The seeds of Hitler's rise to power were planted following the outcome of The First World War. Through Germany's defeat, many German men returned to Germany

Authors Avatar

The seeds of Hitler's rise to power were planted following the outcome of The First World War. Through Germany's defeat, many German men returned to Germany feeling betrayed by their country and government. Among them was Adolf Hitler, a young Austrian Corporal who had fought bravely for Germany. When the World War broke out, Hitler was very happy. The War had been a blessing to Hitler, who had failed in civilian life. When Germany was defeated, Hitler was shocked. He wrote, “I could sit there no longer, once again, everything went black before my eyes, and I tottered and groped my way back to the place where we slept, and buried my burning head in the blankets and pillows.”  

Returning unemployed to Munich, Hitler was outraged and thinking in his own mind  “in these days the hatred grows in me, hatred for those responsible for this action.” Hitler promised to get back at people for those who had been responsible for Germany's defeat, and with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. Hitler blamed the defeat of Germany on the Jews, Communists, and the weak Weimar government. This is the government that held power following Germany's defeat. With his strong hatred for the Communists, the Jews, and the weak government, Hitler vowed to fight back, and to change the terrible things, which he believed, had been done to Germany.

After the War, Hitler found a job as a prison guard sixty miles north from Munich. The job was boring, but it provided him with security, food, shelter, and something to do. When the job ended, Hitler went back to Munich, where he was offered a more challenging job due to his huge dislike for the Communists who were trying to create an uprising in cities throughout Germany. In this job, Hitler was given the task of keeping a close watch on individual groups; this could have been a threat to the military of the Weimar Government. In this, Hitler learned many things and was given special training at the University of Munich where he attended political philosophy classes. These classes may be where he began to take keen interest in Germany’s spread of people.

In 1919, Hitler was investigating a fifty-four-member group, which was called the German's Worker's Party. This group had funds adding up to about seven U.S. dollars. This group had anti-Communist ideas, and believed that the Jews were to blame for Germany's problems. After attending a few meetings, Hitler joined becoming the party's fifty-fifth member. Although this was small party, in a few years it becomes the most powerful political group in Europe. As a member, Hitler became very busy, spending all his free time doing work for the party, forcing him to resign from his military position. Until that time a man by the name of Drexler had been the leader of this party. It was this man who saw that Hitler had much potential. This was the reason for promoting him to the position of director of propaganda. In this new position, Hitler set to work, spreading news of the party's ideas and meetings. With the increased publicity, the party grew attracting large audiences who were curious and intrigued by Hitler and his speeches. Although at first a shy and awkward man, Hitler became a very powerful and convincing speaker. At theses meetings Hitler spoke of The Versailles Treaty, the Jews, Communists, and the Germany and the World's future. As one bystander said, “ he could send shivers down one's spine”. Within a few months the party’s membership increased to over a thousand members. Hoping to gain further popularity, Hitler changed the name of the Party to the National Socialist German Worker's Party (also known as NAZI). This because he felt that the old name was boring and lacked ease. As his power increased he introduced a new flag and symbol of the Party. By 1920, Hitler demanded Drexler for full control of the party. Drexler, without any alternatives gave over power. With the new authority, Hitler changed his name to "Adolf Hitler, der Fuhrer". As activities increased Hitler suggested a private army for the protection of him and other party members. A loyal follower by the name of Rohm (a gay man), organized a group of ruthless ex-soldiers naming them the S.A. The S.A. was trained, drilled, and similar to a real military group. These men often led attacks on hecklers and Jewish people. They had little sympathy for their opponents and often were extremely brutal in their attacks. They did this because of passionate hate.

In the year 1923, the Nazi's had over 150,000 members, all drawn by the exciting rallies and the hatred of Jews. During this same year, the Ruhr, an important mining region was occupied by the French troops. This action was taken, because it was during this year that Germany failed to pay debts and damages to France. This invasion by France angered many Germans who were still very hostile to the Treaty of Versailles, and the same that it brought upon their nation. With the occupation of the Ruhr, inflation skyrocketed, making the German currency nearly worthless. This was the moment that Hitler had been waiting for. With the support of his party, Hitler stepped in presenting the German people with the scapegoat for all their troubles. On the top of the list were the Jews, followed by the Communists and all foreigners. To many Germans, these groups did seem like plausible excuses for their troubles. On November 8, 1923, five years after the Germany's defeat, Hitler chose the moment for a revolution. At a beer hall in Bavaria, he attempted to seize power in the Beer Hall

Putsch, where he failed to gain power, but where he gained national recognition for his brave attempt. He was sentenced for five years in prison, but due to his sympathetic supporters in Bavaria, he served only nine months.

During these nine months Hitler had a lot to think about and wrote about his thinking. Although he was in prison, one Nazi remarked, “The place looked like a delicatessen.

Join now!

You could have opened a flower and fruit and wine shop with all the stuff

stacked there. People were sending presents from all over Germany and

Hitler had grown visibly fatter on the proceeds”. While enjoying the gifts, Hitler sat down to work on his book entitled Mein Kampf (my struggle). This is the book in which he outlined his ideas on the future of Germany, his racial policies, preservation of the Volk, and the thousand years Reich.quotes The book was published in 1925, two years after he failed revolution. The book was not a success, selling a few thousand copies ...

This is a preview of the whole essay