Psychological Evaluations of Hitler
In ‘The Mind of Adolf Hitler: The Secret Wartime Report’, the authors present an analysis of Hitler’s psychological and physical traits. The report was commissioned by U.S. intelligence during the war and was written by a team of psychiatrists and psychoanalysts. The report concluded Hitler was a ‘genuinely sick’ and ‘psychopathic’ man. Important observations made include a dislike for authority and an intense identification with Germanism and its mythology.
Based on the observations of his closest collaborators, the report also suggested he was reluctant to take personal responsibility for losing the war and saw himself as uniquely capable of solving Germany’s problems. His hope that one day Germany would redeem him from his previous failure constituted a large part of his motive for power.
Hitler’s Childhood
A widely accepted and discussed factor contributing to Hitler’s pathology was his poor development as a child. His father was said to have been a strict disciplinarian and instilled in young Adolf a deep feeling of insecurity. His mother, on the other hand, was said to have been a loving and compassionate figure. She was the one to try to protect young Adolf.
Many experts believe that Hitler had unresolved emotional issues thus resulting in the tremendous amount of resentment and hate directed throughout his lifetime. In fact, some psychiatrists believe that Hitler repressed anger and resentment towards his father. This could be a major driving force behind the aggressive expansion of Nazi party and later the war against Europe.
Was Hitler Antisemitic?
Hitler’s antisemitism and hostility towards anyone he deemed inferior has been well-documented. However, it remains unclear if he was truly an irredeemable antisemite or if it was an overt expression of his repressed hatred for his tyrannical father.
While it is possible that such hatred for the Jews was developed during his childhood, some experts believe it was reinforced in adulthood. For example, while in prison in 1923, Hitler read the ‘Protocols of the Elders of Zion’ and was further convinced of the global Jewish conspiracy.
Whether or not some of his views were formed in his childhood or fortified in adulthood, one thing is certain; Hitler’s feelings towards the Jews were heavily intertwined with his feelings of personal failure and insecurity.
Psychologically Explaining Hitler’s Actions
Although the rationalization of the atrocities of Hitler is obviously impossible to do, some have sought after an explanation of what drove him to become one of the most notorious figures in history. A lot of evidence suggests that psychological vulnerability and personal guilt constituted a major part of Hitler’s drive for power.
On top of this, many see his extreme racial policies as an expression of Hitlers intense feelings of insecurity and inadequacy. Throughout his speech and policy making there are undeniable traces of scapegoating and seeking a sense of grandeur to gain acceptance.
Real Impact of His Actions
Whatever the psychological motivations behind the tragedies of Hitler, there is no denying the millions of victims of the allied tyranny and persecution which happened as a result of his rule.
Owing to the inhumane and oppressive Nazi policies throughout the whole of Germany, millions were subject to years of suffering, pain and tragedy and left in the aftermath of World War Two.
The direct victims were millions of Jewish people, whose lives were lost and oppressed under Nazi rule, but the impact of the war and Hitler’s actions affected billions of people in many countries.
Modern Interpretations
Some modern theories suggest that Hitler was not solely responsible for his actions, due to the overwhelming historical context which formed Germany in his lifetime.
Evidence also suggests that other countries could have also adopted policies with similar effects during the same time. In this view, rather than attributing responsibility to Hitler, the political leaders of Germany can also be seen as being partly responsible for allowing such destruction and segregation to happen on a nation-wide scale.
Remembrance of Hitler and Its Impact
Due to his influential and prominent position, the legacy of Hitler is still impacts the German public. This is prevalent, especially amongst the people who lived under his rule.
Although Germany recently marked the 75th anniversary of the end of Second World War, a part of the population still remembers the horrors of the authoritarian rule of the Nazi party and its tragic consequences.
Hitler’s long-reaching effects have been deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of German society and it is, as such, impossible to erase the nightmares of the war and the dictatorship.
Conclusion of Studies
Ultimately, it is impossible to ever truly know what was going on in the mind of Hitler. We can only speculate and make educated guesses based on his career, his speech and the accounts of people who knew him first-hand.
It is clear, however, that the psychological motivations behind his appalling deeds, were enormous, and signify a deeply disturbed individual. Hopefully, one day, more evidence will emerge which can help us gain a better and fuller understanding of Hitler’s motivations and mental state.
