2007-05-30 04:50:36 · 14 answers · asked by Sniper of Goth 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
In the 1930's, the world was in a depression due to high tarriffs causing a dramatic drop in world trade. Germany, because of the treaty of versailles, was forced to accept full blame and pay reparations for WWI. This put their country even more behind the 8-ball. People were disillusioned and they wanted hope. They wanted it so bad they were willing to believe anything. Add to that the Hitler was a gifted orator and extremely charismatic, Germany did not see any combat during WWI (the entire western front was fought in France). Throw into the mix that WWI was called "The war to end all wars", people at the time were trying to avoid another war at all costs, which led to the policy of appeasement.
Appeasement fed right into Hitler's philosphy, where territory gained is put to work to further build up the war machine so even more territory can be gained, which is then used to build the war machine even more... until the entire world is conquered.
Just to give you an idea, a buddy in my public speaking class read a speech on the greatness of America. It was very moving and patriotic, about how America is great and a leader in the world etc etc. At the end of the speech, the class gave him a standing ovation. Then he said this, "This speech was given by Adolf Hitler in 1938, I simply replaced the word 'Germany' with 'America'." And he sat down while the rest of the class was stunned silent.
2007-05-30 04:58:27 · answer #1 · answered by 006 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Have you ever seen one of those Nazi rallies with Hitler's foaming-at-the-mouth speeches? Notice the shots of the crowd. Makes you feel like you are at a Beatle's concert - ya, screaming teenage girls and the whole bit. Kinda scary. Fact is, the German people were just plain stupid back then, and they didn't think his ideas were atrocious. His ideas also degenerated during his reign. As someone else pointed out, there is absolutely nothing to stop that from happening in the US. Hitler was elected in an open election.
2007-05-30 11:58:58 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
People tend to follow a strong leader.
As a leader, Hitler was very charismatic. He could command the attention of an audience with no problem. Even though his views were illustrative of his madness, it can't be disputed that the man was a genius at what he did.
To clear that up, I do not under any circumstances like or even condone the acts of Hitler or the Nazi Party.
Hitler simply had the ability to demand attention, and rose inevitably to power, from which he fell.
2007-05-30 11:55:50 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
because nobody knew then how atrocious his ideas were. The German people were buying into the "let's make Germany a superpower" talk that Hitler was giving to them, because WWI left Germany in ruins. The German people really didn't have an idea of what he was really doing behind the scenes.
2007-05-30 11:53:37 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hitler took power by focusing on the youth.
His message of a strong economically stable Germany played very will with the people because they were still suffering after their loss in WW1.
Hitler took away their shame and transferred it into national pride, that move enabled him to start his marketing campaign against the Jews. Germans were told that many of their finatial problems were caused by the jews and after continuous messaging began to believe it.
It is always easier to blame others for your plight in life, instead of taking responsibility and creating progress on your own.
The middle east is in a similar bind right now. Leaders blame the west and the jews for their plight, meanwhile they are sitting on and selling the majority of the worlds oil. The leaders are extremely wealthy but use the jews and the west as a scape goat, telling the people that they are in dire straits because of these enemies. It is very similar to pre WW2 Germany.
2007-05-30 11:58:51 · answer #5 · answered by ɹɐǝɟsuɐs Blessed Cheese Maker 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He had a huge charisma. He gave the Germans love and hate, love for themselves and hate for the jews. The love was 'based' on facts, then inflated w/ stories. The hate was also 'based' in facts, the jews did screw over Germany at the end of WW1, then super inflated w/ stories.
2007-05-30 11:57:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is because very few thought that his ideas were atrocious,
After the 1st World War, Germany was bankrupt, defeated, and in debt up to it's eyeballs.
Hitler gave the people something to focus their anger on and someone to balme (unfortunetly the Jews)
And the people were so anxious for anyone to lead them out of the predictament they were in, they listened to anyone who they thought could lead them back or out of it.
2007-05-30 11:55:31 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Hitler basically appealed to the conservatives by promising them financial freedom and he appealed to the Christians by attacking Jews and Atheists. Basically he appealed to peoples fears of Communism, Atheism and Jews.
2007-05-30 11:56:04 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Absolute power corrupts absolutely. Not just Hitler but his followers as well.
2007-05-30 11:54:52 · answer #9 · answered by Julian 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
germany was in a major depression...then hitler came along bringin hope in the eyes of the people...people believed that he would get them out of it...so people voted for him
2007-05-30 11:53:48 · answer #10 · answered by ryan_duz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋