked with the results of the war. It gave them no hope of the future. German
propaganda had not prepared the nation for defeat, resulting in a sense of injured German
national pride. (Timeline1) The term German National Pride is exactly what Hitler was
seeking for the Nazis to Lead. It was a perfect time for them to strike and begin leading the
fearful German people. The Nazi Party seemed doomed to fail and its leaders, including
Hitler, were subsequently jailed and charged with high treason. (Timeline1) The beginning
of the Nazis did not turn out just as they planned. In fact, it actually started a beginning to Adolf
Hitler and his career as Chancellor.
However, despite this loss, Hitler used the courtroom to his advantage. By the end of the
24-hour trial, Hitler actually gained supporters to his cause. Hitler was an all-powerful leader.
Hitler believed that he had a special destiny; that he could liberate Germany and makes it
great. He modeled himself as Christ like figure, but later he stated that Christ was too
weak.(History1) Just by that one statement, Hitler obviously wanted to be more powerful than
the most high, no matter what it takes. Later, when Hitler became a citizen, he started believing

Wright 2

in the ideas of communism. After Hitler was released from prison, The Nazis sent out a great
deal of propaganda but did not get the response they wanted as Germany was now
recovering in its Stresemann years or Golden period. (History1) The German people were
looking for a nationalistic leader with good ideals and a good outlook for the oncoming future.
But, despite the Nazis doing everything they can as a legitimate party, the Nazis only got
810,000 votes when they ran for seats in the Reichstag. However, the Nazis got lucky when
the Great Depression hit. When people have difficult times, they turn to extreme views in
order to solve their problem, Hitler was just that solution. (History1) The Great Depression
was a great awaking for the Germans. After all they faced at the end of WW1 and theyre debt,
suddenly they need a new and improved leader who is finally going to lead them to victory.
Hitler simply rose to power due to the social and political circumstances that
characterized the interwar period in Germany. (Vashem1) The interwar period in Germany
was horrible. Due to the outcomes of the war, the people of Germany were left with no hope of
anything good to come for them. The paradox was that Nazi ideology stemmed from
Germany and the German people, among whom Jews eagerly wanted to acculturate.
Indeed, there was a widespread belief amongst many Jews in the illusion that the role they
played within industry and trade and their contributions to the German economy would
prevent the Germans from completely excluding them. (Vashem1) the German people
believed after hearing from Adolf Hitler that the Jews were bad and not really contributing to the
patriotic cause of Germany. They were now starting to see Nationalism build up again with Adolf
Hitler. They started trusting his ideas and gave into anything he said. No matter how cruel or un
just it was, they believed him. He believed that Germany should fight wars for vast tracts of
land to enable its people to settle on them, raising large families that would replace

Wright 3

casualties and provide soldiers for the next war of expansion. (History1) with Hitler
believing that Germany should fight vast wars, that had to mean a powerful army. Hitler was
ready to create the greatest army in the world and expand Germanys versatility.
After fighting a long battle with Germany itself, Hitler finally found a way to succeed. He
quickly became all-powerful and the Chancellor of Germany. One of his strategies is to get rid of
the Jew, whom he believes are the causes of them losing WW1. On March 9, 1933, several
weeks after Hitler assumed power, organized attacks on Jews broke out across Germany.
Two weeks later, the Dachau concentration camp, situated near Munich, opened. Dachau
became a place of internment for Communists, Socialists, German liberals and anyone
considered an enemy of the Reich. It became the model for the network of concentration
camps that would be established later by the Nazis. (History1) by opening these
concentration camps, it showed the people of Germany how secure they were if the Jews were
pushed aside. It wasnt just Jews but anyone who was different then Hitlers own standards. In
order to keep the concentration camps in-line there needed to be more Nazis. The Nazi Party
began building a mass movement. From 27,000 members in 1925, the Party grew to 108,000
in 1929.(Timeline1) with the expansion of Nazis everywhere anyone looked, there was no way
you couldnt follow them. They were rising to power fast and very sly-like. After Hitler and the
Nazis won the election, For the next six months, the most powerful German leaders were
embroiled in a series of desperate political maneuverings. Ultimately, these major players
severely underestimated Hitler's political abilities. (Timeline1) by doing so, people started
to trust Hitler and his capabilities. It was a big turning point for him and the Nazis.
In the end, the characteristics were mostly shown at the end of the war. Gradually these
characteristics raised Hitler and the Nazi movement to power. The German people had no sense

Wright 4

of any Nationalism or faith in their own Country. The rise of the Nazis gave then Germans some
sense of security until they have found out what theyve really been doing. None of this was right
but it was what Hitler felt was best for the, at the time. By setting up propaganda and convincing
the people that he is the way to fix Germany, Adolf Hitler won.