Hitler: World War Ii and History Study Center Essay

Submitted By sanfer292013
Words: 1745
Pages: 7

Hitler, A Prominent Leader He is considered one of the most evil, mass murdering, psychopaths in the course of world history. He had an idea of creating one Master Race and a quest for world domination. The attempted annihilation of races can only be thought of as insane yet the German population viewed Adolph Hitler as a strong competent leader that could lead their nation back to power and prestige. Hitler's political and economic strategies were nearly impeccable. It has been debated over the years whether or not Adolph Hitler was a good leader for his country. Aside from Adolf Hitler's wicked nature, he was arguably the most successful leader in German History due to his economic reforms and invaluable diplomatic skill hat saved Germany from utter collapse and despair. After World War I the German nation was in a state of political confusion and economic ruin. The Treaty of Versailles demanded demilitarization and occupation of the Rhineland, and special status for the Saarland under French control. It was presented to German leaders on May 7, 1919 and signed on June 28, 1919. The treaty played a huge role in the falling German economy, and trust in their leaders. It didn’t only make Germany responsible for the costs of World War I, it also cost them a lot of money in reparations. The treaty also made Germany give up all of the occupied territories they took during the First World War. The Treaty of Versailles forced Germany to give up their territories to Belgium, Czechoslovakia, and Poland. The Germans returned Alsace and Lorraine, which was annexed in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian War to France. All German overseas colonies became part of the League of Nations, and the city of Danzig with its large German cultural population, became a Free City. As a result of the treaty Germany had to give up 10% of their land, and all of their overseas colonies to their allies, and everyone they defeated. After World War I the German nation was in a state of political and economic ruin. In September of 1928 there were over 650,000 people unemployed in Germany. The United States gave Germany 90 days to start reparations payments because of the stock market crash. By 1930 unemployment was over 3 million. German manufacturing fell 17%, bankruptcies were increasing, farmers were hurting, and nationwide hunger was upon them. The German people were quickly losing faith in their leaders. Germany’s Parliamentary Coalition (Governing Body) falls apart and new elections are held. Hitler’s National Socialist Party is rapidly gaining popularity and strength. It was Hitler's style, oratorical talents, and his remarkable ability to transmit emotions and feelings in his speeches that took him to the leadership of the National Socialist Party. They go from only 12 seats to 107 becoming the second largest political party in the nation. Hindenburg (Germany’s current leader) does not want the Socialist to gain power. He sees Hitler as rabble rouser so he selects Bruning of the Catholic Center Party to form a government. Under emergency powers, Bruning would rule as Chancellor. He tried to restore economic equilibrium by a balanced budget. He raised the interest rates and declared no emergency deficit spending. The economy, however; continued to slide. Hitler and his Socialist Party are now becoming very popular among the masses. Hitler was a great public speaker. Through his power of speech the people begin to see him as a true nationalist, devoted to his country. Speech was the essential medium of his power. He promises to stomp out big city corruption, calls for spiritual revolution and national pride. He also calls for a strengthened Germany and an end to reparations. He promises to restore Germany’s borders, jobs for the unemployed and overall unity of the German nation. At this point Hitler has caught the attention of the young unemployed malcontents which will later make up the majority of his storm troopers. Industrialist and