The Role Of Hitler In The Formulation Of Nazi Policy Between 1923-1939

The role of Hitler in the formulation of Nazi policy between 1923-1939

Hitler was the most significant figure in the formulation and the implementation of Nazi policy. However, it is interesting that some of the most famous Nazi policies were not produced by Hitler and this has caused fierce debates between the intentionalist historians who believe that Hitler was in control and personally determined policy and its implementation opposed to structuralist historians who believe he actually was not. Rather, structuralist's such as Mosmmen state that hitler was a 'weak dictator' as Hitler's inner circle, his henchmen such as Joseph Goebbels, Henirch Himmler, and Herman Goring were responisble for the spiralling radicallisation of Nazi policies. While historians still debate on the true significance of Hitler's role in the nazi party, all agree that the nazi policies revolved around three fundamentals which became the core and the signature for the nazi monolithic and efficient regime. They are: anti-semticism, extreme nationalism, preservement of the totalitarian government when hitler became Chancellor in 1933.

The young hitler had already formulated Nazi policies,through his experiences. These formulated ideas and philosphies he wrote in Mein Kampf during his imprisonment became implemented as policy when he became supreme ruler of Germany in 1934. Hitler intentionally joined the _______party consisting of only 40 members at the time so that it could be a forum of his own ideas which he could shape. As british Historian Allan Bullock states, 'only in a party which, like himself was beginning at the bottom had he any prospect of playing a leading part and imposing his ideas.' Through his charismatic personality, sound organizing skills and his mesmizing/demogogic orating, Hitler quickly became the dominant and influential figure in the party. That same year, through his influence, the party changed its name to the NAZI party. Mein Kampf has been interpreted as the some of hitler's early political ideas, his Weltanschauuger, race differences and the Germany's future in the world. His experience in the ww1, the failed putsche, imprisonment had shaped his philosphy. When Hitler came to power in 1933 his ideas and Weltanschuuager did not differ to what he wrote in Mein Kampf in 1924, as the intenationalist Ian Kershaw states, 'however base and repellent (his ideas) were, Hitler never saw any reason to alter the content of what he written'.

Any party member could formulate policies however one needs the power and authority to implement them. The failed munich putsche of 1923 would not only mark Hitler's dramatic rise ot power but it would teach him that power would not be achieved through violence, but through legal means. Ten years later thats what he exactly did. When he first joined the _________party, he was given the responsibility of propaganda and publlicity in 1919. As revealed in Mein Kampf, he understood the importance of propaganda declaring that propaganda 'must always be addressed to the the masses'. After being realised only serving 8 months in prison, Hitler sought to rise to power and implement his ideas and visions. Historians argue just how significant Joesph Goebbel was to the Nazi party but few could argue how essential he was in Hitler's eyes. In the early 1920s, Goebbels became enchanted by Hitler's mesmerizing orating and defected to the Hitler hence dealing a great blow to the leadership challenge by Gregor Strasser. What Goebbels lacked in physically, he made up for it by his sheer brutual intellectuals which would prove to be instrumental to the rise of the Nazi party. It was he who created the fuher myth, the nazi anthem and presented hitler as the messanic figure in which Germany's future lay. He ensured 56 million germans had access to a radio and therefore so that he was able to continually air propaganda. Goebbels hard work was crucial to Hitler becoming popular amongst the german public before Hitler ultimately achieved wnat he desired. he became the chancellor in 1933. Struturalists such as Boszat claim that hitler led state through propaganda rather than organisation and leadership however one must remember Hitler was the one who placed Goebbels his high positions and who Goebbels ultimately worked to please.

From the 25 points program to Mein Kampf and the leading up to the 'final solution', Hitler's anti-semtic stance did not quiver. Though the origins of hitler's hate for Jews are still debated, it is lucid that it was rather Hitler's Henchmen that had a pivotal role in isolating and

manipulating moods against the Jews rather than hitler himself. Goebbels shared Hitler's hate. With his cunning and effective control of propaganda,he turned the Jews into the scapegoat of Germany's defeat of ww1 and denounced them as a threat to the pure race. This mood swing against the Jews allowed hitler to impose the nuremburg laws of 1935 without much opposition.If Goebbels was the one who shaped the 'soft wax' of the German people than Herman Goring and Henirch Himmler would be viewed as the one who worked to fulfil the 'will of the people.' They were both assigned by hitler to deal with the 'Jewish question' leading to the 'final solution' in 1939. Goebbels himself intiated Kristlnacht in 1938 after conferring with Hiter much to the terror of the Jews. This event has become a intense battle ground between the two opposing views of Historians. Because Goebbels first thought of Kristlnacht and ordered SA troops to use violence against the jews, structuralist's such as David