Rise Of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler’s rise to power was one of the 20th century’s darkest and most disturbing events. The infamous dictator of Nazi Germany and the instigator of World War II, Hitler’s ambitions took a downtrodden Germany and raised a nation from recession to a fearful superpower. But what made Hitler a bad leader?
Hitler was an unconventionally gifted orator, delivering fiery and impassioned speeches. His grasp on the power of propaganda was legendary and he used it to his advantage to gain loyalty from his citizens and rouse nationalism. A heavily edited video of Hitler preaching to a packed stadium in Berlin refers to the power of such events to display his authority and add weight to his words.
The dangers of Hitler’s charisma and powerful rhetoric were compounded by his poor management skills and an eagerness to take decisions without proper consideration of the consequences. Historians have noted that Hitler suffered from a lack of moderation or self-control, which often led to impulsive decisions and unsound judgement. This was seen in the declaration of war against the United States, which resulted in Germany’s defeat in World War II.
Hitler also revealed a tyrannical attitude towards those who opposed him. He was prepared to stoop to personal vendettas and cruel punishments. Hitler also had an extreme disregard for human life and a shocking disregard for the rule of law or consideration of international opinion. As well as committing some of the worst atrocities in human history, his policies led to the elimination of millions of people in a horrific plague of genocide.
Overall, Adolf Hitler is considered a bad leader because of his dictatorial rule, his disregard for the law, his flawed judgment and his dictatorial power, which he used to take drastic and often tragic steps in order to acquire power and control his people.
Legacy Of Adolf Hitler
Hitler’s legacy has been an intensely debated topic in the modern era. From his rise to power in 1933, to the eventual fall of his regime in 1945 with the conclusion of the Second World War, Hitler has left a long-lasting impression on the world.
Hitler’s most significant legacy is arguably the death and destruction he inflicted on millions, as he sought to create and maintain a totalitarian regime. Historians report that as many as sixty million people were killed in the Holocaust, a genocide orchestrated by Nazi Germany under the leadership of Hitler.
As well as the physical impact of his rule, Hitler has had a significant psychological impact on world history. The actions of one man have so profoundly impacted the course of time, leading to subsequent events such as the creation of the United Nations and the establishment of the State of Israel, in an effort to prevent genocide from ever occurring again.
Despite his catastrophic rule, there is evidence to suggest that Hitler also made beneficial changes to Germany’s infrastructure during his period of control. He attempted to modernize the country by investing in railroads and highways, as well as developing military technology and weaponry.
Even though Hitler had a positive impact on certain aspects of Germany, his legacy has since been furrowed with negativity, desecration, and pain. His lasting legacy is forever tarnished by his atrocities to innocent people, the suffering of innocent victims, and the scars that were left on the world following World War Two.
Influence Of Adolf Hitler
It is no exaggeration to say that Hitler’s influence extended throughout the world. His impact on politics was wide-ranging and his presence still lingers in many countries to this day.
Hitler’s influence was felt in many totalitarian regimes, including in countries such as North Korea, Iran and Iraq, who adopted some of his strategies and methods in order to maintain control of their people.
In a more direct sense, many countries adopted elements of Hitler’s tactics, from his extraordinary public speaking and nationalistic rhetoric, to his disregard for the law. The United Kingdom has looked to Nazi Germany as an example of how to conduct itself in wartime, the United States drew on the Nazi experience when establishing its infrastructure in occupied countries and Hitler’s decisive style of leadership has been adopted by politicians in many different countries.
Hitler’s influence has extended beyond the political sphere. Hitler’s blind faith in extreme nationalism has infiltrated the fabric of many cultures, creating a rigid divide between the people of one country and those of another. This was seen in the aftermath of the Second World War, when countries whose citizens were former allies rallied behind the banner of their own nation and ostracised those from another.
Moreover, the perspective of the ‘Jewish people’ as the ‘enemy’ has been adopted by certain political parties, in extreme cases even leading to violence. Hitler’s calling of Jews as a ‘disease’ or a ‘cancer’ accelerated this hatred towards them.
Psychology Behind Adolf Hitler
Hitler’s conduct during his rule and his increasingly violent tendencies were attributed to a mixture of psychological, political and social factors. Historians and psychologists have argued that his adherence to extreme nationalism and his authoritarian grip on power were both influences of his complex psychological makeup.
It is believed that Hitler’s personal beliefs were shaped by his father’s death when he was just 14. The sudden and traumatic loss had a profound effect on him, and following this period, Hitler became uncharacteristically detached from school and family life, and began spending more time alone.
Hitler’s loner lifestyle was soon filled with fervent nationalist thought and a belief in the superiority of the German race. This transformation was nurtured by his belief in his own prophetic ability, claiming that a higher power had selected him to alter the destiny of his nation and his people. This, combined with his vehement anti-Semitism, enabled Hitler to create an alluring message to the masses, and transform his newly acquired following into a feared political force.
Hitler’s views were further emboldened when he moved to Vienna. Due to the frequent rejection of his talents and ambitions, Hitler became embittered and angry. He grew increasingly resentful of those deemed as ‘enemies’ of the German nation, leading to a further exacerbation of his mental state, and a further development of his hardened world view.
Implications Of Adolf’s Rule Today
The implications of Hitler’s rule have been far-reaching and long-lasting. An entire generation of innocent people have suffered as a result of his actions and ideas, and the effects of his policy remain a pressing issue to this day.
Many countries in Europe still carry the scars and remnants of his rule. In the wake of the Second World War and the fall of Nazi Germany, the region was divided into East and West, creating a split between Soviet and American interests in the region. This created the Cold War, during which the threat of nuclear war was high and neighbor nations found themselves suspicious and fearful of opposing countries.
In addition, there have been a multitude of changes in how wars are fought and what is deemed acceptable. In reaction to the tragedies of World War Two, laws of war were established in an effort to ensure that such an event could not take place again. The United Nations and the International Criminal Court were created to bring countries together and ensure that acts of aggression were not repeated.
Moreover, there have been numerous changes in how the international community interacts with each other. Countries communicate with one another in order to ensure that the immense destruction and suffering caused by Hitler’s rule does not happen again.
Conclusion
Adolf Hitler was an iconic and polarizing figure of the twentieth century. His rise to power as a dictator, involvement in World War II, and his terrible treatment of minorities, have had a lasting and devastating impact on the world. His influence on politics is still prevalent today, even if indirectly, and it is clear that his actions will remain a poignant reminder of the suffering of those affected by his rule for many years to come.
