If Adolf Hitler had been killed during the 1924 Munich putsch, how different would the world be now ?

Question

I read recently that the man standing next to him was shot dead by a soldier at a roadblock 100 yards away...that bullet could so easily have killed the man who would become history's most hated figure.

Answer 1

Ah...its all supposition really isn't it? The Nazi's or other far right group would probably have held some power in German government, but without Hitler's charisma, they may not have come to dominate Germany and half of Europe. Perhaps another right wing leader would have risen, but I think Hitler is fairly crucial to cause of the Second World War.
So, no war, probably no organised Jewish genocide-though anti-semitism and nationalism would probably have continued to fester in Germany, and who can say where this could have lead?
I agree with the person who says that rocket/missile development would have been a lot slower-Nazi technology played a big part in the U.S., and to a lesser extent, Russian space programs.
The middle East would be a different picture now as well, although its almost impossible to say how. Remember that the the British empire still controlled a lot of this area before WW2, including the area that is now Iraq.
Communist Russia would have developed a lot differently without having to fight Nazi Germany as historically happened. Again, impossible to say how.
Remember that Japanese militarism and expansionism probably would have happened anyway.
So I think there would have been some kind of super power conflict eventually, possibly something even worse than WW2. Perhaps a prolonged Nuclear exchange? Ah, maybe I am being pessimistic. Hitler dead=good!

Answer 2

If you think about all the consequences just the WW2 had on Britain, all the lives lost, all the different organisations like the Waffs (sp?) and home guard - these just wouldn't have existed. There would have been no evacuation of children - no separation of families, but no friends and memories made in the countryside.
But then, think about the whole world, think about the holocaust for example - all the people and their decendants that would be alive today.
All the counties in the world would be shaped differently, and there may be more wars now if WW2 hadn't happened - I mean - a LOT of countries learnt from the mistakes made in that war. Then, you have to think about politics, I mean, we are now aware that not all politicians are trustworthy and are more guarded against being deceived.
In any case, had Hitler been killed that day, it's still VERY likely that the Nazis would have taken power, it's just debatable about how much power they would have had - and that would depend on who replaced the top man. The question of Hitler's replacement is one that I don't think can be answered...
So - if the Nazi's hadn't taken over - then, yes, the world would be a very different place. and don't immediately presume that everything would be for the better, mistakes of that kind may still be happening if we hadn't made them back then.
However, - if Hitler had been killed then the difference to the world may not have been so great as you might first think.
Hope this helps...

Answer 3

what if in history, always a good question, what about the several attempted assinations? anyway, Germany could have easily Had another step into Hitlers place. Hitler was fighting the communist movement at the time and the country was divided between national socialist and reds, also Hitlers hatred of the Jewish people and other so called "socially unacceptable persons" was another common perception among the Germans at the time. possibly Goebbels or Rohm would have emerged as the leaders tho Rohm was a bit too self absorbed, unfocused and decadent to be effective and Goebbels was at the very least a second string player, charismatic for sure but he just did tno have what it took, maybe someone completely different, also maybe the Communists would have emerged victorious and without Hitler to oppose them maybe the outcome would have been different, maybe they could have won Europe

Answer 4

Good question.

Issue was that at the time Germany was suffering sever reperations from WW1, their parliment dissolved and the way the war ended there was a general feeling that they had not been defeated. Also there was a fear of the rise of Communism.

In short - There is evidence to suggest that their would have been a conflict of some sort anyway. So things might just be exactly the same now !!!

Answer 5

Wow! It would be totally different. No Cold War. No Sate of Isreal, therfore no trouble in the Middle East (as we know it). Slower development of Jet Engine and Rocket Technologies. We might just now be getting to the Moon instead of 35 + years ago. The list goes on, and on...
If only that soldiers aim was better!

Answer 6

the world would be different the war did not only kill hundreds of thousands of jews in a disgusting and unforgivable evil manner it took the lives of many soldiers, it caused a big depression, it killed civilians, it tore down houses, it changed the lives of everyone who lived through that war and it was a very long war.

i cant imagine how life would now be.

Answer 7

Could not have happened. The putsch was in 1923!

Answer 8

Well, for starters, there'd have been around 6 million more people who'd have continued living out their lives. They'd have contributed towards society whatever skills, talents and smarts they possessed. They'd have had children, and their children would have had children, and so on. Imagine the loss of humanity and human potential because of one man's paranoia and obsession. It's staggering...

Answer 9

Why do you think this is so important. After all, this world has given birth to hundreds of Adolph Hitlers, and even if he would have been killed, the vacum would have been filled up by another Hitler. It is the time, the situation, that matters ...

Answer 10

Well said, Alberto!