to get Germany out of debt and help it become a powerful nation again. The German people were quickly influenced by the promises and the Nazi party grew rapidly as Hitler gained power in the government(Wepman 65). TheWeimar Republic began at the end of 1918, two days before the First World War ended. It was not strong from the start because it had signed the dreaded Versailles Treaty. People felt Germany had been stabbed in the back by the government, so there was a lot of political unrest. Then the Great Depression set in and there was economic turmoil as well. No one believed in the Weimar Republic anymore. This boosted the Nazi Party’s membership(Toland 349). In 1921, Hitler gained control of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party and changed the name to the Nazi Party. From 1921 to 1923, the membership grew from a mere 6,000 people to 50,000. Hitler worked to win the support of the peasants, workers, middle class, and some of the wealthy business leaders by promising order, unity, strength and a better life for all. Hitler became the Chancellor of Germany in 1933 and later earned a dictatorship, which allowed him to establish a fascist state known as the Third Reich. Opposers of the Nazi Party were rounded up by the Gestapo, the secret police, and many of them were murdered. Nazis extended their control over every aspect of people’s lives and through propaganda, they kept people happier. Thus was the beginning of the campaign against the Jews and others, known as the “Inferior Beings.” The previous conditions of life in Germany had successfully opened the door for the Nazi Party to take over and exhibit their power as they did. Nationalism in Germany played a major part in setting the stage for someone to take over. Germany had been a country made through nationalistic tactics, led by Bismarck, and was a very proud country. When Germany lost W.W.I, they were humbled. The Versaill...
