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HIST3025 Hitler and the National Socialist Ideology

HIST3025 Hitler and the National Socialist Ideology. Lecture 9: Leadership, Propaganda, Mobilization 2 May 2013. Hitler and Weimar Republic. Rejected Weimar Republic : Saw Nov 1918 revolution as Jewish-inspired Blamed republicans to have accepted armistice and Versailles Treaty

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HIST3025 Hitler and the National Socialist Ideology

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  1. HIST3025Hitler and the National Socialist Ideology Lecture 9: Leadership, Propaganda, Mobilization 2 May 2013

  2. Hitler and Weimar Republic Rejected Weimar Republic: • Saw Nov 1918 revolution as Jewish-inspired • Blamed republicans to have accepted armistice and Versailles Treaty • Held republicans responsible for chaotic, inflation-ridden post-war German economy

  3. Hitler and Democracy Rejected democracy in principle: • Predicted rule of inferior people • Expected marginalisation of natural leaders • Foresaw levelling-down of political talents • Saw parliamentarians as mediocre figures constantly adapting policies to masses • Regarded parliamentarians as opportunists, irresponsible for wrong decisions, “gangsters”

  4. Hitler’s ‘Leadership Principle’ • No discussion (democratic principle) but obedience to leaders • No down-top (democratic principle) but top- down authority for leaders • No limited responsibility (parliamentarian principle) but unlimited authority for leaders

  5. Hitler’s Model Leader • Theoretician: Correct theoretical insights in laws of history as racial struggle • Organiser: Good organisational talents • Psychologist: Able transmitter of ideas to masses → Combination of all = Great Leader / Great Man

  6. Hitler and Propaganda Based on analysis of Germany’s failings in WW I → Paved way to Nov 1918 revolution → Absolute necessary tool for future leader to be able to move masses • Must not appeal to reason but to emotions (‘the heart’) • Must create ‘mass suggestion’ in crowds

  7. Hitler’s Mass Suggestion • No deception but articulation of established beliefs • No dupe but mobilization of already latent thoughts = Mobilization of ‘healthy’ national sentiment = Proclamation of ‘general will’ by ‘one man’

  8. Hitler’s NS State • Militarist & authoritarian • Dominant master with totalitarian ambitions • Mobilising ‘healthy members’ • Suppressing enemies = Totalitarianism PLUS: • Head of broad process of national mobilization • Agent of biological revival of race • Strong position from ability to reflect popular sentiments (resentments)

  9. Popular resentments in 1920s • Extreme nationalist resentments:  Versailles Treaty: ‘War Guilt’ clause  Jews; Socialists; Marxists; Poles; ‘November criminals’; republicans; mentally/physically ills; socially marginalised groups = Popular beliefs in German public in 1920s

  10. 1920s Crisis and Mein Kampf • Expression of general bitterness after war • Unwillingness of accepting military defeat • Disorientation in democracy & economic crisis • Search for ‘scape-goats’ for disaster & chaos = Mein Kampfas crucial document of societal crisis in Germany in 1920s

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