Adolf Hitler Research Paper

Economic hardship after the first World War was a factor that propelled Hitler into his position as dictator of Germany. There were many causes for Hitler’s rise but the leading factors were the Great Depression and the harsh Treaty of Versailles. The Great Depression between 1930-1932 was by far the worst portion of the entire experience. Although many people were already unemployed and surviving on the Governments meagre allowance, Bruening (the Hunger Chancellor) cut this allowance by a severe amount. Next, The Treaty of Versailles, was too unfair for all the Germans, especially Hitler. Alternatively, there were factors that also contributed to Hitler’s rise to command that were not economic. These include his captivating personality that …show more content…
Although Hitler was originally perceived as someone who could easily be underestimated by many. Thousands of starving, unemployed and fearful people turned to their Fuhrer for redemption. Hitler knew that Germany was in distress and needed assistance. He knew this because during the Depression and the Treaty many of Germans “felt a sense of Schadenfreude” [Brendon, 2000], Hitler’s overwhelming personality and excessive nationalistic speeches had many under his spell. A German convert stated that “there was only one thing for [him], either win with Adolf Hitler or to die for him” [Brendon, 2000]. It is clear that Hitler’s personality was extremely hypnotic that people would sacrifice themselves for their presumed saviour. Although Hitler was seemed as the perfect leader figure, within his younger years one of his teachers described him as “having a lack of self-discipline, being notoriously cantankerous, wilful, arrogant and bad-tempered” [Swinton 1994]. But this side of him was rarely shown within his time leading up to his chancellorship. He also captured the hearts of Germany due to him being a corporal in the First World War and due to his ordinary childhood and family tree. Hitler did not come from any famous or rich family. This allowed him to connect with society much more. Time magazine describes Hitler as a strong leader figure as he was giving multiple “press interviews as though he were already Chief of State” [Time magazine, 1931]. Hitler never wavered in any of his gaudy and hoarse speeches to his fine nation. While his detailed character was definitely a factor in his rise as leader. Without his aggressive side, he would never have made the irrational decision, “fearing that the paramilitary Storm-Troopers had become too powerful, to murder the organization’s leaders!” [Swinton,1994] The Night of the long knives, occurred in Nazi Germany from June 30

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