The German public saw Hitler as god-like with his vast power and glorifying the German race as being the “master race.” When he finally reversed the power of the Treaty of Versailles and rebuilt Germany’s armed forces, the German nation basically did as he told them to do. This was seen as one of his major successes. Another would be numerous military successes. He united Germany after the humiliation of World War I and extended the Germen territory into Eastern Europe. This would be his military successes.
Hitler was known for his totalitarian government, which referenced his act based on Darwism. Hitler’s theories on racism was to cleanse them of the lower class, to filter out the weak and to brutally punish those for the “good of humanity and the survival of the fittest” (see Darwin’s “Natural Selection,” (897). On the other hand, Soviet Union’s justification in its totalitarianism government derived from a scientific method by Karl Marx (see Marx’s “Communist Manifesto,” (453) in the power of classes. Soviet Union believed in two types of classes, progressive and non-progressive. In the form of totalitarianism governments Soviet Union was considered progressive and if you are not a communist you were considered a non-progressive class that would not amount to anything.
During his rule as General Secretary of the Soviet Union, Stalin was able to create a highly totalitarian regime. This was achieved by the dictator’s notorious use of terror, by controlling information and mass media and Stalin’s prominent cult of personality. However, the extent of the totalitarian rule didn’t achieve similar levels throughout the whole state. Stalin’s use of terror as a method of eliminating opposition was a key factor in the establishment of totalitarianism in the Soviet Union. In the early 1930’s Stalin felt threatened by his growing opposition and was determined to bring the party under his total control.
Nazism was a revolution, and revolutions tend to devour their own.” The words of Robert Smith Thompson (2003, 141) have just described the crisis that was facing the Weimar Republic in the years 1933-1939. Adolf Hitler had risen to power and the 14 year old democratic republic was about to be eradicated in favour of something more sinister. Totalitarianism can be described as relating to a form of government that permits no rival loyalties or parties, demanding entire subservience of the individual to the state (the Concise Oxford dictionary). A totalitarian state’s ideologies reject existing societies as corrupt, immoral and beyond reform. They demand total conformity of all the people and their ideas and information is displayed through effective use of propaganda (TV, radio, press and education.)
Communists or the KDP also saw the opportunity that Hitler saw but with the democracy on its way out there was only room for one government, and Hitler new this. The ploy had so many advantages to Hitler that it would be hard to see how Hitler could not have been involved. This one event allowed him too effectively dishevel his main adversary, the foremost blockade that stopped Hitler’s dictatorship. How he went about “blaming” the communist for the event and thus eliminating them, was also a catalyst for all the events to come. By convincing Hindenburg that there was a large communist threat the country was put into a state of emergency and, with Hindenburg’s backing, Hitler was allowed to pass decrees to govern Germany anyway he liked, with the financial backing of krupp and bosch etc, which in this case is fortunate for the question at hand.
One also needs to take into account the weaknesses of their democratic government of the Weimar Republic and its failure to deal with the problems of the day. This essay requires an explanation of the phenomenal electoral success of the Nazi Party between 1929 and 1933 with particular reference to the contribution made by their leader, Adolf Hitler. Arguably the most important reason for the Nazis rise to power was the personal qualities and leadership Adolf Hitler himself possessed. Hitler was a great and mesmerising speaker, he was a strong performer and when he spoke he aroused the emotions of his listeners and they were convinced just by his persona instead of what he was saying. This was important for Hitler’s rise to power as he gained huge population and support due to his impressive speeches.
Compare and contrast the aims, methods and success of the use of propaganda in two single party states. Essentially, both Benito Mussolini and Adolf Hitler had the same fanatic desire to make their nations “Great” and gain considerable respect worldwide which would be determined by their economic might. Both leaders used various means of propaganda to achieve their ultimate aims. To what extend they were successful, however, is a debatable issue. Hitler could not achieve the solid control over the masses which he had, if he did not have the help of the so called powerful propaganda machine.
Marisa Sweeney IB History Quinlan 15/5/2012 Group 2: Compare and contrast the methods used to consolidate power by Hitler and Mao Adolf Hitler and Mao Zedong, both prominent authoritarian leaders, consolidated their power through various different methods. Both leaders used similar methods, this included eliminating opposition, using favorable legislations, and gaining popular support through presenting their image and ideologies, however their execution differed. Both Mao and Hitler successfully eliminated those who opposed them and their parties. Mao rose to power violently, through the CCP’s victory in the Chinese Civil War while Hitler rose to power through legal means when he was appointed Chancellor of Germany. The two leaders, with their newfound power both immediately made sure to make their political parties the only accepted ones in the nation and banning any others.
They were beginning to doubt that Germany had any pride left. Historian R.Landau writes in his book (The Nazi Holocaust) that the ‘Nazi party was appealing’. This demonstrates that Hitler and the Nazis were a modern and plausible option for the public. Many of the middle class and other highly regarded sections of society were also drawn to the Nazi’s. Therefore, strengthening Landau’s view and the above argument that Hitler became leader of Germany as he was leader of the most popular parties.
Hitler tried to consolidate his power legally and probably the most important law Hitler and the Nazis changed was the passing of the enabling act in March 23rd 1933. This allowed Hitler to have absolute power and was allowed to pass laws without consulting the Reichstag. This helped Hitler consolidate his grip on power very well. Hitler achieved this by getting enough seats in the Reichstag although it was not a majority that Hitler wanted. Hitler and the Nazis wanted to enforce Gleischaltung.