The Nazi Party
- Nazism survived as a small movement in Germany and some other countries. In the 1990s some German youths formed gangs that believed in Nazi ideas. They were called neo-Nazis (new Nazis). However, the number of neo-Nazis remained small.
- During the war the Nazis carried out the Holocaust. They used poison gas to kill millions of Jews and others. - Hitler made himself a dictator, or leader with unlimited power. His secret police rounded up his enemies and put them in concentration camps (prison centers). - The Nazis believed that the people should obey a strong leader. They had no use for democracy, rule of law, human rights, or peace. The Nazis also taught that Germans were born to rule over what they called “inferior races” (lesser peoples). Hitler preached a special hatred against Jews. - The group that became the Nazi Party formed in 1919. Hitler soon took control. He attracted many new members with his angry speeches. In 1923 Hitler tried to take over the government but failed. - The Nazi Party continued to grow. Many people joined the Nazis during the Great Depression—a time of poverty that began in 1929. Germans began to vote for Nazi candidates in elections. In 1933 the president of Germany named Hitler chancellor (prime minister). -The Nazi Party was a political group that ruled Germany between 1933 and 1945. - “Nazi” is a short form of the official name. In English the official name is the National Socialist German Workers' Party. - Hitler also built up Germany's armed forces. They took over Austria and part of Czechoslovakia. In 1939 Germany invaded Poland and set off World War II.
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- No one is quite sure where or how Hitler picked up his virulent anti-Semitism. Some say it was because of the questionable identity of his grandfather. Others say Hitler was furious at a Jewish doctor that let his mother die. However, it is just as likely that Hitler picked up a hatred for Jews while living on the streets of Vienna, a city known at the time for its anti-Semitism.
- Although Hitler attempted to avoid Austrian military service by moving to Munich, Germany in May 1913, Hitler volunteered to serve in the German army once World War II began.
- In November 1923, Hitler spearheaded an attempt to take over the German government through a putsch (a coup), called the Beer Hall Putsch.
- When the coup failed, Hitler was caught and sentenced to five years in prison.
- It was while in Landsberg prison that Hitler wrote his book, Mein Kampf (My Struggle).
- After only nine months, Hitler was released from prison. After getting out of prison, Hitler was determined to build up the Nazi Party in order to take over the German government using legal means.
Persecution of the Jews and The Holocaust
- The Holocaust began in 1933 when Adolf Hitler came to power in Germany and ended in 1945 when the Nazis were defeated by the Allied powers.
- The term "Holocaust," originally from the Greek word "holokauston" which means "sacrifice by fire," refers to the Nazi's persecution and planned slaughter of the Jewish people. The Hebrew word "Shoah," which means "devastation, ruin, or waste," is also used for this genocide.
- In addition to Jews, the Nazis targeted Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the disabled for persecution. Anyone who resisted the Nazis was sent to forced labor or murdered.
- It is estimated that 11 million people were killed during the Holocaust. Six million of these were Jews. The Nazis killed approximately two-thirds of all Jews living in Europe. An estimated 1.1 million children were murdered in the Holocaust.
- On April 1, 1933, the Nazis instigated their first action against German Jews by announcing a boycott of all Jewish-run businesses.
- Nazis then issued additional anti-Jews laws over the next several years. For example, some of these laws excluded Jews from places like parks, fired them from civil service jobs (i.e. government jobs), made Jews register their property, and prevented Jewish doctors from working on anyone other than Jewish patients.
- After World War II started in 1939, the Nazis began ordering Jews to wear a yellow Star of David on their clothing so that Jews could be easily recognized and targeted.
- After the beginning of World War II, Nazis began ordering all Jews to live within certain, very specific, areas of big cities, called ghettos. Jews were forced out of their homes and moved into smaller apartments, often shared with other families.
- Although many people refer to all Nazi camps as "concentration camps," there were actually a number of different kinds of camps, including concentration camps, extermination camps, labor camps, prisoner-of-war camps, and transit camps. Auschwitz was the largest concentration and extermination camp built. It is estimated that 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz.
- Prisoners transported to these extermination camps were told to undress to take a shower. Rather than a shower, the prisoners were herded into gas chambers and killed. (At Chelmno, the prisoners were herded into gas vans instead of gas chambers.)
- The term "Holocaust," originally from the Greek word "holokauston" which means "sacrifice by fire," refers to the Nazi's persecution and planned slaughter of the Jewish people. The Hebrew word "Shoah," which means "devastation, ruin, or waste," is also used for this genocide.
- In addition to Jews, the Nazis targeted Gypsies, homosexuals, Jehovah's Witnesses, and the disabled for persecution. Anyone who resisted the Nazis was sent to forced labor or murdered.
- It is estimated that 11 million people were killed during the Holocaust. Six million of these were Jews. The Nazis killed approximately two-thirds of all Jews living in Europe. An estimated 1.1 million children were murdered in the Holocaust.
- On April 1, 1933, the Nazis instigated their first action against German Jews by announcing a boycott of all Jewish-run businesses.
- Nazis then issued additional anti-Jews laws over the next several years. For example, some of these laws excluded Jews from places like parks, fired them from civil service jobs (i.e. government jobs), made Jews register their property, and prevented Jewish doctors from working on anyone other than Jewish patients.
- After World War II started in 1939, the Nazis began ordering Jews to wear a yellow Star of David on their clothing so that Jews could be easily recognized and targeted.
- After the beginning of World War II, Nazis began ordering all Jews to live within certain, very specific, areas of big cities, called ghettos. Jews were forced out of their homes and moved into smaller apartments, often shared with other families.
- Although many people refer to all Nazi camps as "concentration camps," there were actually a number of different kinds of camps, including concentration camps, extermination camps, labor camps, prisoner-of-war camps, and transit camps. Auschwitz was the largest concentration and extermination camp built. It is estimated that 1.1 million people were killed at Auschwitz.
- Prisoners transported to these extermination camps were told to undress to take a shower. Rather than a shower, the prisoners were herded into gas chambers and killed. (At Chelmno, the prisoners were herded into gas vans instead of gas chambers.)
Daily life of the German people during the war
- Lots of propaganda, everywhere you went. Children were FORCED to join the Hitler Youth at age 10, which led to early indoctrination and training.
- The role of women changed; women were once again expected to be homemakers and have large families, to support the Aryan race.
- Though industry was privately owned, the best workers often got special "rewards" from the government, like free cruises, vacations, bonuses, etc.
- Health was a big thing; healthcare was free and smoking and drinking were frowned on, while healthy diet and exercise was deemed essential to developing a strong Aryan race.
- State run press, burning of books against the third Reich, state media, etc.
- Loss of civil rights, real courts often replaced with show trials; especially for political enemies.
- Concentration camps used to "re-educate" political rebels; both productive and non productive (for the purpose of breaking people down, examples would include moving piles of dirt around) work was done; around 1942 and 1943, a number of these turned into all out death camps, like Aushwitz.
- Strong sense of Nationalism and Community.
- General hatred, and later, violence against Jew.
- Perfect German family (blonde hair, blue eyes, more importantly long faces oval shaped faces and slender noses) killed people who were handicapped or Jewish.
- The role of women changed; women were once again expected to be homemakers and have large families, to support the Aryan race.
- Though industry was privately owned, the best workers often got special "rewards" from the government, like free cruises, vacations, bonuses, etc.
- Health was a big thing; healthcare was free and smoking and drinking were frowned on, while healthy diet and exercise was deemed essential to developing a strong Aryan race.
- State run press, burning of books against the third Reich, state media, etc.
- Loss of civil rights, real courts often replaced with show trials; especially for political enemies.
- Concentration camps used to "re-educate" political rebels; both productive and non productive (for the purpose of breaking people down, examples would include moving piles of dirt around) work was done; around 1942 and 1943, a number of these turned into all out death camps, like Aushwitz.
- Strong sense of Nationalism and Community.
- General hatred, and later, violence against Jew.
- Perfect German family (blonde hair, blue eyes, more importantly long faces oval shaped faces and slender noses) killed people who were handicapped or Jewish.
The Hitler Youth
- In 1936, the total number of boys and girls registered as Hitler Youths was 4 million
- Balder von Shirach was the overseer of the Hitler Youth movement
- By 1938, attendence was barely 25%, thus making it nessecary to have an attendence law.
- The HitlerYouth was known as Hitler Jugend.
- According to Hitler, the youth were the face of the Nazi Revolution. Thus he designed an organization that prepared boys within the age of 10- 18 for the military and girls within the same age group prepared for motherhood. Hitler in December of 1936 got rid of all other youth groups and formed the Hitler Jugend, or the Hitler Youth.
- The boys, during their early years, learned how to handle firearms and weapons and also had the Nazi dogma instilled in them. The women that attended these schools learned how to swim, cook, and take care of children.
- The youth were used by the Nazis to enstill Aryan morals in and also another thing the Youth helped the Nazis with was easy recruitment for battles. When the Nazis were low on soldiers for battles they often used the Hitler Youth. - The Hitler Youth were largely responsible for killing many Jews in the Holocaust. But with their strong conviction in Nazi beliefs- "The boys bear aloft the swaying banners; The flags of the new era; They carry them proudly to victory; No path is too steep or too far."
- The Hitler Youth was a logical extension of Hitler's belief that the future of Nazi Germany was its children. The Hitler Youth was seen as being as important to a child as school was. In the early years of the Nazi government, Hitler had made it clear as to what he expected German children to be like: " The weak must be chiseled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather, and as hard as Krupp's steal."
- Nazi education schemes part fitted in with this but Hitler wanted to occupy the minds of the young in Nazi Germany even more.
- Balder von Shirach was the overseer of the Hitler Youth movement
- By 1938, attendence was barely 25%, thus making it nessecary to have an attendence law.
- The HitlerYouth was known as Hitler Jugend.
- According to Hitler, the youth were the face of the Nazi Revolution. Thus he designed an organization that prepared boys within the age of 10- 18 for the military and girls within the same age group prepared for motherhood. Hitler in December of 1936 got rid of all other youth groups and formed the Hitler Jugend, or the Hitler Youth.
- The boys, during their early years, learned how to handle firearms and weapons and also had the Nazi dogma instilled in them. The women that attended these schools learned how to swim, cook, and take care of children.
- The youth were used by the Nazis to enstill Aryan morals in and also another thing the Youth helped the Nazis with was easy recruitment for battles. When the Nazis were low on soldiers for battles they often used the Hitler Youth. - The Hitler Youth were largely responsible for killing many Jews in the Holocaust. But with their strong conviction in Nazi beliefs- "The boys bear aloft the swaying banners; The flags of the new era; They carry them proudly to victory; No path is too steep or too far."
- The Hitler Youth was a logical extension of Hitler's belief that the future of Nazi Germany was its children. The Hitler Youth was seen as being as important to a child as school was. In the early years of the Nazi government, Hitler had made it clear as to what he expected German children to be like: " The weak must be chiseled away. I want young men and women who can suffer pain. A young German must be as swift as a greyhound, as tough as leather, and as hard as Krupp's steal."
- Nazi education schemes part fitted in with this but Hitler wanted to occupy the minds of the young in Nazi Germany even more.
Effects of Military Air Strikes
- The war between Japan and US was getting hotter after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. As revenge, more than 13,000 tons of bombs had been plunged by the US army to destroy Nagasaki. Little boy was the code name for the bombing.
- Nagasaki had to experience the powerful atomic bomb again. More than 22,000 at nuclear bomb under the code of Fat Man had been jumped down to damage Nagasaki.
- The pioneer of atomic bomb is the US. The Nagasaki destruction had showed the other countries about the power of an atomic bomb. It leads them to develop the same weapon. Some of the interested countries may include France, Britain, India, China and also Pakistan.
- The explosion of Hiroshima wiped out 90 percent of the city and immediately killed 80,000 people; tens of thousands more later died of radiation exposure.
- Three days later, a second B-29 dropped another A-bomb on Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people.
- In the first 1–9 weeks of the bombings, in which are the greatest number of deaths, with 90% due to thermal injury and/or blast effects and 10% due to super-lethal radiation exposure.
- Some scientists estimate that if there were a nuclear war resulting in 100 Hiroshima-size nuclear explosions on cities, comparable to the construction of Hiroshima 1945, it could cause significant loss of life in the tens of millions from long term climatic effects alone.
- The main causes of death and disablement after the explosions were thermal burns and the failure of structures resulting from the blast effect. Injury from the pressure wave is minimal in contrast because the human body can survive up to 2 bar (30 psi) while most buildings can only withstand a 0.8 bar (12 psi) blast.
- Kamikaze (Jap., ‘Divine Wind’, so-called from the strong winds and storms which dispersed two Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281). Japanese pilots during World War II who volunteered, from 1944 onward, to undertake missions against enemy targets in which they were ‘flying bombs’, and from which, therefore, they could not expect to return alive.
- Kamikaze were used to attack United States, Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
- Nagasaki had to experience the powerful atomic bomb again. More than 22,000 at nuclear bomb under the code of Fat Man had been jumped down to damage Nagasaki.
- The pioneer of atomic bomb is the US. The Nagasaki destruction had showed the other countries about the power of an atomic bomb. It leads them to develop the same weapon. Some of the interested countries may include France, Britain, India, China and also Pakistan.
- The explosion of Hiroshima wiped out 90 percent of the city and immediately killed 80,000 people; tens of thousands more later died of radiation exposure.
- Three days later, a second B-29 dropped another A-bomb on Nagasaki, killing an estimated 40,000 people.
- In the first 1–9 weeks of the bombings, in which are the greatest number of deaths, with 90% due to thermal injury and/or blast effects and 10% due to super-lethal radiation exposure.
- Some scientists estimate that if there were a nuclear war resulting in 100 Hiroshima-size nuclear explosions on cities, comparable to the construction of Hiroshima 1945, it could cause significant loss of life in the tens of millions from long term climatic effects alone.
- The main causes of death and disablement after the explosions were thermal burns and the failure of structures resulting from the blast effect. Injury from the pressure wave is minimal in contrast because the human body can survive up to 2 bar (30 psi) while most buildings can only withstand a 0.8 bar (12 psi) blast.
- Kamikaze (Jap., ‘Divine Wind’, so-called from the strong winds and storms which dispersed two Mongol invasions in 1274 and 1281). Japanese pilots during World War II who volunteered, from 1944 onward, to undertake missions against enemy targets in which they were ‘flying bombs’, and from which, therefore, they could not expect to return alive.
- Kamikaze were used to attack United States, Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.