To what extent did Hitler manipulate the German population into following his Nazi regime?
From 1933-1945 Adolf Hitler rose to the peak of his political power, by creating a stronghold over the German people. The use of oratory skills, in conjunction with his knowledge and use of propaganda and his suppression of details of the Holocaust, created a vibe of “electric excitement” for Germany. (Fritzsche, 1998) His targeting of the German minority and his radical push for anti-Semitism allowed Hitler to corrupt a weak and innocent nation. Manipulative leadership was a dominant force in the birth of his extremist beliefs and propagation, though this was assisted by the responsiveness of the negligent-minded German population to his plans. With Germany having an increasing need for a strong-willed political leader and with Hitler’s determined attitude and a seeming passion to the nation made him the best candidate for this role. This would mean that Hitler’s skills and manipulation strategies were not entirely responsible for his rise to power; the contributing factor of the plasticity of the German population is evident as well.
Oratory skills was the main skill that Hitler used to rise himself to his peak of political and diplomatic power. Of course Hitler used many techniques to persuade the German’s to follow him, but you can’t deny his extraordinary oratory skills was his most influential tool: “In the beginning all he had his voice, it was his sole instrument.” (Grunfield 1974) The feeling of nationalism and pride spread through Germany due to Hitler’s speeches and prodigious communication. He installed a belief into the nation that they could move on from the past; the extreme hardship and horror of economic crisis that hit Ger...
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...nda techniques and corrupting the German youth, Hitler was able to convince an entire nation to follow his Nazi Regime.
“Hitler used his talents to his advantage, bewitching an innocent nation.” (Grunfield, 1974)
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According to the Breman Museum, “the Nazi Party was one of the first political movements to take full advantage of mass communications technologies: radio, recorded sound, film, and the printed word” (The Breman Museum). By publishing books, releasing movies and holding campaigns against Jews, antisemitism came to grow quickly, spreading all across Germany. The Nazi Party often referred to the notion of a “People’s Community” where all of Germany was “racially pure” (Issuu). They would show images of ‘pure’, blond workers, labouring to build a new society. This appealed greatly to people who were demoralized during Germany’s defeat in World War 1 and the economic depression of the 1920’s and 1930’s.
This investigation will address the research question, to what extent was Germany’s post-World War I economic depression a causal factor in Hitler’s rise to power from 1919 to 1934? With the Treaty of Versailles, the German government was required to pay 132 billion gold marks of war reparations, drastically worsened with the US Wall Street crash. This effectively crippled the German economy and created a desperate people. For this investigation, Hitler’s private life history and pre-military career will not be analyzed. His political rise will be examined from the perspective of economic and social factors. Several primary sources will be explored, including the Hitler’s Mein Kampf and Hitler’s 25-Point Program. In addition, tertiary sources covering Hitler’s non-personal life and rise to power will be studied.
The setting was perfect as the people of Germany were primed and ready for any leader that would tickle their ears with what they were wanting to hear. World War I was over (#4) and the people of Germany were in an economic depression that crippled the country. The German mark had lost so much value that it took a wheelbarrow full of money to buy a loaf of bread. A good portion of the youth in Germany were raised in fatherless homes. In an article written by Dr. Alice Hamilton, she says this about Hitler's youth: "They were children during the years of the war when the food blockade kept them half starved, when fathers were away at the front and mothers distracted with the effort to keep their families fed. They came to manhood in a country which seemed to have no use for them. Even compulsory military training was no more and there was nothing to take its place" (Perry et. al 358). Hitler, being the sleazy opportunist that he was, capitalized on this state of affairs. In ways that were not politically correct, he was able to influence this segment of the population and hold them in allegiance to his agenda. "Hitler made each insignificant, poverty stricken, jobless youth of the slums feel himself as of the great of the earth, since the youth was a German, a Nordic, far superior to the successful Jew who was driven out of office and counting house to make place for the youth and his like" (Perry et. al 359). The following is an example of how Hitler coerced and manipulated people and how we as managers and leaders can learn from his mistakes. This essay will also address how we can effectively influence people and earn their loyalty. In order to effectively influence peopl...
The youth of Germany were an important target for Hitler. He knew that if his dream for the thousand year Reich were to be fulfilled he needed the loyalty of the young German people. But how did he obtain that loyalty? How did he set about bending the German children’s hearts and minds to his will?
Fritzsche, Peter. Life and Death in the Third Reich. 1st Ed. ed. Cambridge, MA: Belknap of Harvard UP,
Hitler was furious with Germany’s surrender in World War I, so when he got back to his home in Munich, he was determined to enter politics and become the greatest leader in German history (Smith). He spent all of his time and effort trying to become the chancellor of Germany. Once he was voted into being chancellor, he needed a way to become the leader of all of Germany. Hitler gathered power through many acts of t...
Gesink, Indira. "Fascism, Nazism and Road to WWII." World Civilizations II. Baldwin Wallace University. Marting Hall, Berea. 3 April 2014. Class lecture.
During World War 2 there was a movement from Adolf Hitler to make use of the generation to come. He wanted the youth to grow into strong individuals that would promote his ideals and passionately die for them, if necessary. I have chosen to research more into this youth movement. I want to find out more about the Hitler Youth. How it began, how it developed, how they were managed, as well as its ultimate demise nearing the end of World War 2 are all facets I would like to know. Let’s begin with the first showing of a youth movement in Germany.
Numerous elections were held and this allowed Hitler to scheme his way to the top by 'wheeling and dealing'. Although by 1928 hitler's party only has 12 seats in the Reichstag but their was another additional factor which made all the difference. Hitler s efforts and the parties drive to succeed The use of propaganda was a clever tactic of Hitler 's. he promoted ideas to the German people that they wanted to hear and relating to issues that appealed to them. He used this method in his attempt to win them over.
Bartoletti, Susan Campbell. Hitler Youth [growing up in Hitler's Shadow]. New York: Random House/Listening Library, 2006. Print.
YEAR 10 HISTORY ESSAY: GERMANY’S FATAL ATTRACTION TO HITLER Adolf Hitler, easily one of the most influential people to have ever walked on the Earth. His rise to power also one of the most oppurtunistic seized to date. How did he achieve such a powerful control over Germany and its people? Through what you could call a series of unfortunate events.
Centuries later and the name Adolf Hitler still rings volumes till this present day: discussed in history books, talked about amongst intellects and commoners alike, and despised by many for years to come. Upon hearing his name many may think of all the negative things Hitler has done, but few fail to analyze just how one man created such controversy amongst a nation without being stopped. The question then lies how does a man reign over country and devastate it for years to come? Adolf Hitler, a man who excelled in persuasion and charisma was able to reign over Germany for years. Born in Austria April 20th 1889, Hitler grew up with many hardships in his life.
...ies through laws, policies, and campaigns enabled Adolf Hitler to charismatically lead the German nation as a totalitarian dictator, and control German life under the state. All aspects of Hitler’s governance provided an element of a totalitarian state from political principles to personal lives. During the years of The Third Reich, Hitler essentially remained the unchallenged Fuhrer of Nazi Germany and established a totalitarian state.