Nazism and the Rise of Hitler
Helmuth, an eleven-year-old German kid, was laying in bed in the spring of 1945 when he overheard his parents discussing something important. His father, a famous physician, debated with his wife whether it was time to kill the entire family or commit suicide by himself. Now the Allies will do to us what we did to the handicapped and Jews, his father said, expressing his dread of retaliation. The next day, he took Helmuth to the woods, where they spent their last happy minutes together singing old children's songs.
Helmuth's father later committed suicide at his office. Helmuth recalls seeing his father's bloodied uniform burned in the home fireplace. He was so traumatised by what he had overheard and saw that he responded by refusing to eat at home for the next nine years! He was worried his mother might try to poison him.
Helmuth's father had been a Nazi and an admirer of Adolf Hitler, even if he didn't realise what that meant. Many of you are familiar with the Nazis and Hitler. You're certainly aware of Hitler's aim to transform Germany into a powerful nation and his desire to conquer all of Europe. You may have heard that he was a murderer of Jews. However, Nazism was not the result of a single or a few isolated deeds. It was a system, a framework of worldviews and political beliefs. Let us attempt to comprehend what the initial rise of Hitler and the Nazis were all about.
Rise of Hitler in Germany
The backdrop to Hitler's ascent to power was a crisis in the economy, politics, and society. Hitler grew up in poverty in Austria, where he was born in 1889. When the First World War broke out, he enlisted in the army, served as a front-line courier, rose through the ranks to corporal, and was awarded medals for courage. He was appalled by Germany's loss and enraged by the Treaty of Versailles.
In 1919, he became a member of the German Workers' Party, a tiny party. He then assumed control of the organisation, renaming it the National Socialist German Workers' Party. The Nazi Party was the name given to the Hitlers party. Hitler intended to gain control of Bavaria in 1923, march on Berlin, and seize power. He was imprisoned, tried for treason, and eventually freed after failing. Until the early 1930s, the Nazis were unable to successfully mobilise public support.
Nazism emerged as a mass movement during the Great Depression. After 1929, as we have seen, banks failed and businesses closed, people lost their jobs, and the middle class was threatened with poverty. In such a circumstance, Nazi propaganda instilled optimism in the prospect of a brighter future. In the German parliament, the Reichstag, the Nazi Party received only 2.6% of the vote in 1928. With 37% of the vote in 1932, it had become the most popular party.
Hitler was an eloquent public speaker. People were moved by his enthusiasm and words. He pledged to establish a strong nation, right the wrongs of the Versailles Treaty, and restore the German people's dignity. He promised job opportunities for the unemployed and a bright future for the youth. He vowed to eliminate all foreign influences and fight any foreign "conspiracies" against Germany.
Hitler pioneered a new approach to politics. In mass mobilisation, he grasped the importance of rituals and spectacle. Massive rallies and public gatherings were conducted by Nazis to show popular support for Hitler and to instil a sense of solidarity among the people.
This display of authority included red banners with the Swastika, the Nazi salute, and ritualised rounds of applause after speeches. Nazi propaganda skillfully portrayed Hitler as a messiah, a saviour, someone who had come to save the people from their suffering. It's an image that sparked the imagination of a people whose sense of dignity and pride had been destroyed, and who were suffering through severe economic and political difficulties.
Hitler Ideology
However, it is equally vital to know Hitler's role. People sometimes remark, "No Hitler, no Holocaust." But everyone believes it is critical to consider who lights the match or tosses the spark that ignites a potentially flammable situation. There's a lot of unpredictability all around us. It isn't necessarily followed by genocide. The importance of leadership cannot be overstated.
The importance of Hitler's leadership is undeniable. One of the most important things to remember about Hitler, is that he did have an ideology. They were fairly firm by the time he became chancellor in 1933.
Think about those two terms race and space to help you recall. It's two pillars of Hitler's worldview that are linked. The concept of race was based on the belief that humanity was split into several groups, each of which was engaged in a battle with one another. It's a very Social Darwinian viewpoint, the concept that there isn't just one group of humans, but many different and competing groups. They're supposedly battling for space and land. Some books are also available on Hitler Ideology like Hitler's Ideology, Embodied Metaphor, Fantasy and History, By Richard A. Koenigsberg.
In the spring of 1945, Helmuth, an eleven-year-old German boy, was lying in bed. His father, a well-known physician, and his wife argued if it was time to murder the entire family. Helmuth recalls his father's bloodied uniform being burned in the fireplace at home. Hitler was both an articulate and eloquent impassioned public speaker. He promised to build a strong country, correct the wrongs of the Treaty of Versailles, and restore German honour.
Conclusion
Thus, in this article we covered the initial rise of Hitler. A crisis in the economy, politics, and society surrounded the Initial rise of Hitler and the nazis. Hitler pioneered a new political strategy. He was aware of the significance of rites and spectacles. He offered the unemployed work prospects and a bright future for the youth. Hitler was depicted as a messiah, a saviour, and someone who had come to save the people in Nazi propaganda.
FAQs on Initial Rise of Hitler and The Nazis
1. What were the main reasons for the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany?
The rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party was not due to a single cause but a combination of several critical factors that destabilised Germany after World War I. Key reasons include:
- The Treaty of Versailles: Many Germans felt humiliated by the treaty's harsh terms, including the 'war guilt' clause and heavy reparations, creating deep-seated resentment.
- Economic Crises: The hyperinflation of the early 1920s and the mass unemployment caused by the Great Depression after 1929 destroyed public faith in the democratic Weimar Republic.
- Political Instability: The Weimar Republic was marked by weak coalition governments and political infighting, making it appear ineffective and incapable of solving Germany's problems.
- Nazi Propaganda: The party, led by Hitler, used powerful propaganda, mass rallies, and charismatic speeches to promise a strong, stable, and proud Germany, appealing to a desperate population.
2. How was the Nazi Party's rise to power financed?
The financing of the Nazi Party was crucial for its rapid growth. Initially, funds came from party membership fees and small donations. However, as the party gained prominence, it began to attract significant financial support from wealthy German industrialists and businessmen. These leaders were fearful of communism and believed Hitler could restore economic stability and crush trade unions. There is also historical evidence of support from foreign entities and banks who helped facilitate the movement of resources that fuelled Germany's rearmament and economic build-up in the 1930s.
3. What was the Nazi Party and how did it originate?
The Nazi Party, officially the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP), was a far-right political party in Germany led by Adolf Hitler from 1921. It originated as the German Workers' Party, founded in 1919. Hitler joined in 1919 and quickly became its leader, rebranding it and introducing the Swastika as its symbol. The party's ideology was built on intense German nationalism, anti-Semitism, anti-communism, and a profound opposition to the terms of the Treaty of Versailles.
4. Why was the Weimar Republic so unpopular among the German people?
The Weimar Republic was deeply unpopular for several reasons. Firstly, it was associated with Germany's defeat in World War I and the signing of the humiliating Treaty of Versailles; its politicians were often called “November criminals” for accepting the terms. Secondly, its system of proportional representation led to fragmented parliaments and weak, unstable coalition governments. Finally, it failed to effectively manage severe economic crises, particularly the hyperinflation of 1923 and the Great Depression, leading many Germans to lose faith in democracy itself.
5. How exactly did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the Nazis' rise?
The Treaty of Versailles provided the perfect foundation for Nazi propaganda. It imposed several humiliating conditions that Hitler promised to overturn:
- War Guilt Clause (Article 231): Forced Germany to accept sole responsibility for the war, which was a source of national shame.
- Reparations: Required Germany to pay massive sums for war damages, crippling its economy.
- Territorial Losses: Germany lost significant territories, including Alsace-Lorraine and its overseas colonies.
- Military Restrictions: The German army was severely limited in size, and the Rhineland was demilitarised.
6. How did the Great Depression of 1929 create a perfect opportunity for Hitler?
The Great Depression was a turning point. When the US economy crashed, American loans that supported the German economy were withdrawn. This led to a catastrophic collapse of German industry, with unemployment soaring to over 6 million by 1932. This widespread economic despair and poverty destroyed any remaining public confidence in the Weimar government. People were desperate for solutions, making them highly receptive to the extremist promises of Hitler, who offered scapegoats (Jews and Communists) and a vision of national salvation and employment.
7. What is the concept of 'Lebensraum' and what was its role in early Nazi ideology?
'Lebensraum' translates to “living space” and was a central, aggressive tenet of Nazi ideology from its early days. It was the belief that the German 'Aryan' race was racially superior and entitled to expand its territory to accommodate its growing population. This expansion was planned to be primarily eastward into Poland and the Soviet Union. The vision sold to the German people was one of acquiring valuable land and resources by displacing or eliminating the 'inferior' Slavic populations, thus securing Germany's future as a world power.
8. Beyond speeches, what other methods did the Nazi party use to attract mass support before 1933?
While Hitler's speeches were central, the Nazis used a multi-faceted approach to build support. They meticulously organised mass rallies with torchlight parades, banners, and choreographed salutes to create a powerful sense of belonging and strength. The party's paramilitary wing, the SA (Sturmabteilung), projected an image of order and discipline while also intimidating political opponents. They also established party organisations for every segment of society—including the Hitler Youth and leagues for students, women, and workers—to ensure the Nazi ideology penetrated every aspect of German life.
