AIM: Why Didn’t the German People Try to
Stop Hitler?
Do Now: Read the quote below then write
down what you think. Is this a true statement?
Why or Why not?
“All it takes for evil to
succeed is for good people
to remain uninvolved!”
What do you think you would have done if you were in
Germany? Would you have spoken up or would you have
remained silent? Explain your answer.
Review: Life Under Nazi Rule
As you watch the
video think about the
Aim and the Do Now!
Jews were forced to wear the star of David in Nazi Germany,
so that they could be easily identified.
The Germans used the Jewish badge, often in the form of a yellow Star of David, to
harass and isolate the Jews. In that way, they were able to create a wide rift between
the Jews and the rest of the population. Why did Germans and others allow this to
happen?
So, what are some of the reasons you think so many
people in Germany may have remained silent?
Remember, Hitler didn’t take over Germany overnight.
•Hitler tries to gain power in 1923 but his plan fails and he is arrested.
•When he gets out of prison in 1924 he revives the Nazi Party.
•Hitler gains power in 1933 by being appointed Chancellor.
•Hitler passed the Nuremberg laws in 1935.
•Nazi’s carry out Kristallnacht (Night of Broken Glass) in 1938.
He started by making promises
Remember
•He promised to stabilize
the economy.
•He promised to
strengthen the military.
Indoctrination
The indoctrination process
to turn Germans against
Jews took time.
Indoctrination = the
teaching of ideologies
(ideas).
Also, Hitler could manipulate huge audiences with his fiery oratory (speech). Making
speeches was crucial to Hitler. He believed: “All great world shaking events have
been bought about… by the spoken word!”
Hitler Used Propaganda!
Propaganda = information or material spread to advance a
cause or to damage an opponent.
He wanted more than just economic and political power. He also wanted to control
every aspect of German life. To shape public opinion and to win praise for his
leadership, Hitler turned the press, radio, literature, painting, and film into propaganda
tools.
Use the photograph of Adolf Hitler and your
knowledge of world history to answer the questions below.
Q. Why do you think Hitler had his photograph taken
with this little girl?
A. to demonstrate his power
B. to frighten his enemies
C. to make him appear more human
D. to demonstrate his hatred for the Jews
Q. How do you think this photograph made
Germans feel in the beginning?
A. Angry
B. Fearful
C. Optimistic
D. Upset
IN CLASS TASK:
Read handout, Why Didn’t the German
People try to Stop Hitler?
Complete documents # 1and 2
Homework: Read and Complete Handout,
Economic Depression and it’s
Consequences.
Reading Review
Document # 1
1. What did Andre’s family lose by leaving Germany?
2. What did Andre’s family gain by leaving Germany?
3. Why doesn’t Andre’s family protest to the
Government about this problem?
4. “Running from a problem instead of fixing it is a sign
of a coward.” In the case of Andre and his family,
is this true?
5. If you were Andre, what decision would you have
made? (Be Honest!)
Reading Review
Document # 2
The following quote is from Father Niemoller, a German Lutheran
Protestant priest who was sent to a concentration camp for publicly
speaking out against the Nazi’s. He later dies in the prison camp of
Auschwitz.
“When they came for the Gypsies, I did not speak up because I was not a Gypsy.
When they came for the homosexuals, I did not speak up because I was not a
homosexual.
When they came for the Jews, I did not speak up because I was not a Jew.
When they came for the Communist, I did not speak up because I was not a
Communist.
When they came for the Catholics, I did not speak up because I was a Protestant.
And when they finally came for me, there was no one left to speak up.”
What is the moral of Father Niemoller’s message?