Ian Kershaw argues that Hitler’s journey to be the main attraction of the DAP, “had been shaped by circumstance, opportunism, good fortune, and, not least, the backing of the army” (p.128) As I briefly argued in my last post, I believe that Hitler’s unique abilities are being overlooked. Kershaw makes a valid argument that Hitler was fortunate to have been noticed by Captain Karl Mayr as well as coming into politics while the radical right was gaining support. Kershaw neglects to highlight the importance of Hitler’s ability to constantly work to create an effective image for himself and drive his message home. Hitler effectively sculpt an image, a task that many celebrities and politicians slave over today. He also recognized the necessary speech methods to attract audiences and motivate them.
Hitler made many small, yet effective moves to portray himself as “a man of the people”. While speaking at the Festsaal of the Hofbrauhaus Hitler stood in the middle of the crowd on top of a beer table. Such a simple move distinguished Hitler from any other speaker. This move also shows that he was one with the people rather fixed in front of them. Another move, although maybe not deliberate, is the fact that he frequented Munich cafes. By immersing himself in the public, during his free time, he both recruited members as well as showed that he comes from the people. Lastly, Hitler is known for using rough notes during his speeches. By not relying on notes, it showed that Hitler truly cared about what he was preaching. It showed that his message came from his heart not the paper.
Throughout this week’s reading, Kershaw touches upon how ideas were less important to Hitler as compared to how they were received. This shows how Hitler was always concerned about his image. Kershaw goes on to state how Hitler presented “unoriginal ideas in an original way” (p.133). This is most evident with his tone. My last response, touched upon how Hitler demonstrated passion towards his interest growing up. This passion exudes through his tone to draw in audiences and distinguish himself from his competitors. Kershaw states,
“His main ability by far…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” (p.132)
The public felt humiliated by the war and angry from the political chaos. Hitler’s tone conveyed this concern. Hans Frank mentions that Hitler spoke from the heart. By doing so, Hitler is able to show that he shares the feelings of the public and truly cared about creating an honorable nationalist Germany.
On top of his tone, Hitler continues to drive home his message through simple slogans and repetition. Kershaw makes it clear that Hitler did not bring any new ideas to the radical right’s movement. What Hitler did bring is a new effective way of conveying this message. Hitler recognized that simple messages and repetition hammered his message into the audience’s brain, a tactic that speakers use today. More importantly, as Kershaw points out, this simplicity mobilized the masses. “The crowds that began to flock in 1919 and 1920 to Hitler’s speeches were not motivated by refined theories. For them, simple slogans, [kindled] the fires of anger…” (p. 137). Hitler certainly was lucky to be noticed by Mayr, yet I doubt the radical right’s movement would have been as effective without Hitler, who ignited the public in order to help eventually establish rule over the German state.
It is embarrassing to argue on behalf of Hitler’s intellect. Nevertheless, while acknowledging that Hitler had immense luck in getting noticed by Mayr as well as the conditions of the state in which his political career began; Hitler was the first and most effective public relations agent who was able to convey a message and mobilize his audience mainly through an image.
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