The Enemy did not appear in an instant.

Shamed and made to pay a heavy penance for crimes in World War I, the German people were ready for a way out of their darkness. With an economy in ruins and great hardships endured during the years of the Great Depression, they were desperate for a leader who would give them hope and restore their pride. A motley group of revolutionaries promised to deliver that dream while planning to rule all by force.

In their distress, the people of Germany let them do it.

These select photos are taken from a propaganda history book titled "So kam es!," or "Thus It Came!" John brought this and other books back from Germany at the end of fighting.

This book's purpose was to show the history that brought the Nazis to power – from the point of view of the Nazis.

The source of their troubles were presented here – On June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed by the victorious Allies and ratified by the German democratic government. Germany was forced to accept responsibility for causing the war and pay vast war reparations for the damage. Germany also had to give up land and severely limit their military. The Treaty of Versailles humiliated Germany, and Hitler railed against the "November Criminals" and "Jewish Marxists."

January, 1921

A meeting in a Munich beer hall railing against the financial restraints of war reparations.