Hitler's Role In The Nazi State

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The Nazi state idolized Hitler, centralising all powers in his hands. Propaganda was used to propagate the regime, however; much of it was based on Hitler himself, being quite effective in creating what historians called the ‘Hitler Myth’. With Hitler being a controversial character, most historians have come to believe that the Fuhrer of Nazi Germany was not a strong dictator at all but a weak one. Although this is not the case for all historians, with some believing Hitler was at the centre of the regime. Without Hitler’s massive personal popularity, the high level of ‘plebiscitary acclamation which the regime could repeatedly call upon’ (Kershaw), would have been unattainable. To ensure Hitler had enough popularity he enlisted the help of Joseph Goebbels, to promote the Fuhrer as the heroic leader of the German people. Using mass medium Goebbels projected Hitler as the leader chosen by fate to save the German people, he connected Hitler with the old key figures of Germany such as; Frederick the Great and Bismarck. With the defeat of World War I still looming and the instability and division that followed, the situation became perfect for a new strong leader to come and save the German people. Hitler became favoured by the German people, especially the strong nationalistic middle-class, who believed Hitler would finally unite the nation with his strong leadership. The image manufactured for the German people of a strong leader was far from reality. With his complex personality, Hitler has been a subject of much research by historians. The image that was to emerge from such research was not that of a strong dictator, but of a moody and lonely man who rarely showed his feelings and had a great difficulty of relating to people on an emotional level. He was a man who showed great brutality and ruthlessness but was also able to show personal charm. Nothing about his
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