Hitler's Rise to Power Megan H

How was Hitler able to gain so much power?

There has been losts of discussion over the years on just how exactly Hitler became so powerful. One of the most influential leaders in history once started as a homeless artist. How can someone start from the very bottom, and become the leading cause of 5 million deaths?

Research suggests a major contribution to Hitler's power was his natural strength in speech. Media consultant, T.J Walker explains, "The lesson here is that public speaking, the power to move people to action through the spoken word, was and is still the most potent form of power in the world for good and evil. Hitler’s skill as a public speaker is especially intriguing in that it was seemingly his sole source for his rise to power" (Hitler, Kraus).

In addition, the Great Depression caused desperate citizens to look up to Hiter for solutions. A BBC article states, "The depression of 1929 created poverty and unemployment, which made people angry with the Weimar government. People lost confidence in the democratic system and turned towards the extremist political parties such as the Communists and Nazis during the depression" (Hitler).

Perhaps one of the most logical answers of Hitler's rise to power would becoming chancellor. History.com says, "Hitler’s emergence as chancellor on January 30, 1933, marked a crucial turning point for Germany and, ultimately, for the world. His plan, embraced by much of the German population, was to do away with politics and make Germany a powerful, unified one-party state. He began immediately, ordering a rapid expansion of the state police, the Gestapo, and putting Hermann Goering in charge of a new security force, composed entirely of Nazis and dedicated to stamping out whatever opposition to his party might arise. From that moment on, Nazi Germany was off and running, and there was little Hindenburg or von Papen—or anyone—could do to stop it" (Adolf).

Further more Hitler used propaganda to gain the public's support. A Holocause article explains, "There were several audiences for Nazi propaganda. Germans were reminded of the struggle against foreign enemies and Jewish subversion. During periods preceding legislation or executive measures against Jews, propaganda campaigns created an atmosphere tolerant of violence against Jews, particularly in 1935 (before the Nuremberg Race Laws of September) and in 1938 (prior to the barrage of antisemitic economic legislation following Kristallnacht). Propaganda also encouraged passivity and acceptance of the impending measures against Jews, as these appeared to depict the Nazi government as stepping in and “restoring order""(NAZI).

Hitler, like most leaders, wanted to gain the public's loyalty. To do so he made commitments to Germany. In Darlene R. Stille's Architects of the Holocaust, she explains, "The Nazis' promises appealed to great numbers of Germans, and popularity of the Nazi movement soared" ( Stille, Darlene , 12).

Finally, Hitler could use his power of chancellor to befit himself. A timeline over Hitler's life says, "The Enabling Act passed—powers of legislation pass to Hitler’s cabinet for four years, making him virtual dictator. He proclaims the Nazi Party is the only political party permitted in Germany. All other parties and trade unions are disbanded. Individual German states lose any autonomous powers, while Nazi officials become state governors"( Hitler's).

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