Hitler's rise to power
Establish historical significance
Key Learning Activity:
Students will undertake this key learning activity after having explored the various conditions in Germany between 1919-1933. In order to establish how Hitler was able to come to power and establish a single-party state, it is vital that students can discern between the multiple factors that are seen to have enabled this historical phenomenon. Many students simply recall that it was the Treaty of Versailles and the Great Depression that ‘caused’ Hitler, however, the reality is nuanced in complexities. For example, the Great Depression was a global occurrence, therefore, it cannot solely explain why Germany was left with an authoritarian state and other severely impacted nations were not.
Therefore in this activity, students will discuss many factors in Germany between 1919-1933 and then evaluate and rank what causes or factors were more historically significant than others.
Instructions:
Students will be provided with 9 cards; each one will detail a different factor in Hitler’s rise to power. (See below)
In small groups:
1. Discuss and define/elaborate each of the cards (ie. what examples of different economic crises occured during this period that should be included in our discussion? Reparations, hyperinflation etc.)
2. Rank each card in a diamond formation, in order from most significant to least significant, as a factor in Hitler's rise to power.
3. To the class, each group needs to justify their decision, using evidence, to the rest of the class. (ie. "We decided the Treaty of Versailles was the most significant reason in Hitler's rise to power because...")
4. Individually, students are to write a one page response to the question: "Why did Hitler come to power in Germany in 1933"?
Students will undertake this key learning activity after having explored the various conditions in Germany between 1919-1933. In order to establish how Hitler was able to come to power and establish a single-party state, it is vital that students can discern between the multiple factors that are seen to have enabled this historical phenomenon. Many students simply recall that it was the Treaty of Versailles and the Great Depression that ‘caused’ Hitler, however, the reality is nuanced in complexities. For example, the Great Depression was a global occurrence, therefore, it cannot solely explain why Germany was left with an authoritarian state and other severely impacted nations were not.
Therefore in this activity, students will discuss many factors in Germany between 1919-1933 and then evaluate and rank what causes or factors were more historically significant than others.
Instructions:
Students will be provided with 9 cards; each one will detail a different factor in Hitler’s rise to power. (See below)
In small groups:
1. Discuss and define/elaborate each of the cards (ie. what examples of different economic crises occured during this period that should be included in our discussion? Reparations, hyperinflation etc.)
2. Rank each card in a diamond formation, in order from most significant to least significant, as a factor in Hitler's rise to power.
3. To the class, each group needs to justify their decision, using evidence, to the rest of the class. (ie. "We decided the Treaty of Versailles was the most significant reason in Hitler's rise to power because...")
4. Individually, students are to write a one page response to the question: "Why did Hitler come to power in Germany in 1933"?