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

2. 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

4. 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

5. 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

7. 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

8. 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

10. 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

11. 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
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.

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

13. 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