There are several factors that led to Hitler’s rise to power. Germany was a country in shambles. The Versailles Treaty depleted Germany of territory, forced exorbitant reparation payments, and robbed a great nation of its national pride. Not only was the treaty devastating to Germany but also the war itself took a toll on the people on the home front. Germany lost 15.1 percent of its active male population during the war and civilians were dying from malnutrition and poor sanitary conditions (23). Such was the atmosphere in January 1933 when Hitler becomes Chancellor and his Nazi Party wins 43.9 percent of the vote (a 25.6 percent jump from 1930). Hitler did not become “The Fuehrer” overnight. His views, shaped during his youth, were strengthened as a soldier after World War One when he felt the leaders of Germany betrayed the “Fatherland” and the Jewish agitators back home were the reason for Germany’s loss. (read full text…)