Adolph Hitler was appointed as Chancellor of Germany in 1933 following the resignation of President Paul von Hindenburg. It was Hindenburg who had appointed Hitler as Chancellor of the country, believing that he would find a resolution to the rising Nazi support. However, it was not until the death of Hindenburg in 1934, that Adolph Hitler was voted the President of Germany. This vote was successful due to the merging of the offices of Chancellor and President by the Enabling Act.
Hitler’s time in office was characterised by propaganda, persecution of Jews and other minorities, and German expansionism. He used his President’s powers to give himself control over almost all aspects of German politics, including the police and army, judiciary, labor unions and cultural organisations. This allowed him to create his own political machine and undertake a comprehensive re-organisation of the country’s politics and society.
Hitler’s ‘cult of personality’ had a major influence on German society, which entailed him presenting himself as a perfect leader. His speeches were rich with nationalistic rhetoric, he encouraged a spirit of obedience and sacrifice for the ‘greater good’ of the country, and he imposed strict laws around public conduct and behaviour. He used his role as President to rally support for his foreign policy in the lead up to World War II.
The impact of Hitler’s rule has been widely debated by historians and political experts. On one hand, his leadership heralded a surge in German industrial output and what some argued was prosperity for its citizens. On the other hand, Nazi Germany became an authoritarian, nationalist regime which carried out brutal atrocities on its own citizens, minorities within its borders and those of other countries.
Hitler’s era of presidency ended in 1945 with the downfall of Nazi Germany. This was brought about by Germany’s defeat in World War II, delivered by Allied forces. On May 1, Hitler committed suicide in his bunker in Berlin and a few days later the German Army surrendered unconditionally, effectively concluding his rule. He was succeeded as President of Germany by Karl Dönitz, a prominent member of the Nazi party.
Aftermath
The legacy of Adolph Hitler and his policies as President of Germany is still very much in force today. The enormity of the crimes and hate that he encouraged has left a lasting impact on Germany, not to mention other countries. Many of the political systems, laws and societal views that were instituted during the Third Reich remain in existence.
Germany, as well as other countries, continues to be plagued by and combating issues such as white supremacy, neo-Nazism and extremist movements, that are all often attributed to the political and ideological views instilled by Hitler during his Presidency. Structures such as Holocaust remembrance sites, reports and public education, help to ensure that the memory of the millions of people who were persecuted and murdered in the name of Nazi ideology are remembered, honored and justice is sought where possible.
Legislation
Amidst the loss of life and destruction caused by Adolph Hitler and the Nazi regime, legislation was put into place internationally in a bid to prevent future genocides. The United Nations was founded on the principle of never again allowing a repetition of the atrocities carried out under Nazi rule.
The 1951 Convention is the most significant document to have emerged from those events and is still in existence today. It is the primary legal instrument in the international community to protect refugees all over the world – ensuring the right to safety, legal protection and asylum. Furthermore, the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (“the Rome Statute”) was adopted in 1998 and entered into force in 2002. Its purpose is to prosecute individuals for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Education
Throughout Europe, and indeed many other parts of the world, there are government-funded programs that are designed to teach school-aged children about Hitler and his legacy. The key message is to encourage an understanding of how negatives ideologies can lead to destruction, in order to eradicate situations of the same occurring in the future.
Exhibition centers, museums and monuments are also set up in cities across Germany, such as the ‘Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe’ in Berlin, to honor those who lost their lives under the Nazi regime. Other strategies used to educate the public include social media campaigns, through which information can be broadcast to a broad audience.
Final Thoughts
Adolph Hitler’s time as President of Germany left lasting marks on society and the world as a whole. Despite the efforts of those to learn and move on from the destruction of war, the issues that existed during the Third Reich remain in existence to some degree today. Also, amid destruction and destruction, there have been positive results to come from this dark period. Most notably, in the form of legislation to prevent future genocides and the dedication of museums, memorials and education to ensure history does not repeat itself.
Relationship with Other Countries
During his time as President of Germany, Adolph Hitler often held strong views and sought to intimidate others, neighbouring countries included. This resulted in a weakened relationship with countries such as France and the United Kingdom, and also sparked tensions with the Soviet Union. Hitler had also signed a formal agreement with the Japanese, the Anti-Comintern Pact, which was a mutual promise of nonaggression and hostility towards the Soviet Union.
This aggressive foreign policy was the primary trigger for WWII, resulting in millions of lives being lost and the destruction of cities, homes and landmarks. In part, due to Hitler’s actions, the United Nations was established to promote international peace and security. The signing of the Treaty of Versailles also marked the end of German re-armament, making way for Europe to be more peaceful and prosperous in the coming years.
Influence of Propaganda
Adolph Hitler was a master of propaganda and used his prominent position to sway public opinion in his favor. He dominated the media and used his speeches to rally support for his ideals and policies, often emphasising nationalistic sentiment and racial superiority. Despite it being widely denounced as false and manipulative, his rhetoric resonated with a large portion of the population and formed the basis of what would become the Nazi party.
The use of Propaganda by Adolph Hitler has been celebrated, criticized and studied in detail over the years. It can be argued that it was in part his use of propaganda that led to the rise of Nazi rule and it’s consequences. It has inspired other groups such as the North Korean regime, who employ similar tactics in a bid to manipulate public opinion by controlling the media and education.
Role of Leadership
Hitler’s Presidential rule had a lasting effect on Germany, as well as other countries. He released an authoritarian spirit that has since been adopted by a large portion of the population. His presence inspired obedience and unquestioned loyalty from his followers, displaying an example of extreme leadership skills.
Despite his brutal regime, Adolph Hitler had a tremendous ability to invoke emotion in others and lead by example. This not only forged strong relationships with his core supporters but with the general public too. He had the power to use his influential position to control and manipulate others, often to horrific ends.
Effect on Humanity
Hitler’s rule has left an indelible mark on the world and the understanding of human nature. He is an example of how an individual can use their power and influence to manipulate and control others to horrific ends. His actions and decisions as President of Germany continue to inspire debate on the nature of leadership and power.
The atrocities of the Holocaust and WWII will continue to remain a dark period in human history. It serves as a reminder of the consequences of repressive regimes and the value of standing up for what is right. Adolph Hitler will be remembered in the annals of history, but his legacy should never be repeated.
