The document discusses the economic and political factors in Germany following World War I that enabled the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazis. The Treaty of Versailles devastated Germany's economy by imposing massive reparations costs. This caused hyperinflation as the German government printed money to pay its debts, collapsing the value of the German currency. The harsh terms of the treaty also deeply humiliated the German people. As the Great Depression spread worldwide in the late 1920s, bringing further economic hardship to Germany, Hitler was able to capitalize on Germans' frustrations and rally support with his charismatic speeches promising to restore national pride and prosperity.

1. The End of Optimism:The Great
Depression in Europe
The in global economic collapse caused
the German people to accept the
terms, ideas, and values of Adolf Hitler

2. The Root of the Problem
The Treaty of Versailles

3. The Root of the Problem
The Treaty of Versailles
The treaty destroyed Germany economically and humiliated
the German people.

4. The Root of the Problem
The Treaty of Versailles
The treaty destroyed Germany economically and humiliated
the German people.
•The reparations cost
created huge debt
•The German government
tries to solve the problem
by printing more money
(mark)
•The mark becomes
worthless.

5. The Root of the Problem
The Treaty of Versailles
The treaty destroyed Germany economically and humiliated
the German people.
•The reparations cost
created huge debt
•The German government •Germany was forced to
tries to solve the problem accept blame for WWI
by printing more money •Because of the bad
(mark) economy most Germans
•The mark become were unemployed
worthless. •Germans couldn’t feed,
cloth, or shelter their
families.

6. The Root of the Problem
The Treaty of Versailles
Getting revenge never ends a
fight!

7. • Hyperinflation: Creating money with no
backing.
– Germany after WWI
1 Billion Mark, October 20, 1923 Reichsbanknote
Would buy…
¾ Pound of Meat, 3 eggs, or 1/6 Pound of
Butter.Bread is 670 Million Mark a loaf.

13. This was BEFORE the Great
Depression!

14. This was BEFORE the Great
Depression!

15. This was BEFORE the Great
Depression!
The US had been trying to
help Germany by loaning
money to the country to help
out the rest of Europe.

16. The International Financial Plan
1924-1930

17. The International Financial Plan
1924-1930

18. The International Financial Plan
1924-1930

19. When the US Economy
collapsed…

20. Soon after the Great Depression begins
around the world….
• Hitler is elected as Chancellor of Germany
• He is a charismatic speaker who captures the
imaginations and hearts of Germans
everywhere, just like a coach who rallies his
team.
• One of Hitler’s most powerful speeches was
given during his State of the Union Address in
1930

21. What would you do?
• Take out a piece of paper and write at least half of a
page telling me what you would have thought of
Hitler hearing his speeches. Would you have
believed and agreed with him?
• Remember your money is worth nothing, you
have no food or shelter, and you cannot provide
for your family.
• Also remember this was before WWII so you
don’t know about what is going to take place in
the future…