Members of the SS parade in a rally using their signature goose step.

Hitler's kampf

When it was clear World War I was a lost cause, Germans were left in a humiliated, chaotic country that became entrenched in a Civil War. Right wing members of the Freikorps fought with the left wing and lost, and the unstable democratic Weimar Republic gained control of the country. World War I was "settled" with the Treaty of Versailles, leaving Germany responsible for war reparations and branding it an embarrassing guilt clause.

Enter Adolf Hitler, failed artist and now one of the leading members of the National Socialist German Workers' Party, or the Nazis. Born in Austria, Hitler's hero as a young boy was the mayor of Vienna, Karl Lueger. Lueger blamed Jew's for Austria's economic problems. Hitler's views on the Jews and antisemitic tactics were shaped by Lueger. Hitler claimed that Germany had been subverted by a Jewish/Communist conspiracy and that therefore World War I had never really been lost. Germany in 1922 was in a poor economic state- high inflation and low value of the German mark (money) left people waiting in breadlines for scant food. By 1923 the Nazi party numbered 50,000 and Hitler launched a failed coup in Munich against the Weimar Republic. He was put to trial for treason but only sentenced to five years and became a celebrity in the process. It was during this stay that his plan for the future was put to paper in Mein Kampf, his radical agenda for future social change.

Germany on the mend

By 1927, the Nazi newspaper which had been banned along with the party after the failed coup was once again legal. Its members enjoyed the sense of unity, identity and belonged that came with membership, along with the fact that it provided an excellent outlet for their anger. The party was well organized and their propaganda was very appealing.

Ordinary voters give power to Nazis

Thirty-two people died in election brawls in 1932. The chancellor of Germany, Franz vön Papen, continued the trend of ineffective national leadership. The parliament, known as the Reichstag was weak and highly ineffective as well, essentially ceasing to function. It was at this time that Hitler announced he would run against Hindenburg. The election was so close a run-off was needed. The Nazis went into overdrive, carrying Hitler in a plane to rallies in 21 cities in what was called "Hitler over Germany." Hindenburg made made radio address. Nonetheless, Hitler lost- but had become much more popular as a result, and the Nazis came to hold more than one third of the seats in the parliament, an effective majority.

Though Hindenburg disliked Hitler, he had been advised that Hitler could be kept under control, and so he named him chancellor, an event celebrated across Germany. Vön Poppen was deposed and become vice chancellor.

Once in a position of power, Hitler tightened his grip. Using the Nazi majority he had a national state of emergency declared. Germany became a one-party police state as all non-Nazis were forced out of office and individual freedoms were taken away. The government could read mail, tap phones, and search homes without a warrant. All opposing parties were banned, and their leaders jailed. The Enabling Act of March 23, 1933 was easily forced through a Reichstag of few political opponents and gave Hitler dictatorial powers.

Hitler is dictator

By the summer of 1933, Hitler had become the master of Germany, the Fuerher. His racist plans would soon become reality.

Storm Troopers walk by German President Paul vön Hindenburg in Potsdam.

Members of the SA march through Berlin's Brandenberg Gate.