How do historians explain the rise of Hitler? L/O – To evaluate the historiographical schools of thought and historians interpretations on the rise of Hitler

Historians and Hitler Some historians stress the German nature of the Third Reich, and explain it largely as a product of Germany’s history. Others see Nazism as one manifestation of a broad authoritarian trend in Europe in the 1920s and 1930s, which saw a series of dictatorships established. Yet others stress the ‘bad luck’ of Hitler gaining power: that it was fortuitous rather than the product of deeper forces and Hitler himself was an ‘evil genius’.

German history or general trend? German History Prussian militarism Germany created by force in 1871 Aggressive Second Reich under Kaiser Wilhelm II Lack of a democratic tradition ‘German mind’ favoured strong leadership Advanced economy but backward political structure Desire for strong leadership and national greatness General European Interwar Problems Dislocation of First World War Fear of communism Nationalist resentments Weaknesses of parliamentary government Desire for strong leadership Impact of Depression 1929 Crisis of modernisation Contingency/Chance/Evil Genius Hitler’s charismatic leadership Manipulation of masses through propaganda Outmanoeuvring of the elite in Von Papen’s Intrigue Osthilfe (Eastern Aid) Scandal ‘THE THIRD REICH’

Schools of thought on Hitler Determinist – Hitler’s rise to power was inevitable in many ways. He was a product of Germany’s authoritarian history which favoured a strong state led by a powerful individual. (AJP Taylor, William Shirer, Hans-Ulrich Wehler) Structuralist/Functionalist – Hitler was not inevitable. He was propelled to power by historical ‘crisis’ conditions in which Germans were looking for a saviour. (Ian Kershaw, E Anderson) Intentionalist/Chance – Hitler knowingly manipulated the masses and the elite to establish a dictatorship. He was an ‘evil genius’ who took advantage of good luck. (Hitler Mein Kampf, Alan Bullock Hitler: A Study in Tyranny) What evidence would each school of thought use to substantiate their interpretations? How could each view be criticised or supported?

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 1 – Look at the 7 ‘view cards’ and match each one to the school of thought it represents: determinist, structuralist, intentionalist

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 2 – Read the following statements and match them to one of the 7 ‘view cards’: “Such a major event as Hitler's coming to power cannot be seen as a mere accident. This view looks suspiciously like an attempt to avoid the question of the Germans' responsibility for Hitler rather than being a proper historical perspective.”

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 2 – Read the following statements and match them to one of the 7 ‘view cards’: “German history must be studied in its own right, and not compared to some supposed 'normal' form of development.”

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 2 – Read the following statements and match them to one of the 7 ‘view cards’: “Nazism was a unique phenomenon, developing in a particular national context, and cannot be seen primarily in general terms.”

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 2 – Read the following statements and match them to one of the 7 ‘view cards’: “There was considerable variety in German history, with a rich cultural mix, rather than trends all developing in one particular direction.”

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 2 – Read the following statements and match them to one of the 7 ‘view cards’: “Mass support was more important than that of the elites in putting Hitler into power. Hitler reflected a deep feeling in Germany and was not just a capitalist stooge.”

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 2 – Read the following statements and match them to one of the 7 ‘view cards’: “Nazism gained support from rational calculation, not as a form of psychological fix.”

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 2 – Read the following statements and match them to one of the 7 ‘view cards’: “Nazism can not be dismissed as just the product of one man; it reflected deeper trends in history at that time.”

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 3 – Now read Sources 1-7 and organise them under the headings: determinist, structuralist, intentionalist

Schools of thought on Hitler Task 4 – Finally, read Sources and organise them under the same headings: determinist, structuralist, intentionalist