While Germany feared decline, the League of Nations was established. For reparation payments, Germany printed excess money, resulting in hyperinflation, with four billion marks equaling one USD. During this struggle, a veteran of WWI, Adolf Hitler gained popularity through the Nazi Party by communicating hope to the Germans, criticizing the Treaty of Versailles, stating, “The Peace Treaty of Versailles did not seem to be for the purpose of restoring peace to mankind, but rather to perpetuate hatred." (Douglas 2016, pg. 83)
"German Marks Value Graph," Alpha History, circa 2000
"Nothing but death can stop me now," Granger Historical Picture Archive, 1939
"Hitler's Mein Kampf Book," 'British Broadcasting Corporation, 1939
Hitler attempted to overthrow the government; however, failed and was jailed. In jail, Hitler wrote, “Mein Kampf” or My Struggle, a book communicating hatred toward the Treaty of Versailles and discrimination against Jews (anti-Semitism) by stating, “ The Jews were responsible for bringing Negroes into the Rhineland, with the ultimate idea of bastardizing the white race which they hate and thus lowering its cultural and political level so that the Jew might dominate. For as long as a people remain racially pure and are conscious of the treasure of their blood, they can never be overcome by the Jew. Never in this world can the Jew become master of any people except a bastardized people.” (Hitler 1925, chap. 11)
"Great Depression in Germany," TimelinesTV, circa 1929
"Unempolyment Statistics in Germany (by the millions)," Ark John Keats Academy, circa 2000
"Germany Shall Never Be Encircled," PUNCH Photo Shelter, 1939
In 1929, the German Great Depression hit after the US suspended loans, leaving millions unemployed. After getting parole, Hitler used the Depression to seize power. His popularity encouraged President Paul von Hindenburg to appoint him Germany’s Head (Chancellor). Hitler violated the Treaty of Versailles, by remilitarizing, creating military jobs and dropping unemployment by 50%. After Hindenburg died, the Nazis declared Hitler dictator. Hitler focused on global domination to demonstrate Germany’s power to France and Britain, whose power was expressed through the Treaty of Versailles’s articles of communication. Hitler conquered nations surrounding Germany while the shrinking League of Nations remained motionless due to membership loss.
"Interview with Holocaust Survivor," Forces News, 2020
"World War II Veteran Interview," Memoirs of WWII, 2020