Alabama Social Studies SS24.HOS.4

SS24.HOS.4 is a cluster heading. These are the individual standards under it.

• SS24.HOS.4a

  Analyze the Treaty of Versailles as a causal factor for the rise of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (Nazi Party), and explain how the Nazis appropr...

• SS24.HOS.4b

  Describe the Weimar Republic and the fragility of its democracy, and explain why Adolf Hitler was able to come to power.*

01

What Students Need to Do

Students trace how the Depression, weak Weimar coalitions, and emergency powers opened the way for Nazi rule. They explain how Nazis used anger over Versailles and false claims about Jews to build support. They track Hitler's appointment and the measures that stripped away democratic rights.

02

What Mastery Looks Like

Students place Hitler's 1933 appointment, the Reichstag Fire Decree, the Enabling Act, and the Nuremberg Laws in order. They explain how economic hardship and political weakness helped Nazis gain power without treating either as the only cause. They explain how Nazi leaders used lies about Jews to justify discrimination and violence.

03

Common Misconceptions

Some students think voters elected Hitler chancellor by a majority. President Hindenburg appointed him. Others treat Versailles as the only cause or mistake Nazi claims about Jews for facts rather than false scapegoating.

04

How to Assess It

Exit ticket: Explain how anger over Versailles, Depression unemployment, and one Weimar weakness helped Hitler gain power. Then name a 1933 measure that removed rights and explain how Nazis used false claims about Jews.

1. 01

   Pairs arrange event cards for Versailles, the 1929 crash, Hitler's appointment, the Enabling Act, Nuremberg Laws, and the 1938 pogrom; draw cause arrows.

2. 02

   Ask: How could Hindenburg appoint Hitler chancellor when the Nazis lacked a parliamentary majority, and how did emergency decrees change the stakes?

3. 03

   Run a card sort: match Versailles resentment, unemployment, and emergency decrees to specific Nazi tactics or weakened democratic checks.

4. 04

   Print Alabama's emergency management law and a translation of Article 48; students circle who could declare and end emergency powers in each.

• SS24.WH.9

  Summarize the conditions of the global Great Depression and explain how they led to the rise of totalitarian states and the weakening of democratic nations.

• SS24.HOS.11

  Summarize the events leading to the outbreak of World War II and how Germany’s actions violated the Treaty of Versailles.*

• SS24.HOS.7

  Describe how Jewish life deteriorated under the Third Reich in Germany and its annexed territories from 1933 to 1938.*