They Thought They Were Free: The Germans 1933-45

In the aftermath of World War II, many people wondered how the German people could have allowed the Nazi regime to come to power and carry out its horrific crimes. In his book *They Thought They Were Free*, Milton Mayer attempts to answer this question by telling the story of ten ordinary German citizens who lived through the Nazi era.

They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933–45

by Milton Sanford Mayer

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1573 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	392 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE

Mayer's subjects are a diverse group of people, including a doctor, a teacher, a businessman, a housewife, and a factory worker. They come from different backgrounds and have different political beliefs, but they all share one thing in common: they were all swept up in the Nazi movement and became supporters of the regime.

Mayer's book is a powerful and moving account of the human cost of Nazism. Through the stories of his subjects, Mayer shows how ordinary people can be swayed to support a totalitarian regime. He also shows how the Nazi regime was able to use propaganda and terror to control the German people.

Ultimately, Mayer's book is a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism. He shows how a seemingly ordinary society can be transformed into a nightmare in a matter of years. His book is a reminder that we must never take our freedoms for granted.

The Rise of the Nazi Party

The Nazi Party was founded in 1919 by Adolf Hitler. In the early years, the party was a small and insignificant group. However, the party's fortunes began to change after the Great Depression hit Germany in 1929. The Depression caused widespread unemployment and poverty, and many Germans were looking for a scapegoat. The Nazi Party was able to exploit this anger and resentment, and it quickly gained support.

In 1933, the Nazi Party won the largest number of seats in the Reichstag, the German parliament. Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany, and he quickly began to consolidate his power. The Nazi regime quickly passed a series of laws that restricted the rights of Jews and other minorities. The regime also began to build up the military and prepare for war.

The Outbreak of World War II

In 1939, Germany invaded Poland, which started World War II. The war was a disaster for Germany, and it resulted in the deaths of millions of people. The Nazi regime was eventually defeated in 1945.

The Legacy of the Nazi Regime

The Nazi regime was one of the most evil regimes in history. The regime was responsible for the deaths of millions of people, and it caused untold suffering. The legacy of the Nazi regime is still felt today, and it is a reminder of the dangers of totalitarianism.

*They Thought They Were Free* is a powerful and moving account of the human cost of Nazism. Mayer's book is a warning about the dangers of totalitarianism, and it is a reminder that we must never take our freedoms for granted.

They Thought They Were Free: The Germans, 1933–45

by Milton Sanford Mayer

4.6 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1573 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
X-Ray	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	392 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE