I always forget that they don't study world history in American schools.

WWII was a result of WWI. The allies punished Germany greatly - massive reparation required. The result was that Germans were suffering, and it was in that climate that Hitler arose. He created the 'volkswagen' which means the people's cars. He set up a lot of industry.

My late father told me that in the late 20s, the early 30s, inflation was so great that they carried a suitcase of money with them in the morning, and by afternoon, they needed two suitcases to buy the same thing! :)