Hitler (Prisoner)

[Kristopher]

I read in the text book that Hitler was once in prision and then later became the leader of Germany. I didnt understand why the people of Germany would even consider letting him lead their country.

[justinetoews]

The people of Germany were so desperate for a leader like Hitler who promised "to tear up the hated Treaty of Versailles and restore Germany to greatness", that I don't think they really cared much about his past, because if they did I don't think they would have been very impressed by his book Mein Kampf, which was said to be "the ravings of a lunatic".

[Mr. Delainey]

Justine is correct.

Also, you need to realize that Germany of the 1920s and 30s was nothing like Canada in the 21st Century (which you are familiar with). Thus, you need to know that if you want to understand how this "cirminal" (Hitler) could be ascend to such power in Germany you need to appreciate German political culture in the 1920s.

I.e. Hitler was tried and found guilty of treason against the state. He helped lead the failed Munich Beerhall Putsch. The average German had an appreciation for law and order and authority. So Hitler's attempts to wresting power from the German Government was absolutely held to be illegal. However, a good proportion of Germans appreciated why Hitler acted in this way, e.g. As Justine intimated he wanted to tear up the "hated Treaty of Versailles", deal with Germany's enemies both inside and outside the country, and restore the Fatherland to its pre-World War I glory. In fact, Hitler was allowed to speak for several hours at his trial and he used it as a "soap box" to share his views with the German people. When he concluded his ranting people in the courtroom actually stood and applauded.

This was a strange time in Germany, in that, their way of life had been totally changed by World War I. Before the war Germany was an aristocratic country, its military held a very important position within the nation, order was based upon the monarchy and tradition, etc. Following the war Germany suddenly found itself "democratic"; but the democratic government was viewed with suspicion and as a puppet of France and England. Hitler promised to re-invent the past Germany, destroy "weakling" democracy, and replace it with strong autocratic rule (which the majority of Germans in the 20s and 30s grew up with). The transition from autocracy/monarchy to democracy was discombobulating (confusing) for many Germans.