Key motive of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler, commonly known as the Nazi leader, lived a life that profoundly impacted the world we live in today. Although his life was certainly controversial, there is no denying the superhuman strength that he possessed to bring about this seemingly global scale of change. In this article, we’ll be exploring the core motivation behind Hitler’s actions, and tracing his life story to better understand his influence on turn-of-the-century politics.
Hitler rose to power in Germany in 1933, three decades after losing his father as a young boy. Historians continue to explore what caused such a determined and devoted leader to emerge from an upbringing of poverty and grief. The primary driving force of anything Hitler did was his deep-seated anger towards authority, which he deeply felt even during his younger days.
This led him to veer from one extreme to the other. Throughout his formative years, he petitioned for the disarmament of Germany, which would be seen as a blow to the already-shifting power structures.
This political slope continued to rise as Hitler joined the Nazi Party in 1920, quickly becoming one of its main proponents. Still motivated by bitterly-held grievances towards authority, Hitler proposed a new way of life that eliminated the restraints of traditional government regulations – an idea that was eventually realised as the Nazi party’s National Socialist Program.
As time went on, Hitler’s political ambitions changed in tune with his consistent complaints towards the government. What started off as a gentle push for the Church to loosen its stranglehold soon developed into a fire-breathing quest to dismantle the existing Jewish controlled infrastructure, an idea that eventually led to the Holocaust.
Adolf Hitler’s unifying power
Despite his clear call to arms, Hitler’s rise to power was shrouded in a veil of unity, as he implemented a sense of nationalist pride in the German people through a surprisingly successful national campaign. To put it in the simplest terms possible: he was able to unite people under one common cause, from German sympathisers to people of Jewish faith.
It’s not a surprise to suggest that Hitler was an ingenious leader, having utilised his drive and anger to create a fantastic amassment of supporters. He had the ability to make people believe in him, as seen in his famous speech in which he proclaimed “our weapons will be forged in the red hot flames of battle!”
Many have since suggested that Hitler’s ability to rally people was built upon the idea of fear, as discussed in Emilio Gentile’s paper, Fear and Belief in Nazi Germany. It was through the formation of social and political sects, fascist organisations and uncontrollable aggression that Hitler was able to spread his fire.
This was perhaps the key element in Hitler’s ministry – the ability to spark passion and hatred in a way that no other leader had been able to do before.
The power of Hitler’s mind
The biggest enigma behind Hitler’s fury was his personal life. Nobody ever knew the real Hitler, not even his closest friends. His life was a grand masquerade of carefully crafted disguises, none of which ever gave way to the reality of all his inhibitions.
Why did he never welcome us into his garden of secrets? Well it is speculated that Hitler had some kind of mental illness, ranging from bipolar disorder to paranoid schizophrenia.
Brought up in a society where mental illness was seen with stigma, Hitler chose to hide his condition and instead relished in the sense of power and accomplishment that came with proving himself right against the odds.
Historians have since likened Hitler to a multi-faceted character, where different shades of his personality united to form a character that was able to manipulate and control an entire population.
The rise and fall of Hitler
Hitler quickly rose to such infamy that he became one of the first modern megalomaniacs that the world had ever seen. His fame grew in tune with his ruthless plans for domination, as innocent civilians were abducted and forced into a life of tyranny.
His horrific acts of unimaginable terror showed no signs of slowing down, as genocide took over in what historians have since dubbed the “twisted reign of terror”.
Eventually, even Hitler’s own followers gained an understanding of the dangers of his regime. With the help of influential decision-makers, the war against the Nazis soon turned from a collection of banded resistances into a powerful, worldwide rebellion that saw Hitler’s power dwindle and eventually crumble.
Adolf Hitler’s legacy
Today, Hitler’s legacy lives on as his actions are remembered for all the wrong reasons. The institutions he once controlled were dismantled and replaced with bodies that focus more on inclusion and prosperity.
In Germany, Hitler is still a powerful symbol of what can happen when an individual is driven by uncontrollable anger, anxieties and fear. His once-intimidating presence is now associated with what can be achieved through pacifism, understanding and harmony.
Furthermore, the world community now stands united in condemning any and all forms of extremism, with organisations such as Amnesty International now leading the charge in ensuring that everyone’s beliefs are respected and valued. When carrying out any kind of reckless activity it is always worth considering the consequences.
Evidence of Hitler’s impact on the world
Hitler’s actions continue to make a deep impression on the way the world is today. His impact can be seen in the rise of anti-Semitism across Europe, the strong focus on rights and values in the form of public institutions, and the importance of learning from the past to avoid future atrocities.
This is why it is important to understand the man behind the madness. By exploring the various layers of Hitler’s life, from his childhood in pain up to his violent and controversial ascent to power, one can gain a deeper insight into the motivations for his actions.
This understanding is the key to ensuring that similar tragedies never happen again, as well as providing a lesson in the dangers of letting a single individual have too much influence in a society.
The persisting effects of the Nazi era
It is now commonly understood that the Nazi’s had an incredibly destructive impact on all facets of society. From politics to religion, every part of life was completely changed during the period of Hitler’s reign.
One of the most drastic changes was the destruction of the sense of cultural identity in German people. This has resulted in a lasting confusion in the essence of what it means to be German, which can still be felt today.
Having already touched upon the subject of mental illness, it is safe to say that the Nazi regime also had an impact on medical practices in Germany. The most obvious claim to this effect is the controversial euthanasia program, which allowed for the termination of those considered to be “mentally impaired”.
This, combined with the various technological advancements created during the reign of Hitler, has had huge implications on the way that medical treatments have progressed, especially when it comes to ethical considerations.
Hitler’s influence on contemporary geopolitics
Contemporary geopolitics has been changed massively by the deeper implications of Hitler’s movement, as his involvement with the European Union (EU) has forever changed the idea of what is required of a successful political union.
The EU has since seen multiple waves of countries join out of fear of a repetition of the events of WWII. Following Hitler’s fall, European countries came together to create the core institutions of the European Union.
While it would be wrong to suggest that the EU was born out of Hitler’s movement, there is little doubt that it was motivated – at least in part – by a desire to never again experience the horrors of the previous decade.
Naturally, Hitler’s influence has persisted today, in varying degrees. His rise to power is a lesson to be learned, as an example of what not to do if one has the next generation of world leaders in mind.
