Monthly Archives: September 2010

Italian and German National Socialist movements had revolutionized political thought in Europe, and in turn, catalyzed fascist movements throughout the continent during the 1920’s. Many characteristics of Italy’s and Germany’s movements were imitated as more Western European countries adopted basic fascist characteristics. Moreover, not only instilling a new doctrine within their respective societies and countries , but also conjure other unique characteristics which have all become external elements usually pertaining to that country and only that country.

The evolution of fascism within Europe, outside of German and Italian movements of that era, witnessed the growth of fascism as many countries began to adopt the new doctrine. Using the characteristics of Germany and Italy, eastern and western European nations attempted to build themselves what German and Italian movements were so successful in accomplishing. The emergence of these movements, at this time, were very similar in nature and can be compared relative to the original doctrine.

The British Union of Fascists headed the revolutionary movement in Britain which was lead by Sir Oswald Mosely. British fascists in their own right began with a non-anti-Semitic view, but by the mid 1930’s they “nonetheless moved to anti-semitism”1 In an authoritarian manner, he had resembled the Fuehrer type element of the fascists doctrine, but unfortunately or fortunately, BUF as a fascist entity was not able to keep its strength and prosper.

The lack of appeal could correlate directly with the outcome of the First World War. During that time, Germany had suffered great blows , both socially and economically. The administered treaty, “Versailles” had crippling affects. This, followed by the great depression could only lead to the hesitation of entering a productive capitalist environment. With communism on the rise and capitalism right next door, there seemed to be no whereto turn. However, on the other hand, America and other former allies had enjoyed success financially and had no desire to attempt to change anything. Authoritarian rule did not have a place in most countries, therefore, we see the failure of an ideology.

As fascism rose out of Italy, some countries viewed this as a new political ideology with potential, furthermore there were ill attempts at harnessing the ideology and implementing it. Unfortunately, many were successful. It would have been socially acceptable to take someone’s freedom away. In essence, society did not allow such an ideology/belief system to be practiced , however, due to extreme circumstances, sometimes the worst choices are the only choices.

Adolf Hitler and his singular impact as a human being on the course of human history will long be a factor for students, academics, theologians, and Holocaust scholars. Was Adolf Hitler a misguided zealot, a dangerous schizophrenic, a hysteric mani-depressive, or worse? What explanation can history offer to explain not only the existence of Adolf Hitler, but the social reaction and social interaction his life will be remembered for?

Adolf Hitler summons to the casual scholar a granite bunker inside a failing city, a coast of rubble and freezing forests, the immense human costs of death to bring events to an end, the toll on the collective psyche of the human race as a response. The name of Hitler’s bunker is known to every schoolchild, the militant aggressiveness of the brownshirts is remembered, and the totalitarian theat of the S.S. form much of the current philosophy of police science today.

Many allege that Adolf Hitler was not a criminal, but a true German, asserting imperialistic rights to govern the world through military aggression. Others claim his failed career as an artist shaped a fantasy of revenge towards his father, and Germany later represented his father . How could one man shape a country, and how could one man lead a country is such a disastrous direction to cause world war and millions of deaths?

Adolf Hitler and his Reich instituted the kind of cultural change and permanent stamp upon world history that it may never be the same. That the influence, and what an influence, of a man like Adolf Hitler might rise to command world powers would have been unthinkable in any other age. The symbols of the Swastika, the regime of National Socialism, the transparency of Hitler’s ambitions and the employment of mob rule, scare tactics and a guerilla state will always be part of the Germany national history going forward.

The change in Germany herself would be forever marked. Bombed cities, architectural marvels, philosophic singularities, military victories, and the contrast between grandiose visions of superiority and negative instances of exaggerated misanthropy would forever mark Hitler’s reign in Germany and the story of his rise to power. Under Hitler’s direct sponsorship, Germany would rise to become a world power inches away from world domination.

The military aggressions of the World War that Hitler brought about have ramifications today. The invasion of Denmark, the demi-conquest of France, the attempted conquering of Britain from the air and the Western World’s concerted military response are forever living in today’s global military alliances. United States of America and United Kingdom are staunch allies, war reparations and historical redress have humbled postwar Germany for the second cycle in one century.

Not since Napoleon and Alexander the Great had one man dared to define world events in accordance with his wishes. The technological breakthroughs, the technical prowess and engineering efficiency of the Germans aided their cause. Such is the power of the Hitler iconography that movies and books have spouted wild theories about his regeneration, his Final Solution, His Fifth Column, or some kind of revisitation of the Hitler regime from beyond the grave.

If someone were to come into the schoolyard and ask who the biggest bully was, and then proceed to , Hitler was groomed from then on as the only son.tell you how they would grow up to rule the world, cause a world war, cause tens of millions of deaths and put a lasting national heritage to shame, would you believe it? Could you believe it?

That’s what would have happened if you were a kindergarten teacher in the year of 1895 or so. But Hitler’s older brother was soon to die, and as reality if his will wasn’t followed. make him the primary focus of both parents. Were as a more indolent child might have been more rigorously disciplined, or even excused from civic administration for an artistic career. Yes, Hitler did grow up to have a civic administration position.

Hitler appointed himself the civic administrator of all Germany. He did this by persuading those around him that they had to act on the basis of fears he instilled in them, and they need to act because he seemed to have some untold yet threatening power to unleash those fears as some kind of manifested reality. At some point Hitler might have paused on the brink, he might have looked over his shoulder. Why was humanity willing to pay such a price to assuage one man’s ego and follow his orders?

Hitler was smart enough to see that people wanted to do the other things that those which were done lawfully and legally, and he was able to craft a government and a policy around a slate of practices he had laced together from a handful of national Socialist meetings. The Domino effect grew larger and larger, until it grew into a social paradox too tempting for Hitler to ignore.

Hitler had no grand family ties, like the Caesars. He did not have a grand noble marriage to flaunt and exploit. The greatest criminal humanity has known in the twentieth century was a half-forgotten bohemian juvenile whose father too young for him to have had his oubliette and move on. In fact, by the end of the World War II, Hitler’s only close “friends” were similarly hollow public figures, paper doll men whose private life and public work cantilevered a conscience fraught with birfurcated logic.

How could the Germans be proud of any regime of government built on the backs of killing millions of innocent people? If Hitler had won the day in Europe and absorbed England, what would have been his ultimate end? America simply would have followed through on an Imperialist course, and continued trading and doing business with German corporations and manufacturers as they had during the war.

Adolf Hitler and his scourge of Jewish persecution has been the topic of many dramas and books. Films and television series have been framed around Hitler’s rise to power, authoritarian regime, and the fall of the Third Reich. Many actors have portrayed Hitler with a distinctive interpretation regarding his psyche, motivation, and Freudian overtones of personality. The challenge of defining Hitler is a formidable acting endeavor, demanding a studious approach to history. The role of Hitler in any drama is one that many esteemed actors have leapt at the chance to play.