Names like Stalin and Hitler strike a sour cord when they are spoken. However, they became huge rulers of important countries, and we are left to wonder why. How could someone like Hitler have the chance to rise to power? One answer historians have come across is the German Depression in 1929. The economy was weak, and the people were desperate, desperate for almost anything. The country needed something new, something to take them out of the deep hole WWI had put them in. Money was down, and their spirits were broken. The German government held a new election to try and save the economy. The Nazi Party won that important victory, capturing 18.3% of the vote to make it the second largest party in the Reichstag.
A familiar face appeared in the picture. Adolf Hitler offered hope, national pride, and a brighter future. His background story was almost completely discarded in the blind dash to revival. This included his failed attempt at an armed overthrow of local authorities in Munich, known as the Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, his horrible childhood, and the hovering fact that he hated all Jews. However, the people liked him. Hitler's face, for now, was the savior for their dying country, and that was how Hitler came to be.
In 1933 Hitler became Chancellor of Germany, and so the Nazi Party suddenly found itself in control of a modern state government. Hitler and top Nazis saw immediately that for Germany to become a dictatorship, the Nazi Party and the German government had to become one and the same.
As we all can conclude, when Hitler rose to power, the country of Germany began to crumble, and the people didn't even know that until it was too late. They had no idea that the name “Hitler” would be the most hated name in the entire world a hundred years later. They would soon find out that he planned nothing for the people, but for the advances in Germany’s power, and the abolishment of the Jewish race.
Some may argue that Hitler climbed all the way to the top out of pure genius tactics and captivating speeches. Hitler was a politically sound man, but he couldn't have come all the way up the rankings by himself. He had to have some serious help to slip into his position. The people had to vulnerable, and weak. They had to be desperate, and the German Depression was the perfect time to do that. Hitler knew that he could manipulate the German people if he could give them what they wanted, and what they thought they needed. The people bought it, and his methods of secret control lead to greater power.
It is clear that without the depression, Hitler never could have come to power. It was how his party got elected into the government, and it was how he gained the support of his much-needed citizens that he ever had a chance. Hitler, no doubt, was a phenomenal speaker, and a captivating leader, but his talents would have useless without the weakened economy and the desperate government.
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15 comments:
i agree with what you say about Hitler using the depression to show that he will give the people what they want so they will love him. There is no way he would have been able to do what he did all by him self.
Is this to say that anyone could have or would have done the same? I think we have to give Hitler a little credit for seizing an opportunity. Does the depression make his rise inevitable?
I agree with what you say about the help that Hitler recieved in coming into power. Do you think that some of that power came from the people as well as political operatives?
I dont think Hitler should have done what he did but still the people shouldnt have believed any of his words and then they wouldnt be in this mess, the Holocaust wouldnt have happened if the people just didnt believe Hitler and elect him as ruler. he wasnt loyal or trustworthy at all
Hitler definitely took advantage of the weakened German economy, and he used the Jewish population as a type of scapegoat. The German people perceived their misery being held in the hands of Jewish bankers, shop owners etc. Hitler used this collective anger to elevate him to power.
I agree with you saying Hitler used the depression to make people love him. He couldnt of done it himself.
To rachie2294^^
You never really know how else history could have played out and I think that Hitler gave Germans a spark of hope that no one else had accomplished at giving them, even if he killed millions of people. I don't really think the people had much of a choice of what to believe and if they did make a choice they were put under the influence of loads of propoganda for Hitler! Even when Hitler was ruler it was obey... or Die. I would have obeyed if those were my options!
Obviously, Hitler was a bad guy. However, the way was he manipulated the German people into thinking he could give them what they needed during the hard times was genius. Good Job Sophia!
Amazing job Sophia:) Like most of the comments above, I would have to agree that Hitler persuaded the people to appreciate him, even though the people didnt know what they were getting themselves into. But, like Mr. Swenson said, you do have to give him credit because that was not the easiest thing in the world to do.
I absolutely think that Hitler is crazy and heartless for doing what he did. But i agree with rachie. the people that saw thing going on should have seen that what he was doing was wrong and done something to stop it.
I absolutely think that Hitler is crazy and heartless for doing what he did. But i agree with rachie. the people that saw thing going on should have seen that what he was doing was wrong and done something to stop it.
Hitler was a genious. This one man alone manipulated the minds of millions with promise after promise, and he made them comfortable with the idea of whipping out thousands of innocent people. Thats pretty incredible. Stalin on the otherhand hid his massacure from Russia. Hitler just threw his hatred for Jews out in the open and was still a loved leader.
I really think that even if the Great Depression hadn't happened, Hitler would have come into power one way or another. He was a crazy, sociopathic, power-hungry man; who would do ANYTHING to gain power. Although the Great Depression was a contributing factor to his rise in power, and it was an opportune moment, I think Hitler's hunger for power was inevitable.
Although I agree that Hitler used the Depression to his advantage, I also have to disagree in the sense that Hitler actually was an extremely manipulative man and he probably could have risen into power even if they weren't in a huge depression. Just like Dani said, he was insane and psychotic and could manipulate people more than anyone else throughout history.
i totally agree with you, Hitler came to the rescue of the Germans, so they thought, but i also think that maybe through time Hitler might have to power on his own with out the help of the great depression. Using his power and his ability to communicate through his party he joined and eventually became the head of the party.
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