Within Germany
Once Hitler was in power, he worked towards restoring Germany's standing in the world and undoing the Treaty of Versailles. He rebuilt German armed forces beyond what was permitted. He spread propaganda throughout Germany, encouraging his racist beliefs. He also enacted groups such as the Hitler Youth to instill his ideas into the young of the country. By mid-July 1933, the Nazi party was the only party permitted in Germany.
“All of us, who are members of the Germanic peoples, can be happy and thankful that once in thousands of years fate has given us, from among the Germanic peoples, such a genius, a leader, our Fuehrer Adolf Hitler, and you should be happy to be allowed to work with us.” Heinrich Himmler |
"The babies were christened in a ritual in which an SS dagger was held over them as the mother swore allegiance to Nazi ideology." Russell Griggs |
Night of Long Knives
“The SA is, and remains, Germany’s destiny.” Ernst Rohm
The Night of Long Knives was a purge of Storm Troopers (SA) and other opponents of Hitler. Over 80 SA were arrested and shot without trial. Hitler claimed that this purge was necessary because of a plot by the SA to overthrow the government.
Foreign Policy
“Any alliance whose purpose is not the intention to wage war is senseless and useless.” Adolf Hitler
After Germany invaded Poland, Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. Nazi foreign policy had ignited World War II. The Nazi party then formed alliances with Japan and Italy in the Tripartie Pact of 1940. At the beginning of the war that followed, Hitler and the Nazis were fighting to gain control of Europe. By the end of the war, they were fighting to remain in existence.