A Study of Hitler From the writings of Heinz Guderian (from his book, “Panzer Leader”) Spinrad/World History

Hitler’s Origins Humble Limited schooling Course in speech and manner Did not feel awkward among those of higher cultural background Disliked aristocrats and officers

Intelligence Unusually clever Remarkable memory, particularly for historical data, technical figures and economic statistics Read to fill in the gaps in his education Amazed people by quoting what they said weeks earlier

Abilities Talented for casting his ideas into easily assimilated form, which he would hammer into listeners minds by endless repetition Oratorical talents of unusually high order—worked on both the masses and educated people Understood brilliantly how to adjust his manner of speech according to the mentality of the audience

Oratory (2) His style varied according to whether he was addressing industrialists or soldiers, devoted Party members or skeptics He believed in the power of the spoken word

His most outstanding quality was will power He compelled men to follow him Worked by means of suggestion and was almost hypnotic When speaking in a small group he would observe his listeners one by one and would see what effect his words were having

Other reasons for Germans’ love of Hitler Versailles peace treaty Heavy reparations Loss of territory Lack of freedom Lack of military strength Allies failed to observe Wilson’s 14 Points and Germans lost their trust in the good faith of the Allies

Hitler promised to free the Germans from the Versailles treaty The democratic Weimar Republic was unsuccessful Hitler also promised to abolish unemployment and party strife 1932-1933 Germany was in desperate conditions—unemployed and hungry, increased crime. Nazis and Communists (extremist parties) had mass appeal. The Nazi party was too strong to be ignored.

President Hindenburg After a long struggle with his conscience, Hindenburg finally appoints Hitler as Chancellor

Dictatorship Once in power Hitler soon eliminated the opposition The opposition was weak and divided and collapsed as soon as it was strongly attacked Hitler was able to pass laws which destroyed safeguards against dictatorship