Hitler's Rise to Power - Essay Example

k Hitler’s Rise to Power Introduction Hitler had an unremarkable career in World War I yet by the 1930s he had become the most powerful man in Germany. There is no single factor as to what explains the sudden rise of Hitler. Researchers have attempted to answer the question about what factors contributed to the rise of Hitler. The Great Depression was one of the most important factors which contributed to the rise of Hitler. The Treaty of Versailles was a harsh treaty imposed by the Allied powers on Germany in which the latter had to pay heavy war reparations. Allied powers carved their own zones of influence inside Germany by occupying certain territories. The failure of Germany to pay war reparations would sometimes lead to military action. The Treaty of Versailles states in Article 232 that “The Allied and Associated Governments, however, require, and Germany undertakes, that she will make compensation for all damage done to the civilian population of the Allied and Associated Powers and to their property during the period of the belligerency” ("Reparation"). As the government began to print bills, hyperinflation wrecked the German economy. The Great Depression was a powerful event which indirectly led to the rise of Hitler. Hitler gained enormous public support following his trial after the failure of the Munich Putsch in 1923. He spent a few months in jail where he realized that the only way to gain power was to work inside the system. Also Hitler did not enjoy support from the German elite which also prevented his failure at that time. Mein Kampf But by the 1930s, Hitler’s charismatic personality and speeches had won him the support of the German army and industrial sector. His book Mein Kampf became a blueprint for his ideology of hatred and racism. He lashed out at Jews, Social Democrats and Communists as being enemies of the German nation. In his book Hitler says that “In the meetings of those days, especially outside of Munich, there would be five, six, seven, and eight hundred adversaries to fifteen or sixteen National Socialists” (Hitler). He praises the bravery of the Nazi party against Socialist thugs “And it happened more than once that a handful of party comrades heroically fought their way to victory against a roaring, flailing Red majority” (Hitler). The Nazi party was banned in the late 1920s as it fell apart. Hitler’s amazing skills as a demagogue were crucial for the survival of the National Socialist Party. These skills also allowed him to rise into power as he addressed the crowds into hysteria. Hitler was a brilliant orator as he travelled in Germany inciting the people and blaming scapegoats for the weakness of the German nation. He created a false sense of hope and belief in the ability of the German nation to rise up like a phoenix from the ashes. Hitler says in the Mein Kampf that “an agitator who demonstrates the ability to transmit an idea to the broad masses must always be a psychologist, even if he were only a demagogue” (Hitler). According to Hitler “leading means: being able to move masses” (Hitler). The Great Depression provided the catalyst for leading many German voters to turn to Hitler. The German President Stresemann’s policies were welcomed by the German people before the Great Depression as the economy enjoyed considerable growth. However the Great Depression led many people to vote for Hitler because of his promises and expectations. Jews were a convenient scapegoat for the economic problems of Germany. Anti Semitism was on the rise because of the influential positions held by Jews as the economic situation in Germany worsened. German culture also contributed to the rise of Hitler. German philosophers and artists like Hegel had preached the virtues of German heroism. The state was to be worshipped like a religion by the masses. Loyalty to the country and sacrifice was glorified which influenced the ideas and philosophy of Hitler. According to Acton, Hegel “considered that reason played such a large part in the modern world, that the family and historical tradition were no longer capable of sustaining mens highest allegiance” (Acton). Henrich von Treitschke was another German philosopher which influenced the ideas of Hitler as he called for the obedience of the masses as vital for the stability of a country like Germany. Friedrich Nietzsche’s philosophy called for the advent of a race which would create a strong and prosperous state. German militarism was not a new phenomenon as the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries saw warriors like Frederick III create Prussia which was the foundation of modern Germany. Prussia’s military traditions were based on discipline and strict following of traditional values. Jews and Communists Traditionally in Germany, Jews had been looked down upon based upon religious and racial stereotypes. Jews held positions of influence in financial institutions like banks. They had a culture and religion which was distinct from other Germans. Most Germans believed that the Jews were more devoted to their faith rather than the state. Judaism was considered to be different and alien from the German religion which was Christianity. The hatred and discrimination towards Jews had been a part of German culture. German philosophers, religious reformers and artists had lashed out at the Jews for their customs, religion and influential positions. German culture with its history of anti Semitism was a perfect breeding ground for Hitler’s violent ideas. The social and economic conditions of the 1930s provided a fertile ground for the emergence of Hitler. German people were in a state of anxiety and fear regarding the economic and social problems of the 1920s and 1930s. Hitler seemed to provide an answer to every question as he pledged to restore Germany to its glorious past. As hardship increased following the Great Depression, Hitler’s preaching was heard by many Germans who had no jobs. The weak Weimar Republic was blamed for the poor conditions of Germany as they had signed the Versailles Treaty. Another scapegoat was that of communism. German workers who had launched strikes were considered to be tools and agents of the Soviet Union. The Communists were blamed for some of Germany’s economic problems. Josephine Herbst said that “Hitler has been successful in selling to the Germans the idea that he saved the country and all Europe from bolshevism” (Herbst). He further says that “the term bolshevism with too much use has begun to lose its sharp edge” (Herbst). German Industrialists Powerful industrialists and businesses also supported Hitler because they feared a communist takeover of Germany. The radicalization of the workers by communism was perceived as a threat to the powerful industrialists of Germany. These capitalists saw Hitler as a powerful ally who could rebuild the German economy and save it from communism. Sutton says that “Hitlers 1924 Munich trial yielded evidence that the Nazi Party received $20,000 from Nuremburg industrialists” (Sutton). Financial assistance by the 1930s increased to Hitler as many meetings were conducted between German industrialists. Sutton says that “Hjalmar Sehaeht and Rudolf Hess” were key individuals who participated in meetings with German industrialists. Most of the German industrialists who backed Hitler were “German multi-national firms” which according to Sutton were “built up by American loans in the 1920s”. European organizations like the Schneider group also played an important role in providing armaments to Hitler’s war machine. Sutton says that “A total of three million Reichmarks was subscribed by prominent firms and businessmen” to ensure that Hitler would win the general election of 1933. The financial contributions of German bankers and industrialists were followed by the suspension of constitutional rights and the consolidation of power by the Nazi Party. Hitler’s respect for private property was one of the key reasons why German industrialists and businesses provided support to the Nazi party. Hitler’s oratory and demagoguery also inspired confidence and expectation in the German business sector that capitalism would be promoted and the economic problems of Germany would be solved. Hitler’s Election Victory The final reason why Hitler became supreme dictator of Germany was his appointment by Hindenburg. After Von Papen was elected as Chancellor of Germany, he wanted to change the political system of Germany which had been imposed after the Weimar Republic. He had ideas that Hitler was an ideal choice for being the Chancellor because of the latter’s popularity. Papen believed that Hitler would be the front man who could convince the masses with his large support. He mistakenly believed Hitler could be manipulated to pursue his policies. According to the Spartacus International, Von Papen supported the persecution of Jews as “there can certainly be no objection to keeping the unique quality of a people as clean as possible and to awaken the sense of a peoples community” (Papen ). He also congratulated Hitler by saying “allow me to say how manly and humanly great of you I think this is. Your courageous and firm intervention has met with nothing but recognition throughout the entire world. I congratulate you for all you have given anew to the German nation by crushing the intended second revolution” (Papen). Papen would be wrong in his assessment as Hitler could not be controlled. Hitler did not seize power but was instead given the power to shape German destiny. He would ultimately unleash a global conflict in which millions of people would be killed. His policies of hate and racism would lead to the genocide of the Jews, Communists, Gypsies and any race which was considered inferior according to the philosophy of the National Socialist Party. Conclusion There were many factors which contributed to the rise of Hitler. The weakness of the Weimar Republic was a major factor which helped Hitler rise to power. Hitler was a brilliant orator and demagogue who inspired hope and expectation amongst the German masses. The Great Depression had forced the German people to lose their jobs. Penniless and frustrated by the economic and social conditions of Germany, they were willing to listen to anyone who would solve their problems. The powerful elite of Germany like the industrialists and businessmen were also instrumental in helping Hitler gain power. The Nazis created a propaganda in which they blamed the German problems on Jews, communists, social democrats and socialists. They considered the Weimar Republic as betraying Germany by signing the unequal treaty of Versailles. German culture also played an important role in shaping the ideas of Hitler’s philosophy. Germany had a tradition of militarism in which sacrifice for the state was glorified. German philosophers had provided ideas about how a master race should seize power in Germany and work for the creation of a strong and stable Germany. The Jews were considered to be influential people who had wrecked the economy of Germany. The Communists were perceived to be an invention of Jews who wanted to destroy German industry. Finally it can be said that the Great Depression was a major catalyst which allowed Hitler to become Chancellor of Germany. It is highly unlikely that Hitler would have risen to power if the Great Depression had not occurred. Works Cited: "Reparation." University of San Diego. University of San Diego. 30 May 2008 . Hitler, Adolf. "Mein Kampf ." Stormfront.org. Stormfront.org. 30 May 2008 . Acton, H.B. "Hegelian Political and Religious Ideas." Dictionary of the History of Ideas. Dictionary of the History of Ideas. 30 May 2008 . Herbst, Josephine . "The German Underground War." Spartacus International. Jan 1936. Spartacus International. 30 May 2008 . Sutton, Antony C. . "Who Financed Adolf Hitler?." Studies in Reform Theology. 2000. Studies in Reform Theology. 30 May 2008 . Papen , Franz von . "Franz von Papen ." Spartacus International. 1934. Spartacus International. 30 May 2008 . Read More