Although it may seem obvious, the Hitler Myth’s fallibility stems from what it is: a myth. The deification of Hitler, or any leader for that matter, seems bound to fail. And yet quite remarkably, it seems as if the myth would have continued quite successfully if not for the military losses sustained by Germany in WWII.
In fact, the beginnings of WWII only strengthened Germany’s faith in the Fuhrer. The war presented Hitler with a stage of furthering asserting his dominance, and he embraced the role as all-powerful military commander broadcasting “no fewer than nine major speeches […] from January 1940 to June 1941” (153). Kershaw comments how Hitler’s speech in November 1940 dispelled the economic worries of the ensuing war and reinvigorated the population (157). This speaks towards Hitler’s allure that was been present since he began campaigning as a politician: his ability as an orator. Indeed, Kershaw quotes a woman “remarking on ‘how wonderful it was, with what faith the Fuhrer spoke’” (158).
A contrast can be seen once Germany started suffering military defeats. Apprehension and discontent began to creep back into the populace. As the war continued and German’s military successes decreased, Hitler “ came to speak in public less and less frequently, despite being urged to do some by Goebbels and others” (153). This can simply be attributed to the fact that Hitler had fewer successes to report, and that victory and an end to the war was no longer in sight. And from this point forward, the Hitler Myth began to unravel. It seems that the Hitler Myth extended only as long as Hitler’s political rhetoric was able to inspire and galvanize the German people.
I do agree that WWII played a very important role in Hitler's popularity. As professor mentioned in class, series of military successes helped convince the public that Hitler indeed possessed special powers as the myth claimed.
ReplyDeleteThe military successes had especially big impact on the German public because they have been so bitter about their defeat on WWI. Their resentment towards the government, their economic situation, Germany's foreign relationships dramatically increased after the Versailles Treaty. Military successes in WWII under Hitler restored the the public's pride and faith towards the government. Due to the militaristic miracles, Hitler's special power as a charismatic leader was proven and even more people started to strongly believe Hitler was the fuhrer and the redeemer of Germany.
Kershaw mentions, "The function of the victories in providing the regime with even more extensive popular backing seems undeniable" (155). Even the opponents of the regime "admitted that it was hard to remain aloof from the jubilant victory mood" (155).
Kershaw mentions that the "emotional attachment to Hitler was rooted in the notion that he represented the ideal of national community and national greatness, that he was leading Germany to greater prosperity" (152). Of course when the Germans begin going through defeat, this belief in the Hitler myth begins to wear away. As mentioned, Hitler knew that his role is to bring good news to the people, something that begins to dwindle as the war dragged on. I also believe that since during the start of the war Hitler stimulates the people's morale and gives them hope for an early end, when he began to spoke in public less people began to think that Germany was not faring so well. By not stirring them on made it more obvious to the people that there was no good news to tell. The deterioration of the Hitler myth was due to the fact that since Hitler began to make less speeches the people began to lose their faith in Hitler. I believe if he listened to the advice Gobbels gave him, and still went out to stir up the people, maybe people's belief in the Hitler myth would have lingered longer.
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