Analysis of Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler - Book Report/Review Example

Norma L. Sanchez Political Theory: 3322 August 16, Adolf Hitler- Mein Kampf Introduction Adolf Hitler is unfortunately the world-renowned leader best known for his ideas and engagements of human genocide that eventually lead to the Holocaust, also known as the Shoah. Hitler was able to capture and brainwash the mind of millions within years. Hitler reached power because of a three-pronged action that undermined law and order by sowing fear and creating an atmosphere of impending civil war, by mounting a campaign of terrorism against the Jews, and most of all by inciting violent clashes between the Communists and the National Socialist SA.1 Many argue that the Holocaust was hoax but with the horrific pictures, videos, records, and propaganda that was left behind it is not surprising that people would not want to accept this act of genocide as truth. However, Adolf Hitler had entourage ofextremely skillful officers and media representatives. Josef Goebbels was in charge of Hitler’s propaganda campaign and not only was he skilled but his ideas were toxic and they seized the minds of the German people. Goebbels may have been good at influencing people but it was Adolf Hitler who was the master of persuasion. Hands down he was an amazing at giving speeches and building the atmosphere to work in his favor. Hitler evidently acquired some of his knowledge of mass psychology from Chamberlain, who had noted that mass rallies blunt the individual’s judgment and intensify his zeal and that the effect is similar to hypnosis, which is why there is special importance to the speeches of people of brutal strength who win out over sharper and subtler minds.2 Adolf Hitler’s background Adolf Hitler grew up in Braunau-am-Inn where his father who worked as customs official raised him. This was at the border of Austria and Germany3. He always performed poorly in school. As a result, he dropped out of school at the age of 16. Due to his lack of education qualifications, his life became difficult since he could not get a good job. He became a painter where he got his political ideas. He later joined the German army during the world war one. However, he did not serve the army for a long time since he was wounded. In the year 1919, his political ideas drove him to join a political party in Germany. In the year 1921, he promised extremists to end the problem that was facing Germany after the world war. This was after he became a leader of the Nazi party4. In the year 1923, he tried to start an uprising that was faced with a very strong resistant. It led to his imprisonment for about nine months. During this time, he expressed his political ideas in his book “Mein Kampf”. After release from the prison, he decided to spread his political ideology through the Nazi party and his book. He also used mass media and violence to influence many people. In the year 1933, he became a political leader after the election. He acquired a leadership position in the coalition government. He used his political powers to exercise dictatorship. Since he was against Jewish in the country, he decided to implement the anti Jewish laws. As a result, many Jewish people were killed. He used his powers to expand the territories that led to the Second World War. Instead of addressing the financial issues that were facing the country, he used the available resources to fight other nation such as the US. He later committed suicide when the Soviet Army wanted to take over the German capital5. Mein Kampf In 1925, Adolf Hitler became a published author and released his ideological work, Mein Kampf, which translates to my struggle. In Mein Kampf, Hitler summarized his view of the two anti-Semitic parties: If in addition to its shrewd knowledge of the broad masses the Christian Socialist party had adequately understood the importance of the race problem as the Pan-German movement had grasped it, and if finally the party had been nationalistic; or if the Pan-German movement besides its true insight into the goal of the Jewish question and the meaning of the nationalist idea had adopted also the shrewdness of the Christian Socialist party, and particularly the latter’s attitude toward Socialism, the result would have been the one movement which in my opinion might successfully have changed the German Fate.6 Hitler not only observed these struggles he also studied them meticulously to better understand what measures he needed to take in order to be successful. Mein Kampf provides a number of points and ideas Hitler made after observing the many flaws of the current economic state long before he became chancellor. Adolf Hitler was able to persuade many into believing his philosophies and opinions. Many people argue the valid and practical points foreseen by Hitler for various reason. His work Mein Kampf was passed out to almost all of Germany after Hitler became chancellor in January of 1933. This is where, why, and how many adapted his way of thinking but it was with the help of his entourage that elevated Adolf Hitler into a grisly stardom. One of the major points in the book includes the political obsessions over the German unity. The book focuses on the minority groups that may have hindered the German unity. In order, to achieve the unity goal, the empire had to eliminate the minority while expanding its territories. The minority groups faced discrimination in the Austria- Hungary Empire. This was Hitler’s dream of the future German nation. When he acquired political powers, he applied his ideas7. Hatred for bolshevism is another idea in the book. According to the book, bolshevism was the cause of financial problems in the Austria-Hungary Empire. The book supported the idea that the minority groups in the empire caused constant strikes and political intimidations. The minority group in the book represents the Jewish people in the nation. He relates bolshevism in the book with socialism that was encouraged by the minority groups. For instance, most of leaders of socialist parties were Jewish. One of the ideas presented in the book were based on other philosophers’ ideologies. For instance, the concepts presented were based on philosophies such as Darwinism and anti-Semitism. One of the concepts also includes that of Lebensraum. Many colonists used this idea during that period. It supports the expansion of territories in order to give more space and room for a ruling race. He borrowed the concept from French and English. Philosophies One of Hitler’s philosophies was that only German people deserved to live because of their superiority. He believed that other people such as the Jews and Gypsies who were inferior to him should not exist. He encouraged the German people to hate and fight the Jews and other people. The hostility toward the Jews led to reduction of their population. His other philosophy was that democracy was the cause of mediocrity in the country. The Nietzsche’s warriors influenced this philosophy. He believed that violence was the only way to achieve political goals. He thought that democracy was among the factors that caused poverty in Germany because he associated it with inferiority8. He embraced the Nietzsche’s idea that held that a political system should only encourage greatness but not inferiority. This thought made him to hate Jesus. He did not like him because he though Jesus was weak. He believed that Jesus was crucified due lack of strengths. Since he hated weak people, he did not like Christians for trying to follow the teaching of Jesus. He believed that eliminating other people who seemed weak to him would only leave strong people in the society who will improve the financial system of the country. He thought that the weaker ones were drugging down the economy9. Hitler’s philosophy was also influenced by idea of eugenic. It is a biological idea of evolution. According his philosophy, some people are more evolved compared to others, contributing to their strengths. Consequently, the less evolved ones deserve to be eliminated from the society. He believed that the German people were more evolved compared to others in the society. He used this philosophy to justify the killing of people from other communities in the country. This philosophy was also used in other nations such as the US during that time. Even though the philosophies were not his original ideas, he implemented them ruthlessly10. One of Hitler’s philosophies was that conflict lead to progress of the nation. This idea was influenced by Hegel’s philosophy that holds that since the state has more powers over its citizens, progress requires conflicts. He applied the philosophy to justify his attack of the Europeans. Another philosophy that guided him to eliminate the Jews was that Jewish was not a religion, but just a community of immoral people who deserve to be eliminated. Another philosophy pertained to German exceptionalism. He believed that only the German people deserved the right to live in the country. Other philosophers such as Fichte influenced this idea. He believed that individuals such as persons with disabilities and Jews should not be given civic rights. This philosophy held that the rule of humanity as proposed by Christians do not apply to stronger people. He claimed that stronger people are always right and deserve to rule. This means that leaders were supposed to show their superiority through violence. He engaged in violent acts in order to prove to his people that he deserved to rule. He was also guided by his apocalyptic philosophy. According to this philosophy, environmental resources can only sustain the nation if its population remains small. He believed that the nation was facing financial constraints because of the increase in population. He believed that German people could only enjoy environmental resources if its population does not grow. In order to reduce the population, he tried to eliminate other communities from the country by killing them. Hitler’s points were not valid because they were only used for his convenience. He manipulated other people’s philosophies to suit his political interests. In addition, the ideas were one sided. He only applied ideas that satisfied the needs of Germans only leading to other individuals being left out11. Conclusion Hitler is remembered for his extremist ideas of a political system that made minority groups such Jews and disabled individuals to suffer. Other philosophers influenced his philosophies. He used them to justify his cruel actions towards the minority groups. One of his philosophies includes creating space by expanding the German territories. The idea of eliminating weak to improve the economy also drove him to kill the minorities. His book “Mein Kampf” reflects his vision as a leader in the nation. The ideas in the book reflect all his leadership strategies. The main ideas include hatred for bolshevism, German unity, and his view of other philosophies. One of his achievements includes reduction of the Jewish population and other minority groups through killing, and elimination of bolshevism through violence. Bibliography Feuer, Lewis . 2010. Ideology and the ideologists. New Brunswick, N.J.: Transaction Publishers Giblin, James Cross. 2002. The life and death of Adolf Hitler. New York: Clarion Books Hitler, Adolf. 2008. Mein Kampf (My struggle). Mumbai: Jaico Pub. House. Nicholls, David. 2010. Adolf Hitler: a biographical companion. Oxford: ABC-Clio Roberts, Jeremy. 2011. Adolf Hitler: a study in hate. New York: Rosen Publ. Group. Yahil, Leni. 1991. The Holocaust: the fate of European Jewry, 1932-1945. New York: Oxford University Press. Zalampas, Sherree Owens. 1990. Adolf Hitler: a psychological interpretation of his views on architecture, art, and music. Bowling Green, Ohio: Bowling Green University Popular Press. Read More