What was going on in Germany before and when Hitler was in power?

Answer 1

That would require a very lenghthy answer, so I would suggest that you read, The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich.

Before the rise of HitlerDespite the Treaty of Versailles, reparations and all that, and despite hyperinflation (stabilized late in 1923) the republic established in Germany in 1918-19 was quite successful for a while - against all the odds. In 1928 the Nazis won only 12 out of about 600 seats in the Reichstag and Hitler was widely regarded as a funny little man who ranted and raved like crazy in public!

However, the German economy was more exposed to short term borrowing than any other in Europe in the 1920s, and the effects of the Great Depression caused an almost permanent political crisis from 1930 onwards. From 1930 the country was largely ruled under emergency powers (in other words, by decree). Germany was already deeply divided between Left and Right, and this division rapidly intensified. The situation was made worse by the fact that Germany lacked a conventional, broadly based conservative party, so much of the hardline Right-wing vote went to the Nazis.

By late 1932 many politicians felt that the political structures were deadlocked and that something drastic had to happen to continue the process of government. On the advice of the German Nationalists (the DNVP) and some others, President Hindenburg invited Hitler to form a coalition government of Nationalists and Nazis. At the time it was assumed that the Nazis were the junior partners in the coalition. Within a few weeks Hitler upstaged the DNVP, established a Dictatorship (March 1933) and two months later Germany became a one-party state.

Hindsight can distort. It would be wrong to regard the whole period of the Weimar Republic as one long build-up to Nazi rule. Until Germany was hit by the Great Depression, the liberals, moderate socialists (Social Democrats - SPD) and moderate conservatives (DVP) were in the ascendant and formed most of the German governments of the 1920s.

After the Rise of Hitler

When Hitler gained power, the economy stimulated and many jobs were provided. Hitler began working at stopping any possible internal threats.

Hitler slowly began encouraging the discrimination of the Jewish people. Hitler began invading and taking over surround countries, many of which were previously Germany but were lost after World War 1. Hitler's territorial demands grew and grew, even though he made promises to end them. These countries were under-developed and didn't stand a chance. Some of them just gave up, and as in the case of Austria, cheered the invaders more like a parade than a new occupying force.

Hitler then invaded the country of Poland, which although was largely inferior, decided to strongly oppose Hitler and even mounted their small and ancient armies. In one case, Polish soldiers even rode with lances on horses against the revolutionary German Panzer tanks. Even though Poland fell to the invading forces, an alliance of countries (the Allies) jumped to the scene with a declaration of war. This move surprised Hitler, as his high command assured him the allies would not declare war so quickly.

Hitler took a swift victory in France by taking his tanks through the Ardennes around the forces. Hitler then conquered France. Another defeat of this magnitude would have undoubtefully killed the Allies (Note: The Allies did not include the Americans at this time).

Meanwhile, Hitler was not interning Jews in death camps, although he was not purposely killing them yet. They often died of being over-worked, starvation, malnutriton, or various other reasons. Jews from conquered countries were also placed in concentration camps.

Hitler's nation was more enthusiastic than ever at the swift and great victories. Hitler soon took over all of Europe except England, which he left since he could not sufficiently weaken's air force, the RAF.

The war then proceeded to North Africa, where it flip flopped. In December of 1941, America declared war after the bombing of Pearl Harbour. The Allies soon pushed all the way to the end, and the Axis fled North Africa.

At this point, the Nazis began killing off the Jewish people on purpose. Death chambers were established. Prisoners were told they were going to take showers, then killed by the hundreds by poisonus gas. The German people remained strong, as Hitler was ruthless against any comments but 100% patriotic ones.

In 1944, Normandy was invaded. The invasion was successful, and on the Eastern front, Hitler was being pushed back by the Soviets. Soon enough, Hitler was cornered. They tried moving POW's and Jews further away from the on-moving troops. They began killing as many Jews as possible. They even tried destroying documents of proof of what happened. However, it was clear when the troops liberated the camps what had been going on.

The German view at this point was generally very depressed. They felt defeated, and the nation was split in half with the counter-part Soviets. Hitler committed suicide on May 1, 1945.

Answer 2

Get a copy of "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by William L. Shirer. Your local library might have one or could certainly get one on interlibrary loan. Read the first few chapters. That will give you a pretty good idea. Michael Montagne

Answer 3

Germans really didn't give much attention to the Jews but Hitler then started to convince them about how Jews were the cause of all their problems. The Germans were convinced and almost worshiped Adolf Hitler, and they went with his plan. They thought it was the right thing to do. Germans really didn't give much attention to the Jews but Hitler then started to convince them about how Jews were the cause of all their problems. The Germans were convinced and almost worshiped Adolf Hitler, and they went with his plan. They thought it was the right thing to do.

Answer 4

Before Hitler came into power it was governed by the Weimar Republic, this was the first demorcratic government in Germany however it didnt last long because Hitler then became Chancellor in 1933.

Answer 5

Germany was in a depression as was the rest of the world so there were a lot of disgruntled and hungry people that were easily misled by Hitlers rhetoric.

Answer 6

There were giants labs of bacon roaming the country which chased everyone out hitler then ate them all