On February 1st, 1933, Adolf Hitler stated numerous promises and described his vision for the betterment of Germany. His proclamation noted how, over the past fourteen years, the nation’s political leaders had failed to restore Germany to its former glory. The result, according to Hitler, was “a heap of ruins.” Hitler indicated he deserved the support of the people and believed they should give him four years to rebuild Germany. Following those four years, he would allow the people to judge him. Hitler’s speech was given to restore hope to the people and to rebuild their nationalistic pride. It gave the Germans a trust in Hitler. The hope which had been lost and eluded the German people for so long was now in their grasp. I believe Hitler was well aware of his intentions and used the opportunity to play to the people’s “weaknesses.”
Hitler stated that the national government “regards Christianity as the foundation of our national morality, and the family as the basis of national life.” This statement was subtle and it sounded good to the German people. I believe Hitler knew a statement regarding g faith and family would both calm and inspire the masses. This phrase stood out to me as I guess it would to others. The in congruency of his words and later actions in seeking to eradicate an entire race of people was, obviously, not a Christian concept or value. Hitler went on to add that “the National Government considers its highest mission to be the securing of the right to live and the restoration of freedom to our nation.” While these words sound lofty and beautiful, Hitler obviously ignored them in a short time to come.
Both of these statements caused me think of the countless number of groups that claim to be Christian yet justify their racist and prejudicial beliefs by suggesting they are supported by the Bible. In reading the second quote several more times, I began to understand it more. It appears as though Hitler meant what he said but also had hidden meanings at work in his mind at the same time. I doubt Hitler experienced a radical change in his thinking from the time of this speech until the time he began exterminating the Jews and other people groups. I simply believe his true self started to slowly unveil.
In America’s 2008 Presidential election, President Barack Obama’s slogan was “Change.” On August 19, 2008 he said, “Change doesn’t come from Washington. Change comes to Washington.” I want to make it clear that I am not equating Barak Obama with Adolf Hitler, I am merely noting the similarities between the campaign rhetoric of one and nationalistic proclamation of the other. The aspiring German leader told the people to give him four years and then to decide how well he had done. The same is true for President Obama; he would be elected for four years as president and then America would judge him on the kind of “change” he brought to the nation. As is usually the case in politics, both politicians blamed the current states of their respective nations on the failures of previous leaders. These are a few similarities I see regarding their conquests for leadership.
In chapter 26, our text book talks about the 1930’s and the years leading of to the Second World War. In 1929 the Great Depression issued a lot of stress not only on America but on the entire world. Another factor that would lead to WWII was the conflict between Ethiopia and Italy. The Spanish civil war and the invasion of China by Japan would continue to add tension to world affairs. All of this led to Hitler’s proclamation and his increased influence on the German public to lead to WWII.
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