Reasons Behind Hitlers Rise


 
 
Concept Explanation
 

Reasons Behind Hitlers Rise

There are some factors contributing to the meteoric rise of Hitler:

  • Hitler was a powerful orator. His speech could mesmerise the masses.
  • He promised  to build a strong  nation, undo the injustice of the Versailles Treaty and restore the dignity of the German people.
  • He assured employment for unemployed people and a secure future for the youth.
  • He introduce a new style of politics . The Nazi party held massive rallies and public meetings to demonstrate the support for Hitler and this massive mobilization created a sense of unity among the German people.
  • Nazi propaganda skilfully projected Hitlers as a messiah, a saviour and as a someone who had arrived to save people from their distress.
  • Hitler came during such a period when the dignity and pride of German people were totally shattered due to the defeat in First world war. followed by the humiliating Treaty of Versailles. the crises in the economy , polity and society formed the background of Hitler's rise to power
  • In this situation of despair, Nazi propaganda gave hopes of a better future to the German people. In 1928, the Nazi Party got no more than 2.6 per cent votes in the elections to the Reichstag the German Parliament. By 1932, it had become the largest party with 37 per cent votes. Hitler was a powerful speaker. His passionate speeches about the Fatherland and promises inspired people.

     (i) The crisis in the economy, polity and society formed the background of Hitler’s rise to power. Born in 1889 in Austria, Hitler spent his youth in poverty. The German defeat horrified him and the Versailles Treaty made him furious (1st reason). In 1919, he joined a small group called the German Workers’ Party. He subsequently took over the organisation and renamed it the Nationalist Socialist German Workers’ Party. This party came to be known as the Nazi Party. Hitler assured the Germans about the establishment of the old prestige. (ii) The economic crisis : Germany had to face a great economic crisis after the First World War. Many soldiers were no longer in service, so they became unemployed. Trade and commerce was ruined. Germany was in the grip of unemployment and starvation. (iii) Exploiting the mentality of the Germans : The Germans had no faith in democracy. It was against their culture and tradition. They at once gave their support to a strong man like Hitler who could transfer their dreams into reality. (iv) Making the best use of his personal qualities : Hitler was a powerful orator, an able organiser.

    Promise made by Hitler were as follow :

    1.  He promised to build a strong nation, undo the injustice of the Versailles Treaty, restore the dignity of the German people and create opportunities for unemployed people. He promised employment for those looking for work and a secure future for the youth.

    2.  He promised to weed out all foreign influences and to resist all foreign conspiracies against Germany.

     
     


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