Develop knowledge and understanding:
To deepen student knowledge and challenge common misunderstandings, in this chapter they will learn:
- About who the Nazis were and their key ideas.
- How and why many Germans willingly supported Hitler and the Nazis.
- About how the Nazis falsely and unfairly blamed Jews for many of Germany’s problems.
- That Hitler and the Nazis did not seize power by force but were invited into government.
Challenge myths and misconceptions:
Here is a summary of the key myths and misconceptions that we identified in our research and that we are aiming to challenge through this textbook chapter content and its supporting materials:
- Jews were to blame for the crises in interwar Germany
- Hitler and the Nazis seized power in Germany by force
Should you choose to share these with students it is very important to be clear that these are false statements and they need to be taught about with sensitivity and skill.
Access the research briefing that is relevant to this textbook chapter content here:
Research briefing 2: Agency and responsibility
Support for in chapter activities:
Support for Activity p. 22: ‘Why did Hitler become the leader of Germany in 1933?’
Use resource sheet 2.1.1 to help students to organise their knowledge of understanding of the appeal of the Nazi party, rising levels of support for the Nazis during the Great Depression and how and why Hitler becomes the leader of Germany in January 1933.
DOWNLOAD: Resource sheet 2.1.1
Additional resources for students:
https://www.theholocaustexplained.org/the-nazi-rise-to-power/
https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/the-nazi-rise-to-power
Additional resources for teachers:
Further reading materials:
Evans, R, J. (2004) The Coming of the Third Reich: How the Nazis destroyed democracy and seized power in Germany. Penguin.
Noakes, J and Pridham, G. (1983 – 1998) Nazism 1919 – 1945. A documentary reader, 4 volumes. University of Exeter press.
Pridham, G. (2016) Hitler’s Rise to Power: The Nazi Movement in Bavaria 1923 – 33. Lume Books.
Reece, L. (2012) The Nazis: A warning from History. BBC Books.