However, in contrast to the above, some argue that it must also be remembered that Stresemann did hold nationalist ideologies, Germany and the Weimar republic did seem to recover from this dark period and their economy gave the impression of stability. Referred to sometimes as ’relative stabilization’ (Hinton & Hite, chapter 4, the ‘golden years’) Germany appeared to go through a period of prosperity. The economy recovered, the arts flourished and the welfare system strengthened. Despite this, there was still political instability. Throughout the years 1923-29 Stresemann endured campaigns of vilification.( Hinton & Hite, chapter 4, the ’golden years’ )
In 1929 perhaps the most dramatic change in economy occurred which it could be argued played a major factor in the downfall of democratic Germany as it had been known; The Wall Street Crash. This event was so devastating to the German population that one historian William Carr put forth the argument; ‘It is inconceivable that Hitler could ever have come to power had not the Weimar Republic been subjected to the unprecedented strain of the world economic crisis.’(Hinton and Hite, Weimar and Nazi Germany)
Germany was forced into a vicious cycle of economic depression. With the Weimar republic believing the economy would repair its self and the lack of willing potential investors, Germany’s economy went from bad to worse. For example, by 1932 eighteen thousand farmers had gone bankrupt and between the years 1930-1932. Fifty-thousand businesses had gone bust. Six million people were left unemployed in Germany alone. It could be argued that the action taken by the Weimar Republic actually did more harm than good. For example one measure taken, was to cut expenditure. War veteran pension schemes were reduced much to the embitterment of many already nationalistic soldiers from the Great War. This economical unrest within Germany left the society looking for stability, strength and a new leader with a nationalistic approach. Hitler appealed to large parts of the German population with arguments of socialist rhetoric and economic stability. (Chambers World History p575)
Turning to the intentionalist perspective; a viewpoint which tends to emphasize Hitler’s character and his world view. Perhaps the key evidence to support the intentionalist argument is Hitler’s ideas and aspirations outlined in Mein Kampf. For example: Hitler clearly explains his plans of invasion to further the ’supreme race’ (Aryan) And furthermore illustrates his hatred of the Jewish people.
‘The mightiest counterpart to the Aryan is represented by the Jew’(www.historyplace.com )
Even so despite Hitler’s extreme rhetoric found in Mein Kampf it’s all to easy to forget that in some circles Hitler was a popular politician prior to 1933. For example despite its eventual failure, the Munich beer hall putsch illustrated the willingness of Nazi party members to follow Hitler. His speech and ability to deceive large majorities led to an eventual almost unquestionable belief in him.
‘The great mass of people…will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one.’ (Adolf Hitler, p752 History in quotations) Following the consequential failure of the putsch Hitler was given a national platform in court and his nationalistic ideologies rang out with some success over Germany. It is with this popularity and strength of character that Hitler came to be the leader of the Nazi party. Once at its helm he managed draw vast support underlining the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic and offering to instil pride in Germany once again.(Chambers World History, p370)
It must also be remembered that the threat of Bolshevism aided Hitler’s ascension to power. Whilst this may be construed as a somewhat structuralist viewpoint it can be argued that without Hitler’s strong leadership qualities Germany would have turned to Bolshevism. For Example: ‘Today there is no point being fussy about legal subtleties. What matters first is to let a strong, efficient government grow and then to support it whole-heartedly in order to suppress Bolshevism.’ (Karl Bachem, Zentrium History in Quotations, p754) Hitler was arguably the greatest threat to Bolshevism and as a result had the aristocrats’ and Bourgeois on side. However, with his powerful speeches he managed to gather the support of the working classes, many of whom would have favored Bolshevism. It could be also argued that the European united fear of Bolshevism led to many of the western allies allowing Hitler to carry on. Once again it is important to underline that prior to 1933 Hitler was a popular politician. Despite his anti-Semitic views and those views published in Mein Kampf he was construed as the lesser of two evils. Hitler capitalised on this world wide opinion of himself. For example Kershaw supports this argument with the following; ‘His main ability by far, as he came to realise during the course of 1919, was that in the prevailing circumstances he could inspire an audience which shared his basic political feelings, by the way he spoke, by the force of his rhetoric, by the very power of his prejudice, by the conviction he conveyed that there was a way out of Germany's plight, and that only the way he outlined was the road to national rebirth.’
(I. Kershaw, Hitler 1889-1936: Hubris 2000) This outlines again the importance of Hitler as a leader and public speaker and also underlines the intentionalist argument further.
In conclusion, in many ways the essay question is complex and multilayered as a result of contrasting historical perspectives. An attempt has been made to offer a synthesis approach between different historical schools of thought. It has been highlighted that Hitler voiced upbeat national messages which subsequently flattered the German national character, this in turn served to help Hitler’s rise to power. It was his appeal to large parts of the German population with arguments of socialist rhetoric and economic stability which aided him further allowing him to become leader of the Nazi party. Once at its helm, he managed draw vast support by highlighting the weaknesses of the Weimar Republic and offering to instill pride in Germany once again. This outlines again the importance of Hitler as a leader and public speaker and also underlines the intentionalist argument further. It can be perceived from this synthesis that it was a combination of factors which fundamentally led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazis within Germany post World War One.
Bibliography
Christopher R. Browning, The Path to Genocide, Cambridge University Press 1992.
Ian Kershaw, The Nazi Dictatorship, Problems and Perspectives of Interpretation, Arnold 2000.
Chambers, Dictionary of World History, Chambers Harrap 2000.
Hinton & Hite, chapter 4, the ‘golden years’ London 2004 Hinton and Hite, Weimar and Nazi Germany, London 2004.
, Hitler's Book "Mein Kampf", M.J Cohen and John Major, History in Quotations, Cassell 2004
Ian Kershaw, Hitler 1889-1936, Hubris 2000
Word count: 1438