Adolph Hitler once said, “Whoever lights the torch of war in Europe can wish for nothing but chaos.” Many of Hitler’s generals realized the truth of that statement. Multiple times they attempted to keep him from wreaking havoc on the German way of life. Their repeated warnings went unheard, resulting in Germany’s downfall. The German war effort was vastly influenced by the Anti-Nazi tendencies of Hitler’s senior officers. The two staunchest opponents of Nazism were generals Ludwig Beck and Freihers Werner von Fritsch. Hitler was forced to keep these men on staff for multiple reasons. The Army already felt estranged by Hitler and removing Fritsch and Beck could have further damaged that relationship. He also realized that the duo were some of the greatest generals Germany had to offer militarily. Furthermore, the German government that he had endorsed had chosen these men. With Beck as Chief of the General Staff of the Army, and Fritch as Commander-in-Chief Hitler knew he would experience difficulties with them (Barnett 19). The first of these two generals,General Fritsch, had virtually no personality. He was nearly impossible to relate to on a personal level. He chose not to spend much time on the social scene. Barnett writes, “ In a letter of 4 September 1938 he wrote: ‘When you write further that I am often difficult to understand, you are doubtless correct. From my earliest days, I have never spoken with anyone about myself. I simply cannot do it, and if anyone tries to penetrate me in this direction, he only achieves the reverse.’” This contributed to his dedication to his work. His dedication, in turn, led to his being appointed to a higher military position (21). Fritsch was not appointed by Hitler. Hitler favored General ... ... middle of paper ... ...er savior for the destruction. Murray sums it up best, “In the end it was probably to Europe’s advantage that Hitler survived, because his survival made it impossible for the Germans to blame their defeat on anyone other than the Fuhrer.” Had Hitler been killed by the bomb, many lives would have been saved (409). Multiple German officials opposed Hitler and his policies. Ethics and morals guided some to this difference of opinion with the Fuhrer. Others simply realized the foolhardiness of beginning a world war. They also dealt with Hitler differently. Men like Fritsch chose to oppose him with reason rather than violence. Beck and Stauffenberg attempted to end the war by the only method they knew, assassination. However these men attempted to stop Hitler, they are all heroes and should be remembered as such for the sacrifices they made to end a senseless war.
Erwin Johannes Eugen Rommel born November 15 1891 in Heidenheim, Germany was one of the greatest military generals Germany has ever seen possibly one of the greatest of the entire 19th century. He would later go on to command huge Nazi military campaigns across the globe with the rank of field marshall. Ever since he was a young boy Rommel was fascinated by how things worked and their efficiency this later proved useful when it came to military strategies and techniques he used during his service . By the age of fourteen Rommel had already built a hang glider with his peers, he also managed to take a part and put back together a brand new motorcycle. His plans for the future were to become an engineer considering his interest in mechanics and technology but took a change of course when he accepted his fathers wishes to join the military. At the age of 18 he joined the local 124th Württemberg Infantry Regiment as a Fähnrich, this was the start of his legendary military legacy. Two years later he completed officer school he graduated as a second lieutenant. When chaos in the north eastern hemisphere broke out with the Assassination of the archduke Fran Ferdinan. Germany along with most of the European countries entered the war because of their military alliances with one another in August 1914, which would later become the first world war ever fought in history. This is where Rommel found his reputation in battle as his battalion fought they lost a quarter their officers. Rommel was constantly moving to the front to lead the fight. In a battle with the french Rommel fired a shot downing two french men he quickly reloaded his weapon and went to take...
World War II was a critical period for America, not to mention the world as well. Throughout all the fighting and bloodshed, Americans returned home successful. Over 700,000 soldiers were disabled after the war, thankful for their lives. All the success and happiness of this country wouldn’t have been possible if not for the bravery, courage, and strategies of our U.S. Generals. They provided the smarts, the morale, and motivation for our soldiers, navy, and airforce to come out victorious and recognized as the best in world history. The five major generals (George Marshall, Dwight Eisenhower, George Patton, Omar Bradley, and Douglas MacArthur) shall never be forgotten as the best generals America has ever had.
Hitler made a number of Military actions that can be attributed to him being the major cause of World War Two. The two main actions are the rearmament of Germany and the assistance his country provided in the Spanish Civil War. Hitler secretly began the rearmament of the German armed forced in 1932, this was in direct violation of The Treaty of Versailles. “Navy: 30 warships (1932) - 95 (1939) Air Force: 36 Aircraft (1932) - 8,250 (1939) Soldiers: 100,000 men (1932) - 950,000 (1939)” These statistics show a dramatic increase in the military power that Germany had. The increase in strength gave Hitler more confidence and power over other countries most importantly Germany’s smaller neighbours. “Hitler felt confident enough to publicly announce that there would be compulsory military conscription in Nazi Germany and that the army would be increased to 550,000 men.” The reintroductio...
Hitler's Aims and Actions as the Cause of World War II When considering the reasons for the outbreak of war in 1939 it is easy to place the entire blame on Hitler’s aggressive foreign policy in the late 1930s. One British historian, writing a few years after the end of the war, claimed that ‘the Second World War was Hitler’s personal war, in that he intended it, he prepared for it, he chose the moment for launching it.’ In this assignment it is my intention to show that Hitler’s foreign policy was a major factor in causing the conflict but that other reasons, both long term and short term, need to be recognised as well. Probably the first factor that need considering is the Treaty of Versailles, of 1919.
Rudolf Hess was a very intelligent man. He did all of this to try to help Hitler, out of his loyalty and faith in him, but when Hitler heard of what he had done, in a frenzy, he revoked all of his ranks. This is unhappy because all he was trying to do was help Hitler out, but instead it turned out to be the biggest mistake of his life. Rudolf Hess was a much laid-back man, but he could be very cruel at times. He was a very import man in the eyes of every Nazi during World War II.
as a historian it is clear that in the years of 1941 and 1942 things
Hitler wasn’t always a dictator of Germany, in fact; he never wanted to be in the army in the first place. But in spite of what he wanted he started off as a young soldier, and often rebelled because of the mixed ...
Support for the Nazi party was due to the growing belief that it was a
To avoid military duty in Austria Hitler relocated to Munich just as World War I commenced. Appreciating German customs and traditions he soon became a part of the Bavarian- German army. Although proving to be very courageous amongst his fellow- men Hitler did not advance in highe...
Rommel, a general, also argued to be one of the best strategists. Erwin Rommel was born on November 15, 1891 in Heidenheim. He made himself known in the First World War and was honored for his bravery. He achieved many small goals before becoming a big military figure. His real chance to gain power was in 1933, when Hitler was appointed Chancellor. Hitler recognized Erwin as a great strategist and helped Erwin Rommel’s quick rise to power. He got a nick name in world war two, The Desert Fox. Becoming a Nazi might have been Rommel’s biggest mistake since becoming a Nazi is what led to his downfall and eventually death.
The Responsibility of Hitler for World War Two In this essay I will be looking at the main causes of World War 2 and deciding whether it was all Adolf Hitler's fault that it began. I will be looking at things Hitler did, other causes and then concluding with my opinion. In some ways the war was Hitler's fault.
* Saarland was under LN control and after 15 years the people could vote if they wanted to belong to Germany or France
The Nazi rationale was heavily invested in the militarist belief that great nations grow from military power, which in turn grows "naturally" from "rational, civilized cultures." Hitler's calls appealed to disgruntled German Nationalists, eager to save face for the failure of World War I, and to salvage the militaristic nationalist mindset of that previous era. After Austria's and Germany's defeat of World War I, many Germans still had heartfelt ties to the goal of creating a greater Germany, and thought that the use of military force to achieve it was necessary.
World War II caused astonishing amount of death, warfare, and loss. A large portion of the death caused occurred in Nazi Germany as the terrible war waged on. Keeping the horrendous actions hidden from other countries, and even their own people was one of their largest successes with terrible results. When Germany surrendered in World War One the German population was not aware of the terrible consequences there would be, or that there would be any consequences at all. They were shocked and appealed to find that they were in such big trouble. This set the stage for two very infamous figures in German history, Adolf Hitler and Joseph Gobbles. They would create a sense of unity between German citizens again. However this would happen at a huge cost. The Nazi party used many different tactics to form a fatal sense of nationality in Germany.
This is what had made Hitler one of the greatest public speakers that the world had ever seen from his time and in history. "The German people and it 's soldiers work and fight today not for themselves and their own age, but also for many generations to come. A historical task of unique dimensions has been entrusted to us by the Creator that we are now obliged to carry out." Hitler, the Fuhrer of Germany, was a very talented spokesman in ways that leaders today could not even begin to compare with. He was charismatic and bold, making it easier for him to win over the minds of many Germans with these two traits. He believed that during his rise to power, he and the people of Germany had been given a duty by God to purify the nation of its imperfect races and weaker people so as to make the mother country strong again for future generations. "Those who want to live, let them fight, and those who do not want to fight in this world of eternal struggle do not deserve to live." In many ways, Hitler felt he was justified in what he was doing, and in some