HIST3025Hitler 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

• Held republicans responsible for chaotic, inflation-ridden post-war German economy

Hitler and DemocracyRejected 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”

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

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

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

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’

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)

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

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 Kampf as crucial document of societal crisis in Germany in 1920s