Hitler and Nazism

Author: Crodi
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-07-01
Features: The rise of Nazism was not an accidental event, unlike how it is sometimes depicted in historical literature outside Germany, especially concerning World War II. At that time, there was a tendency to emphasize the continuity between the Reformation of Luther and Nazism, almost to the point of concluding that German history had no connection whatsoever with the history of Western Europe. This view mirrored the perspectives held in nationalist and conservative historical works, which is why Nazism's enthusiastic embrace of this viewpoint was not surprising. To them, the so-called "special path" (Sonderweg) was not only about consolidating Germany's status as a major power but also about completely rejecting various constitutional and social mechanisms (such as the parliamentary system), as they were deemed incompatible with German tradition and the character of the German people. On January 30, 1933, the German President appointed Hitler as Chancellor of the Weimar Republic, and German National Socialism (Nazism) rose to power under the guise of legitimacy. The German democratic mechanisms proved vulnerable, and by 1934 to 1938, totalitarianism was firmly established in Germany. With various repressive tools and a powerful ideology rooted in racism and imperialism, it ultimately led to the Nazi terror regime during World War II. Understanding Hitler's personal experiences and destiny in relation to Nazism, why Nazism rose to power, and its impact on the 20th century, remains key to comprehending modern Germany, Europe, and the world. The rise of Nazism was not an accidental event, unlike how it is sometimes depicted in historical literature outside Germany, especially concerning World War II. At that time, there was a tendency to emphasize the continuity between the Reformation of Luther and Nazism, almost to the point of concluding that German history had no connection whatsoever with the history of Western Europe. This view mirrored the perspectives held in nationalist and conservative historical works, which is why Nazism's enthusiastic embrace of this viewpoint was not surprising. To them, the so-called "special path" (Sonderweg) was not only about consolidating Germany's status as a major power but also about completely rejecting various constitutional and social mechanisms (such as the parliamentary system), as they were deemed incompatible with German tradition and the character of the German people. On January 30, 1933, the German President appointed Hitler as Chancellor of the Weimar Republic, and German National Socialism (Nazism) rose to power under the guise of legitimacy. The German democratic mechanisms proved vulnerable, and by 1934 to 1938, totalitarianism was firmly established in Germany. With various repressive tools and a powerful ideology rooted in racism and imperialism, it ultimately led to the Nazi terror regime during World War II. Understanding Hitler's personal experiences and destiny in relation to Nazism, why Nazism rose to power, and its impact on the 20th century, remains key to comprehending modern Germany, Europe, and the world.