Adolf Hitler is one of the most infamous figures of the 20th century and his political career, including his rise to power, is well-known and studied extensively. However, how did Hitler change the previous government and what did he do to change it? This article will investigate his views and policies, their effects and how they shaped the German government during his reign.
Hitler rose to power during the early 1920s, following the end of World War I. The German economy at the time had been heavily destabilised by the war and the accompanying costs of war reparations had caused an economic crisis. As a result, many Germans were angry and looking for a leader who could bring stability and economic prosperity back to their country. Hitler was able to tap into these feelings of frustration and offer an alternative to the democratic government that had come before him.
Hitler quickly set out to make vast changes to the previous government. He set up an authoritarian single-party state in Germany and abolished many of the basic principles of democracy, such as freedom of speech, the rule of law and individual liberty. In addition to this, he began to pursue aggressive expansionist policies both domestically and abroad. He also worked to suppress political opposition and persecuted those who disagreed with his policies, particularly those of the Jewish faith.
Hitler’s policies had a huge impact on Germany, both at home and abroad. Domestically, he implemented new social and economic policies that were designed to re-stabilise the economy and bring prosperity to the German people. He worked to create jobs by investing heavily in infrastructure and supporting industry, as well as introducing new laws that protected workers. Abroad, Hitler pursued expansionist policies designed to take control of more territory and resources that could be used to support the German people.
The effects of Hitler’s rule eventually spread beyond Germany’s borders, leading to the Second World War and the Holocaust. His policies had a massive impact on Europe and the world as a whole, leading to the displacement of millions of people, the destruction of countless cities and the death of millions. Even after his death, his policies and actions continued to shape the world for many years to come.
Hitler’s actions and policies had a dramatic impact on the German government and many experts agree that the consequences of his rule were devastating. It can be argued that he effectively destroyed the previous government, replacing it with an authoritarian far-right regime that sought to suppress opposition and dominate its neighbours. This is a legacy that still lingers today and is one that is difficult to forget.
German People’s Support of Hitler
It is impossible to talk about Hitler’s rise to power and the changes he made to the previous government without taking into account the German people’s role in supporting it. Hitler’s policies were generally very popular with the German people and most were willing to overlook, or even support, the more extreme elements of his rule. Indeed, the fact that he was able to remain in power for as long as he did is due in no small part to the strong public support for his actions and policies.
Hitler was able to instil a sense of pride and nationalistic fervour in the German people, and many embraced this new sense of national identity. This allowed him to use popular sentiment to justify his policies, both domestically and abroad. Moreover, he was able to manipulate the media and public opinion by carefully controlling the narrative, ensuring that his version of events was the one heard and remembered by the majority of the German people.
Hitler was also able to foster a sense of loyalty amongst sections of the German population, particularly the youth. His policies in regards to education, sport and culture appealed to the younger generations, who were eager for change and a sense of belonging. This allowed him to bring sections of the population on board who otherwise may have rejected his more extreme policies.
Nazi Propaganda
Nazi Propaganda was another key factor that helped Hitler to maintain power and severely altered the course of the German government. It played a key role in swaying public opinion and mobilising the population to support his policies. Hitler realised the power of the press and used it to his advantage, propagating messages that tapped into feelings of national pride and garnering support for his regime.
The Nazi’s approach to propaganda was highly effective, as it relied on imagery and emotions to evoke the desired response in its target audience. Moreover, it played upon fear, patriotism and nationalistic pride, while painting Hitler as a saviour who could bring Germany back from the brink of disaster. By painting a vivid picture of a Germany that was safer, richer and more powerful, the Nazi’s were able to win the hearts and minds of many Germans.
In addition to this; Hitler also realised the power of controlling the narrative and the importance of controlling what was said about him and his regime. This is why he worked hard to control the media, cracking down on dissenting voices and controlling the news agenda. By doing this, he was able to ensure that his own version of the truth was heard, allowing him to shape public opinion in favour of his policies.
Impact of Hitler’s Changes
Overall, it is clear that Hitler was able to drastically change the course of the German government by introducing authoritarian policies and tapping into popular sentiment. His popularity among the German people allowed him to remain in power and pursue his most extreme policies. The effects of his rule were devastating and the consequences are still felt today. It is clear that the changes he made were far-reaching and had a huge impact on the politics of Europe and the world.
In terms of his impact on the German government, it is clear that he had a profound effect on the country. By taking control of every aspect of life, from the economy to education and culture, he effectively replaced the previous government with an authoritarian regime. This new regime was highly oppressive and showed little tolerance for dissent, but it was also highly effective in achieving its goals.
Overall, Hitler’s changes to the German government were undeniably drastic and had a massive impact on the country and the world. It is difficult to say whether or not they were beneficial or detrimental, as the results of his changes are still felt to this day. Nevertheless, it is clear that Hitler was able to change the course of the German government and his legacy is still present in the politics of today.
Hitler’s Policies Encouraging Expansionism
Hitler’s actions as German Chancellor also enabled aggressive expansionism, as he believed that Germany could only be a true power if it had control of more territory and resources. To this effect, he pursued policies such as the forcible annexation of Austria and the invasion of Poland, both of which would lead to the outbreak of the Second World War. Moreover, his embrace of National Socialism and its militant outlook enabled him to justify his expansionist policies in the name of a greater Germanic empire.
In addition to this, Hitler’s policies also encouraged other nations to pursue their own aggressive ambitions. As Germany began to seize control of more territory, other countries such as Britain and France began to fear that they too would fall victim to Hitler’s expressionism. This fear helped contribute to the build-up of tensions and the eventual descent into all-out war.
Overall, it is clear that Hitler’s actions enabled the expansionism that would eventually lead to the Second World War. His policies encouraged other countries to engage in a race for resources and this was the main cause of the subsequent conflict. It is often said that it was Hitler’s actions that brought about the Second World War, and it is this legacy that he will be remembered for.
Alliances of Hitler
Hitler also sought to expand Germany’s influence by forging alliances with other countries. He was able to do this by playing on a combination of nationalistic pride and fear of a common enemy. For example, he was able to forge an alliance with Italy by convincing Mussolini that an alliance with Germany was the only way to prevent a future war with the Soviet Union. Similarly, he was able to convince Japan to join the Axis Powers by pointing to the potential of uniting against a common enemy.
In addition to this, Hitler was also able to utilise existing tensions between countries to his advantage. He was able to exploit divisions between the Western powers of France and Britain to push through his agenda and increase German influence. This allowed him to take control of more territory, while also sowing divisions between rival countries. Ultimately, his alliances served to further cement his power, while at the same time increasing Germany’s influence on the world stage.
Hitler was also able to benefit from the divisions within other countries. For example, his alliance with the Soviet Union enabled him to cover his flank while he conducted military campaigns against France and Britain. This allowed him to attack these countries while also ensuring that the Soviet Union would not intervene.
Hitler’s Legacy
Overall, it is clear that Hitler’s actions had a massive influence on the German government and had a lasting impact on the world. He was able to take control of the country, ushering in a period of authoritarian rule that would be devastating for the German people. His policies enabled aggressive expansionism, led to the Second World War, and ultimately resulted in the death of millions of people. This legacy still lingers today and it is a reminder of the terrible consequences of unchecked power.
At the same time, however, it is important to remember that not all of Hitler’s changes to the German government were necessarily bad. While his policies were extreme and often oppressive, they allowed Germany to become a superpower, paving the way for the country’s resurgence in the post-war years. Moreover, some of his policies, such as his investment in infrastructure, were beneficial and allowed the country to recover from the devastation of the war.
Ultimately, it is impossible to deny the effect that Hitler had on the German government and the world as a whole. His actions led to the death of millions and caused immense suffering. However, it is also important to remember that he was able to use popular sentiment and justify his actions to a large number of German people. His legacy is one of destruction but also one of resilience, as it was due to his actions that Germany was able to rise from the ashes and become one of the most powerful countries of the modern age.
