The Center of the World (1928-1933)

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1929 -- the Great Depression begins further impoverishing the less fortunate Germans. This puts great pressure on the ill-equipped Weimar democracy. 1932 -- unemployment is now extremely high. The fascist private army, the SA, with its brownshirts spreads violence in city streets. The Nazi Party makes headway in elections. 1933. Hitler becomes Reich Chancellor. The Reichstag burns and the fascists blame it on the communists. Hitler gets sweeping powers to handle the "threat". This finishes the weak Weimar Republic. A reign of terror begins giving Hitler all the power. Eduard, Paul's younger brother, has developed tuberculosis and he is sent to Berlin for special treatment. He is a little slow emotionally, often appearing way too naive about life. Standing outside a brothel, some of the prostitutes strike up a conversation with Eduard. He seems so sweet and innocent that they invite him into the house. Eduard has no idea where he is, but he enjoys the attention that he receives. The madam Lucie takes an almost immediate liking to him and she has sex with Eduard. Eduard unknowingly misleads Lucie into thinking that he is a member of the landed gentry. Lucie almost immediately marries Eduard. Hitler is starting to become more well-known and powerful in Germany. The villagers get excited about celebrating Hitler's birthday. It seems the only one with any real sense in the village is Katharina Simon, the mother of Paul. She is a down-to-earth, no nonsense woman with a big loving heart for her own children and other people. Katharina is very skeptical of this Hitler character and she decides to get of the village rather than stick around for the Hitler worship. She visits her brother in Bochum. Her nephew Fritz is said to be a communist and he is arrested and sent to a camp where he is to be "reeducated". Katharina takes Fritz's young daughter, blond-headed Lotti, with her back to Schabbach as part of her family. Back home Katharina is further upset with all the Hitler mania. She asks her grandson Anton to tell everyone he has a weak heart and to never put on any kind of fascist-inspired uniform.