Hitler- An opportunist

 

Adolf Hitler, How did he harmonize one of the largest genocide in human history? How did he rise to power in a democratic country? The story of post world war 1 made Germany realize that the war was unwinnable. As the war is unwinnable, Germany thought allying makes them winnable. So, Germany signed a truce ending the fight. As the government collapsed, the entire nation started encountering civil unrest and worker strikes. Soon diplomats started fearing an uprising of the communist revolutionary party. So, politicians started suppressing the majority and established the parliamentary Weimar republic. The first task of the parliament to implement the peace treaty imposed by its allies. In addition to a peace treaty, Germany also signed to dismantle its army. And Germany had to take full responsibility for the war and pay for the destruction. Many nationalists and war veterans see this as a humiliation. These nationalists and veterans wrongly believed that they could have won the war if the army hadn't been betrayed by politicians. For young Hitler, it created a rage in him, and his dogmatism led him to blame Jews. By this time, many Jews started their life in Germany. But many Germans continued to see Jews as outsiders. 

Fast forward, Hitler joined a small nationalist political party. Hitler's manipulative oratory skills made his path cruise to its leadership. Because of Hitler's antisemitism and populist resentment, the Nazis denounced communism and socialism. In the beginning, the Nazi party was not popular. After the party's defeat at overthrowing the government, the party was banned. Hitler was jailed for treason. Soon after his release from prison, he immediately started rebuilding the movement. 

In 1929, the great depression happened, American banks demanded Germany to repay its loan. Already the German economy was at the edge of collapse, fell overnight. Hitler took advantage of the demanding situation and promised to restore Germany's honour. The main democratic party was unable to handle the crisis. While the left-wing was too fragile to its internal conflicts. So, the frustrated public flocked to the Nazis, increasing the parliamentary votes by 15% in just two years.

In 1932, Hitler ran for president. Facing his defeat to decorated war hero General Von Hindenburg. Hitler demonstrated his popularity among the public by securing 36% of the votes. The following year, advisors and business powers saw Hitler's popularity and convinced Hindenburg to appoint Hitler as Chancellor. Though the chancellor was only the acting head of parliament, Hitler steadily gained his powers. While Hitler's supporters formed paramilitary groups and fought against the protesters in the streets.

In 1933, A labour was convicted of setting fire to the parliament building. Hitler convinced the parliament to grant him supreme power in the time of emergency. In no time, the freedom of the press was abolished and other parties were disbanded. Many of Hitler's opposers were executed. When President Hindenburg died in 1934, many of Hitler's early measures made election non-requirement stuff. Hitler's speeches made people drive the support for the Nazi party. Meanwhile, business powers' and intellectuals accepted the publics' opinion and endorsed Hitler. 

Years later, Hitler still in power remains a warning of how democracy can be broken by a leader who feeds anger and exploits people's fear.