Explain the factors that led to the rise of hitler
Answers
1. Long-term bitterness
Deep anger about the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles created an underlying bitterness to which Hitler’s viciousness and expansionism appealed, so they gave him support.
2. Ineffective Constitution
Weaknesses in the Constitution crippled the government. In fact, there were many people in Germany who wanted a return to dictatorship. When the crisis came in 1929–1933 – there was no one who was prepared or able to fight to stop Hitler.
3. Money
The financial support of wealthy businessmen gave Hitler the money to run his propaganda and election campaigns.
4. Propaganda
Nazi propaganda persuaded the German masses to believe that the Jews were to blame and that Hitler was their last hope.
5. Programme
Hitler promised everybody something, so they supported him.
1. Long-term bitterness
Deep anger about the First World War and the Treaty of Versailles created an underlying bitterness to which Hitler’s viciousness and expansionism appealed, so they gave him support.
2. Ineffective Constitution
Weaknesses in the Constitution crippled the government. In fact, there were many people in Germany who wanted a return to dictatorship. When the crisis came in 1929–1933 – there was no one who was prepared or able to fight to stop Hitler.
3. Money
The financial support of wealthy businessmen gave Hitler the money to run his propaganda and election campaigns.
4. Propaganda
Nazi propaganda persuaded the German masses to believe that the Jews were to blame and that Hitler was their last hope.
5. Programme
Hitler promised everybody something, so they supported him.
Conclusion
In short, Hitler's rise was a calculated thing with a lot of steps to cross. At each point, he destroyed his opponents and got public to view him favorably.
Leaders don't get selected for the diplomas and work experiences during the tough times. It is actually a disadvantage to have high pedigree and conventional backgrounds in those periods. In tough times, people go for unconventional leaders as they believe that the conventional leaders failed to deliver. Thus, his lack of degrees and strong professional career was not an impediment.
For instance, at the end of Vietnam war, oil crisis, Watergate and Iran refugee crisis in 1970s, US elected two unconventional leaders - Carter and Reagan - outsiders who were thought of as an antidote to the prevailing rot in politics.
Hitler had that precise advantage. He was an outsider and he was mesmerizing. People wanted to believe what he said was right. Although he was an Austrian, he was always impressed of Germany, fought for Germany and many Germans didn't realize he was an Austrian.
Timeline of Hitler's rise
1914-1918 - Various Iron Cross honors in army for heroic performance in WW-I
1920 - Joined the NSDAP (Nazi) party and got mentored by Eckart. Got connections, funding and speech training.
1923 - Failed coup that gave national level publicity. Wrote Mein Kampf in prison.
1929 - US Wall Street crash that started the Great Depression and destroyed the German economy. Nazis win their first win in a referendum held on whether Germany should continue to pay penalties to France.
1930 - Collapse of a grand coalition of right and left wing parties in Germany.
1932 - Hitler appointed the Chancellor as the President had no alternatives.
1933 - The Parliament set on fire and blame fell on the opposition. Repression of opponents of Nazis.
1934 - President Hindenburg died and Hitler took all the powers to himself.
What is scary about Hitler is that his rise was neither that extraordinary nor that sudden. There was almost a natural progress and this is where the world must learn more about Hitler to prevent the rise of an another Hitler.