Introduction
Adolf Hitler is one of the most controversial figures in modern history. He is renowned as the leader of Nazi Germany, the mastermind behind the Holocaust, and one of the most reviled men in the world. But where did this famous figure come from? To answer this question, we have to take a deep dive into his past and explore the formative circumstances of the leader’s life.
Early Life
Adolf Hitler was born on April 20th, 1889 in Braunau am Inn, Austria-Hungary. He was the fourth of five children in a conservative Roman Catholic family. His father, Alois Hitler, was a customs official, and his mother Klara was a former housemaid. His parents had a tumultuous relationship, with frequent arguments, and his father was reportedly quite strict and authoritarian.
Youth
Much of Hitler’s childhood remains a mystery, but historians have identified a few key elements that may have had an impact on his later life. First, Hitler is known to have been an eager patriot in his youth, even at the age of 12 he was singing the Austrian National Anthem and idolizing Austrian Emperor Franz Josef. Second, Hitler had some interest in art, though his father was less than enthused, and had him take up the more financially promising trade of architecture. Finally, it is accepted that Hitler experienced an anti-Semitic environment in his youth and was subject to the anti-Semitic sentiment of his father and the local inhabitants.
Motivations
How Hitler’s life led him down the path of becoming a political leader is still a topic of debate. Historians generally agree that the German Empire’s defeat in World War I, combined with latent anti-Semitic beliefs, were two key motivations for Hitler’s political ambitions. His disgust with the treaty of Versailles, which he blamed for Germany’s defeat, was also a major driving force behind Hitler’s policies. Tutor Peter Rauscher, who taught Hitler basic Xenology, politics and philosophy, likely also had some influence over his ideas.
Political Activism
Adolf Hitler began his political career in 1919, joining the German Workers’ party and soon becoming the leader. He changed the name of the party to the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) and adopted several anti-Semitic policies such as the expulsion of Jews from government positions. By 1920, the party was gaining traction in Germany and becoming increasingly popular with resigned German veterans. By this time, Hitler was a known public figure in Germany and his power was growing.
Hitler Rises to Power
In 1924, Adolf Hitler was incarcerated for his involvement in the unsuccessful Munich Beer Hall Putsch. During his stay in Poenichen Prison in 1924, he wrote Mein Kampf, a book outlining his plans for a revived German Reich. Upon his release, Hitler made a living as a speaker and become increasingly popular among German nationalists. He then used the Great Depression to his advantage, exploiting resentment of the Versailles Treaty by making promises of economic recovery, job creation and national pride. In 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany and was able to use his power as chancellor to escape the Treaty of Versailles and shape a new German Reich based on racial superiority and anti-Semitism.
The German Economy
Hitler’s strides to enforce Nazi influence on the German economy have had a great impact on the country’s growth and development leading to World War II. He taxed businesses and workers to fund campaigns for his party and financial redistribution plans for the German people. However, the efforts did not succeed in stimulating Germany’s economy or relieving the burden of unemployment which had skyrocketed in the wake of the Great Depression.
Rise of Nationalism
Adolf Hitler’s rise to power was also fueled by a strong sense of nationalist pride. He sought to restore German pride and influence by repudiating the constraints of the Treaty of Versailles and looking to rebuild something new, with him at its helm. Hitler used Nazi propaganda to spread his message of racial superiority and anti-Semitism throughout Germany and the wider world, helping to solidify his power as leader of Nazi Germany and inspiring generations of nationalists across the world.
The Holocaust
The Holocaust was Hitler’s most notorious achievement and is widely regarded as one of the greatest tragedies of all time. It has been estimated that 6 million Jews were murdered in concentration camps, brought about in large part due to Hitler’s anti-Semitic sentiments and the doctrine of racial supremacy. The Holocaust is a powerful reminder of the horrors of racism and prejudice, and the danger of having such unchecked power concentrated in one leader.
Religious Ties
Adolf Hitler’s ties to religion are often overlooked but deserve attention. Though raised Catholic, Hitler was not a particularly devout man and eventually rejected Catholicism. Despite being an atheist, Hitler used religion to serve his own political ambitions. He proposed the foundation of Positive Christianity, a movement that rejected any biblical doctrine that did not align with Nazi ideology. Positive Christianity was ultimately rejected by Germany’s major religious groups and Hitler kept it at arm’s length to preserve the appearance of religious neutrality.
Rise of Fascism
The term “Fascism” is often used to describe Hitler’s reign, and to his credit, Hitler did correlate his rule to the principle of Fascism, promoting unity and strength in his vision of the German people. The concept of Fascism is heavily rooted in the belief of a nation-state in which the state would serve as the defining factor of the people’s identity. Hitler sought to use this notion to unify Germany, and, as a result of his success in forging the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, he established himself as the leader of the Nazis and ushered in a sense of national pride.
Characteristics of Nazi Regime
The Nazi regime, under Adolf Hitler’s rule, possessed several key characteristics, such as militarization, nationalization, racism, and expansionist policies. Hitler sought to institute a totalitarian system under the guise of German nationhood, and he was largely successful in accomplishing this. The Nazi’s embraced militarization to restore German field prestige and to cultivate a sense of strength. Hitler wanted to create a highly centralized government structure, in which every sub-section of the government was unified with the central government. In addition, Nazis were known advocates of racism and expansionist policies, believing that Germany should be populated by an all-Aryan demographic and should expand its territory.
Hitler’s Final Years in Power
Adolf Hitler’s final years in power were characterized by extreme horror and destruction. He conducted a ruthless campaign against Russia and sunk millions into the military industry. Germany was eventually defeated in World War II, and Hitler committed suicide in April 1945. Despite his death, Hitler’s influence continues to be felt throughout the world today.
Hitler’s Legacy and Influence
Despite his death in 1945, Hitler and his legacy have had a lasting effect on our modern world. His systematic destruction of Jews and other minorities, as well as his relentless pursuit of military dominance and power, are seen as some of the greatest acts of atrocity in modern history. Unfortunately, hatred stemming from prejudice and racism continue to plague our world today, a consequence of Hitler’s legacy.
Early Influencers on Nazi Ideology
The development of Hitler’s ideology had been brewing long before he rose to power, and understanding the perspectives and influences that helped shape the Nazi’s initial ideology is essential to comprehending the Third Reich. Though Hitler definitely had his own ideas, several scholars have suggested that there may have been a few individuals and movements that influenced his ideology. Many have argued that the early Nazi platform was heavily influenced by the Pan-Germanic movement that sought to unite Germany with Austria and the völkisch movement which advocated for a unified German people of a single race. Additionally, historians have argued that the Schonerer movement, which sought to rid Austria of foreign influence, likely had some influence on Hitler’s views.
The Impact of WWI
Given the context of Hitler’s rise to power, the impact of World War I (WWI) is often credited as an important factor in developing Nazi ideology. WWI had a devastating effect on Germany, especially politically and economically. This led to a considerable amount of resentment among the German people and Hitler was able to capitalize on this sentiment and shape it into a political movement. Additionally, the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed harsh restrictions on Germany due to its loss in WWI, further stoked the anger of the German people. Hitler was able to direct this anger towards his political goals and fuel the development of Nazi ideology.
Unification of Germany and Austria
Hitler was also motivated by unification of Germany and Austria and the consolidation of German power. Hitler was born an Austrian and had an undying loyalty to the German people. He saw the union of Germany and Austria as a way to create a unified German state and a catalyst for his plans for racial superiority. This idea is seen in Mein Kampf, as he outlines his plans for Nazi Germany and calls for a unified German state across all territories.
Conclusion
Ultimately, Adolf Hitler’s rise to power is a complex story determined by the events of his past and the powerful forces of politics. His early life and related experiences greatly shaped his ideologies and beliefs, which were further bolstered by his nationalist passion and the turbulent times of WWI. Although Adolf Hitler is no longer alive, his legacy continues to serve as a warning of the dangers of unchecked power and hatred.
