The rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany during the 1920s-1930s is one of the most significant events of the 20th century. Understanding the causes, course, and results of this political movement is crucial to understanding the history of Germany and Europe during this period, as well as the roots of World War II and the atrocities of the Holocaust.
There were several factors that contributed to Hitler's rise to power in Germany. One of the key factors was the Treaty of Versailles, which Germany was forced to sign following its defeat in World War I. This treaty imposed harsh economic and territorial restrictions on Germany, leading to widespread resentment and frustration among the German people. Additionally, the Great Depression of the 1930s had
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Hitler and the Nazi Party began their rise to power in the early 1920s, when they formed the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). The Nazi Party grew in popularity throughout the decade, using propaganda, violence, and manipulation to gain support. In 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany by President Paul von Hindenburg. The Nazi Party then used their power to pass the Enabling Act, which gave Hitler dictatorial powers and paved the way for his absolute control of the country. With this newfound authority, Hitler began to implement his vision for a unified, fascist Germany. He consolidated power by purging opponents, such as the Night of Long Knives in 1934 when he ordered executions of members of the Sturmabteilung (SA), or Brownshirts, whom he deemed a threat to his position. He then started creating policies that were discriminatory against Jews and other minorities, such as the Nuremberg Laws in 1935, which deprived these groups of their citizenship and prevented them from owning businesses or marrying "pure" Germans. From there, the government began to enforce these laws, with events such as Kristallnacht, the Night of Broken Glass, on November 9-10, 1938, when