Analysis of Hitler and the Uniqueness of Nazism Article by K. Ian - Essay Example

17th February Article Ian K. Hitler and the Uniqueness of Nazism. Journal of Contemporary History. Vol. 39, No 2, Understanding Nazi Germany (Apr 2004), pp 239-254. 1Introduction This article covers Hitler regime and the rise of Nazism is depicted as brutal dictatorship that was clear in the regime of Adolf Hitler and it was responsible for the most destructive war in the history leaving 40 million people dead. In Europe it is the worst genocide that is known to mankind which left many dead and other murmured, this thesis tries to discuss how dictatorship in Germany under the leadership of Adolf Hitler lead to mass killing of innocent citizens. After the First World War there were German citizens who were not in support of Nazism regime and this shows unique purpose of eliminating some of innocent civilians. During that period of First World War, some German military men were against the Nazism and some central and eastern parts of Europe were still against Nazism and this was the reason why there was need to eliminate the Jews. 2 How Hitler came to power The emergence of radical activists Fredrich Meinecke and Gerhard Ritter, politicians who came unopposed since the First World War had blown completely and the need to rebuild German through the leadership of Hitler opened the way for the type of demagogic politics that led Hitler into power. After Hitler was appointed chancellor of Germany by the president of Weimar Republic, the European problem of the degradation of politics started. 3 Nazi coming to power 1933 to 1945 was the period when Nazi government came to power under the leadership of Adolf Hitler and his party National Socialist German Workers Party (NSDAP). During this period, Germany was transformed into a fascist totalitarian state and it had the right to control nearly all aspects of life. In the eyes of non specialists, Nazism was termed as war and genocide, with war one means that this was unparalleled barbarity that the Nazi launched to the citizens and this was especially to those who were from central and Eastern Europe. By genocide one thinks of mass destruction of the European Jews who were murdered and the killings associated with Hitler. Nazism’s uniqueness was Hitler and this was pure and simple since of atrocities the Jews passed on (Moshe 36). The Nazi party was the only political party that was allowed and others were eliminated and consolidated their power. All the power was under Hitler’s power and his word was above all laws. All the people who deemed undesirable were persecuted or even murdered and any opposition to Hitler’s rule was suppressed by any means. All the liberals and those who opposed communism were killed, imprisoned and this made the citizens to move to exile. Christian churches were persecuted and oppressed and their leaders were imprisoned. 4 Characteristic of Nazi regime The Nazi regime had two characteristics and they were unusual in comparison with other dictatorships. The first one was cumulative radicalization. This meant after even the genocide and oppression that was carried by Hitler’s government one expected a showdown from the former opponents but this was not the case even after1920 violent civil war. The second one was the unbelievable awful phase of radicalization under Stain after the first wave during the revolutionary turmoil. Lastly, in 1925 in Spain the same kind of radicalization was seen not long after the end of civil war that left many murmured and others killed. The second characteristic of Nazi regime was linked with high capacity for destruction and this is extraordinary even for dictatorships. This destruction was in phases against internal political and increased racial enemies, destruction was carried in phases for example summer of 1935 and autumn of 1939 onwards where a lot of destruction was carried. Those destructions occurred within a broad ideological framework associated with Hitler’s wishes and intentions. This meant that no Hitler no general European war by the rate 1930s, no Hitler there would be no attack on the Soviet Union. This meant that Hitler was the only rule who was above the law and even had the mechanism to wipe out all the Jews of Europe. 5 Hitler’s charismatic power Due to the politics of national salvation Hitler imposed charismatic ideas and was treated as superhuman in 1933. Hitler’s charismatic authority and the promise of national salvation fitted if not perfectly. The aim of charismatic ideas was political since it provided the fertile ground within which Nazism could flourish well. Among the components was an understanding of nationality that rested upon ethnicity, imperialist idea was not only to oversee colonies but to German dominance in the ethnic mélange of Eastern Europe. This was accompanied by deep resentment at the country’s treatment due to war and national weakness and humiliation. Charismatic authority set the guidelines to be followed and the bureaucracy of a modern state was there to implement them. Charismatic ideas were Nazism’s uniqueness and it was possible to distinguish those who were not respecting the dictatorships who were punished severely for not following the rules and regulations. The modern state directed by charismatic authority that the idea was to bring about salvation or redemption of all courses and tapping religious motives. During 1920s, Hitler developed a pronounced sense of his national mission, the mission was to nationalize the masses, take over the states, and destroy the enemy. This meant that all the Jews and Marxists were to be killed since they were seen as enemies in his eyes. By doing so Hitler argued that he was building up defense and undertaking expansion by the sword to secure Germany’s future in the overcoming shortage of land. The aim was to acquire new territory in east of Europe in 1922 that led to destruction of property and mass killing of innocent civilians. Hitler got the idea of charismatic community from Mussolini’s from Rome and thus causing such pain to the Jews and Marxists. 6 Conclusion Dictatorship in Germany under the control of Adolf Hitler lead to mass killing of Jews who were about 40 million people leaving others in prison and destruction of German economy unstable. Most notably, this article covers the how Hitler came to power, Nazi coming to power, Characteristic of Nazi regime and Hitler’s charismatic power. Works cited Moshe, L. Stalinism and Nazism: Dictatorship in Germany. London: Cambridge University.1936.Print Read More