Paths to Power
Adolf Hitler was a German political leader and Reich Chancellor of Nazi Germany who rose to power in the early part of the twentieth century. Historians argue that his rise to power was largely attributed to a combination of multiple factors. His powerful oratory skills and the nationalism he promoted, as well as his sheer stubbornness and the economic adversity of the Weimar Republic are all cited as contributing significantly to his success.
Hitler had a very tumultuous childhood, with his father and mother passing away during his teen years. Many scholars believe that this ultimately informed his later views on the world and his thoughts on how Germany should be run. After being rejected from Vienna’s art academy and WWI, Hitler was a working-class citizen living in a subsidized apartment. This everyday experience appeared to fuel a hatred for authority figures, the bourgeoisie and Jews — a sentiment that was shared by working-class Germans in this period.
In the early 1920s, Hitler rose to fame as the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP). His charisma and rhetorical talents enabled him to be a successful politician and he was soon elected to the Reichstag and Chancellor. His promise of a ‘Third Reich’, which included restoring German pride, economic stability and a ‘quick victory’ over all of Germany’s enemies, motivated many disenfranchised and desperate Germans to back him.
Hitler was deeply homophobic, antisemitic and xenophobic and was actively against women’s rights and any other form of unrestricted individualism. His views on racial superiority and minority subjugation only increased after he gained power and his pursuit of the ‘Final Solution’ led to the genocide of millions of Jews, Roma, LGBT and other minority groups. Hitler’s anti-Semitic beliefs and policies led to the Holocaust, which is remembered to this day as one of the most abhorrent and criminal acts of cruelty humankind has ever witnessed.
Hitler was also responsible for the devastating and controversial actions of WWII, which worsened the already dire situation in Europe following WWI. It is believed that Hitler was directly responsible for the deaths of millions of Jews and other non-Aryan peoples and was responsible for the introduction of the Holocaust, in which millions died. Some studies also suggest that Hitler himself may have had a hand in carrying out some of the most shameful and horrific acts that some had suffered under the Nazis.
In summary, numerous scholars and historians agree that Hitler’s ethical and political views were informed by his childhood, his political ambitions and his experiences in WWI. While his rhetoric and political tactics enabled him to rise to power in Germany, his criminal and repressive actions have led to him becoming one of the most despised and notorious figures in history.
Propaganda Tactics
Adolf Hitler had mastery of the art of propaganda – and it was undoubtedly one of his most powerful tools. He utilized a variety of techniques and strategies to propagate his message of anti-Semitism, hatred and National Socialism. His speeches were emotive and captivating, often filled with personal anecdotes from his past and grandiose promises of a greater Germany. Furthermore, he employed posters, music, literature and even film to spread his ideology.
Hitler was also a master manipulator, and his dominance of the press allowed him to fabricate news stories, spread rumours about opposition leaders, and demonize minorities. His anti-Semitic propaganda was particularly effective – often equating Jews with animals, disease or asserting their role as an exploiter of the German people. This combined approach had devastating effects, leadings many to believe that Jews were the source of all of Germany’s problems.
Hitler also understood the power of using imagery to evoke emotion in the viewer. He is accredited with the invention of the infamous Swastika symbol and regularly used swastika banners at NSDAP rallies and parades. By blanketing Germany with propaganda and imagery associated with Nazi ideals, Hitler was able to ensure that his message was heard and understood even by illiterate individuals.
All of this culminated in the creation of a single-party state, with Hitler becoming the dictator of Nazi Germany. With complete control of the media, newspaper, radio and television, all forms of non-approved information were stamped out and any anti-Fascist views were quashed. This marked a period of extreme psychological manipulation and a near-impossible task for the opposition to counter Hitler’s plans.
Mein Kampf
Adolf Hitler’s Mein Kampf (My Struggle) is a political autobiography written while Hitler was imprisoned in 1923–1924 after his failed coup attempt, known as the Munich Putsch. The book was first published in 1925 and charted Hitler’s hatred of communism, Jews and other minorities and his vision for a greater Germany.
The book was lauded by Hitler’s ideological supporters and was one of the most popular publications in Germany in the early 1930s. Through his book, Hitler was able to articulate his thoughts and language to a wider audience and laid out an extreme version of German nationalism. The book shaped how Hitler’s Nazi Party formed its beliefs and the book served as a source of inspiration for tens of thousands of young Germans.
Within the book, Hitler acknowledged the works of philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche and heavily referenced the writings of thinker Henry Ford, who fully embraced eugenics. By drawing on the principles of Social Darwinism, Hitler proposed that Aryan blood was superior to all other races, and subsequently, German society should focus on eugenics. This primitive and abhorrent concept allowed Hitler to construct a narrative of racial superiority and his writing has been cited as a source of inspiration to develop the Holocaust.
Hitler’s views on the Jews were particularly heinous and were driven by a mixture of antisemitic conspiracy theories and nationalistic superstition. For example, Hitler cited the Protocols of the Elders of Zion as evidence of a global Jewish conspiracy to dominate the world and suggested that Jews were responsible for Germany’s economic collapse. As well as being glorified by Nazis, the book was also widely distributed by Soviet authorities in order to discredit fascism and counter-propaganda.
Military Campaigns
Hitler’s expansionist policies and military campaigns left an indelible mark that can still be seen today. His decision to rearm Germany and pursue an aggressive foreign policy was met with strong international opposition, yet found traction within Germany itself. His marches into Denmark and Czechoslovakia paved the way for the Second World War and resulted in the devastation of the continent and the death of tens of millions.
Hitler’s infamous “Blitzkrieg” tactics were developed after WWI and utilised a combination of tanks, aircraft and infantry. His military successes in Poland, France and the Netherlands had a strong psychological effect on the Allies and his forces continued to march into the Soviet Union in a bid to conquer Moscow. However, the Red Army was eventually able to push the Nazi forces out and the tables would soon turn in favor of the Allies. Amidst increasing losses, Hitler fled from Berlin in April 1945.
Hitler’s role in the war also involved plans of a nuclear bomb and a new military technology known as V-2 rockets. Nazi scientists worked on constructing a nuclear weapon at the Loewenhaupt nuclear research laboratory in Germany and an earlier attempt was made during the failed Operation Alsos in 1944. Further plans to develop a operational nuclear reactor were also put forward, however the project was scuppered and prevented by Allied forces.
Hitler’s military ambitions and struggles are remembered as a profound tragedy, with his downfall resulting in the deaths of millions of soldiers and civilians. Hitler and many of his closest allies were tried and sentenced to death by the Nuremberg Trials. He is remembered as one of the greatest despots of modern times.
Personality & Psychological Traits
Hitler possessed a range of character traits that enabled his rise to power and his influence over the German population. He was an imposing figure and frequently stood out from a crowd with his black moustache and stern expression. His skill at reading a crowd was admired and he was an engaging personality to be around. He was considered a great speaker, with many stories of how he could enthrall an audience for hours with his words.
Psychologists point to Hitler’s extreme narcissism, pathological paranoia and grandiose tendencies as other key features of his personality. He also lacked empathy and was obsessed with the idea of racial superiority and subjugation. Historians and psychologists have argued that many of his views and thoughts may have been caused by a rare combination of mental disorders or an extreme form of dissociative identity.
On the other hand, there is an argument that Hitler was motivated by his need for power, control and not necessarily by his mental illnesses. His ambition drove him forward and he was willing to break the law to achieve his ends. It has also been suggested that Hitler was not motivated by a hatred of Jews, but rather by an ideology of power and control. Nonetheless, his actions have been described as some of the most extreme and tyrannical in human history.
Legacy
Adolf Hitler and his reign of terror are remembered as one of the darkest chapters in human history. His actions led to the displacement of entire populations and the slaughter of millions of innocent civilians. It is a memory that is still painful for many to this day, and one that should serve as a reminder of the consequences of tyranny and extreme ideologies.
Hitler’s legacy can still be seen in the form of monuments, memorials and museums dedicated to the victims of the Holocaust. The United Nations Declaration of Human Rights, issued a few years after his death, serves as a reminder of the need for human rights and freedoms. More recently, Auschwitz, the site of Nazi concentration camps, has been turned into a museum as a testament to the horrors inflicted by the Nazis during their reign.
Many countries have also taken steps to ban Nazi symbols and ideology, and many political leaders have outlined their commitment to upholding the principles of human rights and tolerance. Yet, despite the continued efforts to combat racism and anti-Semitism, the traumas of the Holocaust still linger. Groups such as neo-Nazis still propagate hateful ideologies, reminding us of the grave consequences of totalitarianism and bigotry.
