Kershaw writes that it was once largely believed that Hitler was "the logical consequence of deep-seated flaws in the German national character, the culmination of a malformed history, misshapen through a propensity for authoritarianism, militarism and racism." This belief, one that places no blame on the rest of the world and points an accusing finger solely at Germany, simply does not stand up. It makes much more sense to consider the role of World War I in the success of Hitler, in addition to some aspects of Germany's development.
Germany has had a history of strong nationalism, specially associated with those of far-right ideologies. As Kershaw writes, the distortion of this nationalism is one important source of the development of Germany as a country supporting of Nazism. However, a strong sense of nationalism will not warp into fascism on its own accord. Only in the condition Germany was in following the war was it possible for that to happen. German pride was damaged by reparations to such a degree that the people were desperate for a reason to feel proud. This led to a willingness to accept the pluralism and racism that were rampant in post-war Germany.
I agree with John that Hitler's much of Hitler's success can be attributed to the effects of WWI on Germany. Having to carry all the blame for the outbreak of WWI and sign the Treaty of Versailles, it shouldn't be surprising how the Germans felt. Humiliation intensified or even distorted nationalistic feelings into one which was hostile, eager and desperately called for revenge, perhaps one of Hitler's most appealing policies. Taking advantage of peoples's hopelessness at the time, the dictator publicized himself as a savior figure, one who was able to pull Germany out of its misery and resurrect as a world power. Hitler, despite his personal charisma, would have in no way been able to muster so much support without the disastrous conditions of post-war Germany and the mindset of its citizens as a result.
ReplyDeleteGermany found itself in a completely awkward position following WWI. Germans always have looked at themselves as powerful and elite, and with their battered down national consciousness, Hitler filled a void. "Hitler did possess abilities and traits of character that contributed towards making him a political force to be reckoned with" (131). He embodied what the nation wanted to be: bold, brazen, proud, and aggressive. The German masses latched onto his ideology and clung to his radical views as a point of unification. When Hitler ideologically ripped into the Jews, he was conversely bolstering German national and ethnic pride.
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