There is perhaps no other man more reviled in modern history than Adolf
Hitler. His opinions, beliefs and vision brought the entire world to the
brink of war then pushed it over. The atrocities committed due to his ideals are
among the most horrendous mankind has ever known that resulted in death and
destruction. World War II along with the Holocaust needs to be remembered out of
respect for the dead as well as to educate future generations that it happened
and possibly could happen again. Nobody will ever be able to pinpoint what it
was exactly that drove him to such extremes but it is crucial to examine all
elements of his upbringing, formative years and adulthood in order to try to
comprehend what factors combined to make him such a hateful as well as
villainous man.
15) Hitler Was
Raised in an Authoritarian Household
Adolf Hitler's father was an Austrian customs official and a very strict hot
tempered man. Adolf subsequently grew much closer to his mother because of how
unpredictable and prone to rages his father was but she had a tendency to
overindulge him. Unfortunately, Adolf acquired many of the same personality
traits of his father while growing up and it was inevitable that arguments
sprung up often between the two. Father and son clashed over issues, such as:
Adolf's interest in art and his father's stark disapproval. As a result, the boy
became discontented and overly moody. That discontent haunted Adolf Hitler for
the rest of his life and was a fundamental part of the ideological foundations
he established. These ideologies later went on to fuel his anti-Semitic furor
and extreme notions about keeping the Nordic race pure.
14) At One Point,
Adolf Hitler Had Artistic Ambitions
According to the book "Hitler:
A Study in Tyranny",
Adolf moved to Vienna in 1905. While living there he adopted a Bohemian style of
living and was supported almost entirely by his mother along with orphan's
benefits. He attempted to pursue further education in the area of study that
appealed to him most, which was that of art. When painting landscapes and
buildings he had a traditionalist style. His ambitions to further his artistic
skill resulted in his applying to Vienna's Academy of Art. He was rejected twice
by the academy, once in 1907 and then again in 1908 due to his "unfitness for
painting". Despite this failure, Hitler chose to remain in Vienna and
supplemented his income. Most of his funds were given to him by his family and
sometimes he sold his paintings to art dealers, were a majority were Jewish.
It was during Hitler's time living in Vienna that he was exposed to rampant
anti-Semitism because local Viennese politics were rife with commentary that was
anti-Semitic in nature. It was common to hear people blaming Jewish people for
any and every type of obstacle or misfortune a non-Jewish person encountered.
While it is unknown specifically if this exposure is what ignited Hitler's own
anti-Semitic agenda, it is considered to be highly likely.
13) The Moustache
Was More Than Just Facial Hair
When one hears the name of Adolf Hitler, the countenance that comes to mind is
that of a stern face with a short clipped moustache decorating the expanse of
skin just beneath the nose. He was pressured to remove the moustache at various
points throughout his political career but steadfastly resisted every time,
stating that even if it wasn't in fashion at the time it would become so at a
later date simply because he wore it.
The origin of Hitler's moustache has become the point of numerous debates
where some speculate that it arose out of practical considerations, mainly being
a result of military regulations. In order to ensure his gas mask fit properly
with a complete seal, he would have had to trim his facial hair to a more severe
style. It is speculated by others that the moustache was a result of Hitler's
admiration of Charlie Chaplin. Another likely consideration is that the
particular style of moustache was fairly commonplace in the region of Austria
where Hitler spent his childhood.
The most valid suggestion is that Hitler recognized that his moustache served
as a stark visual aid. Regardless of whether this theory is true, it is
certainly the one that has left a legacy. The "toothbrush" moustache became
synonymous with racial persecution, anti-Semitism, fascism and oppression all
over the world.
Dr. Fritz Gerlich was a native of Munich and he was a staunch German
nationalist, he became even more passionate about this stance after Germany's
defeat in 1918. According to "The
Holocaust Chronicle,"
Gerlich became a political journalist and the editor of a highly conservative
Munich newspaper. In 1923 Gerlich received a visit from a man several years
younger than himself, who was highly controversial and the leader of the right
wing National Socialist German Worker's Party. Adolf Hitler assumed that because
Gerlich shared similar interests that they might become allies.
However, the very opposite occurred when Gerlich went on to become one of the
most dedicated, passionate as well as persistent opposers of Hitler and his Nazi
regime. The reason for this opposition is unclear to historians but it is
assumed to have arisen over an assurance Hitler made concerning Gustav von Kahr,
the governor of Bavaria, whom Gerlich supported. During an event known as the
Beer Hall Putsch, Hitler attempted to wrest power from von Kahr. This failed
coup and Hitler's rash behavior during it is speculated to have been the
birthplace of Gerlich's opposition.
Gerlich quickly became a marked man in the eyes of Hitler and the Nazis. He
had recognized earlier than most that at the core of Hitler's personality laid a
treacherous, deceptive and ruthless man. Gerlich made the decision to use his
journalistic skills in any manner he could to expose Hitler for what he truly
was and in his desire to do so Gerlich was not alone. There were a number of
other journalists that were just as dedicated to exposing the truth behind the
Nazis and their leader, many of these people worked for the Munich Post. These
journalists used investigative journalism coupled with sensationalist tabloid
headlining to expose the Nazis as scandal mongers, vicious men and murderous
louts who focused only on furthering their racist anti-Semitic causes. The
Munich Post battled against Hitler for 12 years but in the end the journalists
were either incarcerated or killed.
11) Hitler Fought in
World War I
Hitler was living in Munich during the onset of the First World War, so he
volunteered to fight with the Bavarian Army even though he was an Austrian
citizen. He was subsequently assigned to the Bavarian Reserve Infantry Regiment
and was sent to the Western Front, which was in both France and Belgium. Hitler
served as a dispatch runner and spent a large amount of his time there behind
the front lines. There was notable battles that he was present for, such as:
the Battle at Passchendaele and the Battle of the Somme, were he was wounded in
the latter. He was hit either in the thigh or groin area by an exploding shell
at Somme, it took him two months to recuperate fully. Months after his return to
his regiment, he was blinded temporarily by a mustard gas attack and it was
while he was hospitalized due to this injury that he learned of Germany's
defeat.
Hitler's participation in the war served his passionate German patriotism and
Germany's defeat gave rise to feelings of strong bitterness within him. During
this time, in his own words, his political anti-Semitic and warlike ideologies
began to take form.
10) Hitler was a
Powerfully Adept Public Speaker
During the first stages of his political career, Hitler gave many speeches at
beer halls and he was so skilled at public speaking that he developed regular
audiences. His speeches were effective at garnering favor because he spoke about
topics that resonated with the listeners, he often invoked the concept of
scapegoats into his speeches that gave the listeners someone to blame for their
problems. His passion and ability to capture the audience was well noted by
several different historians, like the historically renowned psychiatrist Carl
Jung. Carl Jung commented to journalist H.R. Knickerbocker on Hitler's ability
to enthral and mesmerize listeners during his speeches, which was stated in
Knickerbocker's publication "Is Tomorrow Hitler's? 200 Questions on the Battle
of Mankind."
Hitler's personal magnetism and his ability to read the crowd gave him a
powerful advantage when speaking in public because he was often able to invoke
national pride within people at a level that bordered on frenzy. His oratorical
prowess served him well in the early days of his political career, drumming up
patriotism and adroitly directing any feelings of negative sentiment toward his
own chosen scapegoats, the Jewish people.
9) Hitler
Participated in a Failed Revolution
Unhappy with the current political situation and power structure in Munich,
Hitler and a number of his associates planned to stage a coup through which they
could wrest control of the city. Beer halls at that time were popular places for
people to congregate at night, drink beer and engage in any manner of
conversation. Hitler's adversary, Gustav von Kahr, was making a speech one night
to approximately 3000 people at a beer hall in Munich. It was at this beer hall
that Hitler and a large number of the Sturmabteilung, also known as the SA or
Brownshirts, marched with the grand intent of seizing power.
With the might of 600 SA behind him, Hitler entered the beer hall and
declared that nobody present could leave. He then announced the dissolution of
the Bavarian government and the formation of a new one. Due to a number of
tactical errors, unpredictable reactions and indecisions, the coup ultimately
failed. The end result was that Hitler was both injured, arrested and a number
of other people were tragically killed during that night of chaos; this failed
revolution became known as the "Beer Hall Putsch".
8) Hitler Spent Only
a Year in Prison
Hitler was arrested on November 11, 1923 because the treason trial against him
following the events of the Beer Hall Putsch received national attention. It
subsequently became an amplifier for Hitler's propaganda, he accepted all
responsibility for his transgressions and claimed that the real criminals were
those that had signed the Versailles Peace Treaty at the end of the First World
War. After the trial, he was sentenced to five years imprisonment at the
Landsberg Prison but he received preferential treatment from the prison staff.
Indulgences granted to him during this time included mail deliveries, frequent
visitations from other members of his political party and wealthy benefactors.
Ultimately, a pardon was issued by the Bavarian Supreme Court and Hitler was
released from prison on December 20, 1924 after just spending a little over a
year imprisoned.
7) Hitler Wrote a
Book Describing His Struggle
Hitler constructed the first drafts of his manifesto, "Mein Kampf (My Stuggle)"
during his time in Landsberg and dictated the first volume of the
autobiographical book to his fellow Nazi, Rudolf Hess. The original title of the
book was somewhat long winded, "Four and a Half Years of Struggle Against Lies,
Stupidity and Cowardice, and it is believed that Hitler's publisher advocated
the shorter title of "Mein Kampf."
The book itself was released in two largely anti-Semitic in nature volumes
that frequently described "the Jewish Peril", suggesting there was a huge
worldwide Jewish conspiracy to gain global control. The narrative of the book
describes the reasons and process behind the creation of his ideals as well as
how they became increasingly anti-Semitic. In a turn that thoroughly confounded
many historians, Hitler described his first encounters with a Jew in an
astoundingly tolerant tone. In fact, in "Mein Kampf" he spoke of dismissing all
anti-Semitic press and politics entirely when first being exposed. Subsequently,
the exact point in time when Hitler began to embrace radical anti-Semitism still
remains something of a mystery.
"Mein Kampf" was originally meant to be reading material for those that
subscribed to Nationalist Socialism but the book grew in popularity beyond
expectations. After Hitler rose to power, it experienced an explosion of
popularity. Copies of the book were given to every soldier positioned to fight
at the front lines and to every newly married couple while Hitler held power.
6) Hitler Pursued
Recognition from the Vatican
Hitler was by all accounts an intelligent man and recognized the potential value
of official Vatican recognition of his authority, it would be useful both at
home as well as abroad. He counted on the fact that the Roman Catholic Church
would be willing to give him that recognition in order to safeguard the status
of the church in Germany and subsequent occupied countries. In July of 1933 a
covenant between the German Reich and the Holy See was officially signed, sealed
as well as recognized by both Germany along with Church officials. The covenant
assured the protection and legal status of the Roman Catholic Church along with
all affiliate organizations in Germany but only if they remained dedicated
solely to religious activities.
This covenant was not a boon for Germany's Jewish population, Hitler
considered the covenant to be a useful tool for the Reich against the Jews.
However, the covenant could not protect Catholics against Hitler's duplicitous
nature and despite the official recognition of Hitler's authority by the
Vatican, the Nazis continued with anti-Catholic activities. Nuns along with
priests were arrested, parochial schools were routinely harassed and monasteries
as well as convents were closed.
5) Hitler Had a Less
than Pleasant Relationship with His Niece
17 year old Angela Marie "Geli" Raubal was a half niece to Adolf Hitler and she
became Hitler's housekeeper in 1925 after she moved in with her mother when her
father died. When she decided to study medicine, Geli moved into Hitler's
apartment in Munich to be closer to the school.
Hitler became possessive of Raubal during the accumulation of his power and
very domineering. When it came to light that Raubal was having an affair with
his driver, he forced her to end the relationship and terminated the man’s
employment. Raubal from that point on was not permitted to do anything,
such as: associate with friends on her own, venture out to the movies, go
shopping, make any sort of outing without Hitler or someone he appointed to
accompany her at all times.
Raubal had become a prisoner at the age of 23 but harbored plans to escape to
Vienna. Her longing to do so was the cause of an argument between herself and
Hitler. He had to leave for a meeting in Nuremberg but returned to Munich
quickly thereafter. It was then that Raubal was found dead from a gunshot wound
to the head, she had shot herself with Hitler's own gun. Rumors began
immediately concerning sexual and physical abuse, there was even the idea that
she may have been murdered. Police ruled the death as a suicide but Raubal's
death reportedly devastated Hitler, who succumbed to an intense depression and
later stated that Raubal had been the only woman he had ever loved.
4) Hitler Nearly
Lost His Life to an Assassination Attempt
Hitler's unscrupulous behavior and incompetency during the Second World War led
to certain important military officials deciding that he was an internal threat
that needed to be neutralized. In an attempt to kill Hitler, Colonel Claus
von Stauffenberg detonated a bomb while in close proximity to him on July
20, 1944. The blast failed to kill Adolf but burned him and caused damage to his
right arm as well as his eardrums. As expected, the failed assassination attempt
led to swift and vicious retaliation.
All those found to have participated in the coup attempt where arrested and
executed in a number of different horrible ways that were filmed for Hitler. The
repercussions of this failed coup were vast and brutal with nearly 7,000
individuals arrested by the Gestapo, nearly 200 of those were executed for
treason.
3) Hitler's Mistress
Attempted Suicide
Eva Braun, Hitler's long time mistress and eventual wife, had a relationship
with the Nazi leader that was by all accounts rocky at times. As recounted in
"Inside the Third Reich," Hitler wished to present a public image of himself as
a hero both chaste and pure. For that reason he could not marry and they could
never appear together in public as a couple because it would diminish that
heroic appeal . During the early stages of her relationship with Adolf Hitler,
Braun attempted to commit suicide twice and it is speculated among historians
that her reasons for doing so were to secure his attention. For her first
attempt, she shot herself in the chest with the pistol that belonged to her
father and her second attempt was by an intended overdose of sleeping pills
because Hitler failed to make time to be with her.
2) Hitler Married
Braun the Day Before They Committed Suicide
With Germany on the verge of defeat and the Allied powers closing in, Hitler
chose to do what he wouldn't for years for fear on how it would affect his
image. He married Eva Braun in a small civil ceremony within his bunker as the
Red Army marched steadily closer to their location. The afternoon after, Hitler
and his new wife bid goodbye to the members of Hitler's inner circle and the
staff. Gunshots were reported to have been heard not long after, the corpses of
Hitler and Braun were found on a sofa within a study as described in "With
Hitler to the End: The Memoir of Hitler's Valet". Hitler had shot himself in the
temple with his gun and Braun had bitten into a cyanide capsule, their bodies
were taken out of the bunker to a garden nearby where they were burned then
later on found by the Russians.
1) Hitler's Legacy
Still Exists
It's an extremely unfortunate fact that Hitler's legacy still exists today and
not just in echoes. The profound reverberations of his actions, his orders and
his racist ideals can still be felt as shocking tremors even in this current
time. Hitler stands as one of the most obvious and infamous historical
representatives of immorality. He's also become the embodiment of rampant
racism, ruination and atrocities. Many historians agree that Adolf Hitler is one
of the most accurate personifications of true evil because of the beyond belief
war crimes that were committed under his lead.
Final Words
It is paramount that all current as well as future generations are aware of and
acknowledge the terrible wrongs that were committed for the duration of World
War Two. It will always be important to recognize Hitler's role in the war and
in the Holocaust, despite Adolf Hitler being one of the most reviled as well as
hated of all historical figures. By knowing how Hitler thought and what drove
him, steps can be taken to ensure that another of his caliber is never again
permitted to rise to power.
References:
15)
the biographical notes compiled in the 2009 publication, "The Holocaust
Chronicle."
11)
information stated in "Hitler: 1889-1936."
8)
historical account in "Press and Politics in the Weimar Republic"
7)
the historical accounts in "Initiating the Final Solution: The Fateful
Months of September-October, 1941,"
",
Adolf moved to Vienna in 1905. While living there he adopted a Bohemian style of
living and was supported almost entirely by his mother along with orphan's
benefits. He attempted to pursue further education in the area of study that
appealed to him most, which was that of art. When painting landscapes and
buildings he had a traditionalist style. His ambitions to further his artistic
skill resulted in his applying to Vienna's Academy of Art. He was rejected twice
by the academy, once in 1907 and then again in 1908 due to his "unfitness for
painting". Despite this failure, Hitler chose to remain in Vienna and
supplemented his income. Most of his funds were given to him by his family and
sometimes he sold his paintings to art dealers, were a majority were Jewish.
,"
Gerlich became a political journalist and the editor of a highly conservative
Munich newspaper. In 1923 Gerlich received a visit from a man several years
younger than himself, who was highly controversial and the leader of the right
wing National Socialist German Worker's Party. Adolf Hitler assumed that because
Gerlich shared similar interests that they might become allies.
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