Rise of Dictators

The Treaty of Versailles and the Weimar Republic

• The harsh terms of the Treaty of Versailles led to resentment in Germany.
• The Weimar Republic was established in 1919 but faced many challenges, including political instability and economic problems.

The Great Depression and the Rise of the Nazi Party

• The Great Depression hit Germany hard, leading to high unemployment and economic hardship.
• The Nazi Party, led by **Adolf Hitler**, capitalized on the discontent and promised to restore German pride and power.

Hitler's Rise to Power

• The Nazis gained increasing support in the early 1930s, becoming the largest party in the Reichstag (German parliament).
• In 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, and he quickly consolidated his power and established a dictatorship.

The Nazi Regime

• The Nazis implemented a policy of **Gleichschaltung**, which involved the elimination of all political opposition and the establishment of a totalitarian state.
• The Nazis also pursued a policy of racial discrimination and the persecution of minorities, particularly the **Jewish population**.