I'm curious as to whether or not Hitler would have been as influential and iconic if this idea of the 'Great Man' was not planted into the minds of the public. Did Hitler need the creation of the 'Fuhrer myth' by his right wing party members to propel him into this seat of power? Had the idea of this heroic, patriotic, and even religious leader not been created, would Hitler fail to reach this peak of power?
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
The Myth before the Man
I find it quite peculiar the idealized idea of Hitler in relation to the "'Fuhrer myth'" proceeded Hitler, the person set in reality (25). It seems as though Hitler, relatively youthful (in his mid-thirties), was quite impressionable and especially malleable when the NSDAP refounded itself and began exercising its power over the masses. Hitler, whose personality bent and reshaped to fit the mold, was just as flexible as the vague, ambiguous, and overarching ideology of the Nazis. In this way, it only makes sense that a popular figure take center stage in the public eye to alleviate the sore fact that the Nazis had a "lack of ideological unity and clarity within the different factions of the Nazi movement" (26). While the ideology of the NSDAP waffled over topics, highlighted some, and downplayed others, the Fuhrer had to be "absolute in his propaganda speeches... he must never leave his listeners to think something else is right. The great leader... must communicate to his listeners an apodictic faith" (27). Despite the fact that prominent members in the party expressed more "sober" opinions and attitudes towards Hitler, Hitler served well as the vessel in which to garner political and national unity. It did not matter that Hitler was "quite apart from any personal qualities he might have seem to possess;" Hitler was the face of Party unity (27). One might even go as far as to say that, under the spell of the 'Fuhrer myth,' those who did not believe in Hitler did not believe in Germany, and thus, were traitors to the state.
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In this week's reading of The 'Hitler Myth', Kershaw highlights the importance of Germany's attitude towards 'heroic' leadership."The readiness to place all hope in 'leadership', in the authority of a 'strong man', has in itself not been peculiar to Germany."(1) Kershaw emphasizes the German trend to seek an ultimate leader, often referring to this leader with strong religious and spiritual undertones, using terms like "salvation" and "selected and blessed". "..he would be the 'bearer of godly power of destiny and grace.'"(20) With a mass so trained and willing to succumb to this 'heroic' leader, it is not surprising how quickly Hitler was able to come into power.
ReplyDeleteAt first, of course, the 'Fuhrer myth' remained strictly within the lines of the NSDAP. Hitler was seen as Fuhrer of the party, not necessarily the man that could provide salvation for all of Germany. Kershaw states the myth "was a creation of his following before Hitler himself adjusted to the role."(25) Hitler's role within the party was "consolidated and scarcely challengeable" after the refoundation of the NSDAP in 1925, and it was not until the mid 1930's, with Germany's growing economic crisis and increased Nazi support in the September Reichstag elections, that Hitler's role as Fuhrer began to apply to the whole of Germany rather than just the Nazi party.
The people's deeply rooted belief in the need for a Fuhrer allowed for Hitler's come to power. Without it, Hitler may never have succeeded.
After reading Ian Kershaw’s The ‘Hitler Myth’, it seems the ideas of a “great man” and “heroic leadership” were essential to Hitler’s success and appeal. He became the NSDAP’s symbol for all of their ideologies, policies, and beliefs. He became the symbol all of the supporters and followers could point their allegiance to and say that he would save Germany from all of its problems. As Lauren pointed out, Kershaw mentions how this looking for a heroic leader was rooted in Germany’s culture since the nineteenth century. Part of Hitler’s early appeal was that he was a war hero who won two Iron Crosses for serving in World War I. Kershaw then continues to describe how the Fuhrer cult developed and grew and how people started supporting Hitler and not necessarily the NSDAP. Through the constant propaganda and proclaiming of Hitler as the savior of Germany, he was able to become the great leader of Germany under the Fuhrer cult while undermining the direction of the NSDAP.
ReplyDeleteI think that one aspect of the Hitler myth that was especially effective in his rise to power was the distance it created between the figure of Hitler and his party members. Hitler seemed above his party in many ways, and many who disliked the Third Reich blamed the NSDAP leadership, as Kershaw points out in his book. This allowed Hitler a concentration of power without some of the negative consequences that accompany the usage of such power. If those who were skeptical or lukewarm regarding the Third Reich had seen Hitler and the NSDAP membership and leadership as perhaps a more united entity, it may have created a stronger and more direct opposition, instead of some believing that Hitler would be able to do better without the rest of the party.
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