What Happened Next?

From what’s been pieced together of his childhood, Hitler seems to have severe personality issues; the hot headed nature that his teachers describe, the anger over seemingly small things that Gustl recalls from his time has Hitler’s roommate in Vienna. The most prominent function of Hitler’s world views is his antisemitic rage. Which, during the Viennese years either seems to be repressed, or not yet developed fully.

Hitler’s coddled childhood left him unable to see his own responsibility for his situation and work to change it through changing himself. He had always lived off of others without ever needing to give too much back. His relatively free childhood, with reign of the house from a young age and his dependency on his aunt’s handouts throughout his time in Vienna left Hitler seldom responsible to someone other than himself. Hitler seemed lazy and comfortable manipulating the system when he continued to receive orphan benefits while leading a life that would not have been acceptable to his guardian. Hitler was secretive about his failures, such as refusing to reveal his rejection from the Arts Academy.

Another trait Hitler has is a need to control. This trait probably stems from his childhood interactions with his father, never quite getting the control he wanted over his own life until his father died. Hitler’s control issues are shown by the way he was a ringleader to his classmates, to the way in which he would control Gustl, preventing him from female company and viewing non-German orchestras.

Hitler seems to develop throughout the years spent in Vienna, beginning to accept responsibility and take action. Although a small step, he was able to paint small pictures when he needed money. However, Hitler did limited work, and cared little for the needs of his business partner. Overall, Hitler showed only insignificant signs of being able to take responsibility.

Undoubtedly, Vienna hardened Hitler and began to develop his view on the Jewish people. Hitler lived in a city of poorer Jews, who were “accepted by none, hated by many” and found that the “doctrines of Marxism and Zionism held some appeal.” (32) This was not lost on Hitler, who attributes his time spent in Vienna for the development of his antisemitic views. I doubt that Hitler’s full hatred of Jews had already developed, but seeds of it had been placed within him.

Honestly, after reading this, it surprises me that Hitler caused the destruction that he did. In these chapters, Hitler comes off as unmotivated and lazy. To cause such a world of chaos and despair, it takes someone who can muster up more than one painting a day. While it is true that some aspects of Hitler’s personality ring true to a future dictator, such as his controlling and opinionated nature, I see the Viennese Hitler as incapable of orchestrating the group of events that have a defining role in the 20th century. I wonder what happened next that encouraged Hitler to lead the world into war.