History of Germany

German History: The Cradle of the Third Reich2
The history of Germany is colorful and varied, tracing back to nordic roots; giving birth to Martin Luther's Reformation and giving root to the modern concept of the University. Rising from Prussian Military-Sovereignty, the turn of the century saw the fruition of a new renaissance of the Arts on all levels; a movement that was to end abruptly in less than 50 years with the dismissal of all Jewish Artists, Musicians, Performers and Writers and their supporters and defenders.

The twentieth century in Germany brought radical changes. Turning essentially from a monarchy (the Kaisers) after WWI, and ending in near financial and socio-political ruin, Germany was in shambles. Over 30 political parties were vying for power. Foreign powers such as the US whose bankers had made large loans to German interests, were calling in their markers, and demanding quick repayment to short-term loans. This condition worsened the situation coupled with high unemployment which mostly hurt the working class. The answer for some was a republic form of government, established as "The Weimar Republic". The Weimar government was weak and fractioned, though, and the German public blamed the WR for its suffering. It was into this atmosphere that a young Adolf Hitler and his radical Brown Shirts entered the scene.

At first, they were laughable and had no power. They were known for their violence, extremism and censorship coupled with "law and order" platform. Several had been in prison over the incident referred to as "The Night of Long Knives".3and the Beer-Hall Putsch, a violent attempted coup in Bavaria which preceded Adolf Hitler's imprisonment and authorship of Mein Kampf.


FOOTNOTES:

1 Banks, A.s.; Day,A. J.; Muller, t.C.;Phelan, S.M.; Tallman, E., eds.Political Handbook of the World: 1995-1996
(New York: CSA Publications: State University of New York-Binghamton,1996)
2_. The History of Modern GermanyNY:
3 Thalman:Krystallnacht,

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Shoah Education Web Project.