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Austin Funk Professor Fischer November 30, 2010

The Roots and Nature of Nazism Germany has a history that is unique from any of its surrounding European neighbors, or most of the world for that matter. From the reign of the Holy Roman Empire, up until today, Germany has a past makes it stand apart from the world. It is a story of dislocation, unification, and at times, extreme fascism and oppression. The height of this fascism and oppression is found under the rule of the Nazi regime of Germany. The common man associates Nazism with the most catastrophic horrors of the 20th century, even of all time. Nazi Germany was responsible for the devastating Second World War, and the nightmarish genocide of the Jews, known as the Holocaust, that resulted in the murder of half of the worlds Jewish population. Truly Hitler and the Third Reich were the most appalling evil the world had ever experienced. Ian Kershaw describes Germanys past as an awesome story of national as well as individual selfdestruction, of the way a people and their representatives engineered their own catastrophe (Kershaw 2000, xviii) When looking back at this dark time of human existence, one cannot avoid wondering how it all began. How did the Nazi regime take power over the people of Germany? Or substantially more crucial to the understanding of Nazism, how did the party begin? What inspired the harsh and brutal ideology? These are honest questions that historians dig into for the search of truth in such a

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bloodcurdling regime. The factual nature and origin of the Nazi party goes deeper than Hitlers political rise in the Weimar Republic, it goes deeper than Anton Drexler creating the Nazi party. Rather it is a much more detailed story than that. The true roots of the Nazi party can be found by tracing the two background causes of Nazism, and also the two immediate causes of the Nazi party coming to power amidst a democratic form of government. The two background causes of this political phenomenon are the inspiration of past philosophers and writers, Friedrich Nietzsche and H.S. Chamberlain, also the results of WWI, leading to the Treaty of Versailles. As we will see, these men and the treaty heavily impacted the thinking of Hitler and the platform of the Nazi party. The two immediate causes for the rise of Nazism are Anton Drexler finding the Nazi party, and Hitler eventually getting appointed Chancellor to the Weimar Republic under the Nazi party. These background and immediate causes together are an accurate account of the roots of Nazism. Upon initial glance, one looks at the ideology and views of Hitler and thinks that this kind of evil had not been present in the world prior. When further research is conducted, one can see that several of the main concepts that the Nazi party was based on, were around in several years past. The extremely brutal thoughts of the Nazi regime were not original to Hitler, or even Anton Drexler. The inspiration of Hitler came from three main thinkers of years past: H.S. Chamberlain, and Friedrich Nietzsche. Though there are undoubtedly more inspirations to Hitler and the Nazi doctrine , these two men exhibit the most influence to be found. Both of these men have had a

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profound impact on the roots of Nazism. In Hitlers younger years, he read the works of these writers, and began to build his foundation of his thoughts. His inspirations from these thinkers ranged from anti-Semitism, foreign policy, to Germanys rightful place in the European world. On the issue of anti-Semitism, he gained much from Chamberlain. As Joachim Remak quotes H.S. chamberlain saying The entrance of the Jew into European history had, as Herder said, meant the entrance of an alien element-alien to that which Europe had already achieved, alien to all it was still destined to achieve. (Remak p.5) Hitler was not born with an inherent hatred towards the Jewish population in the world that the Nazis were so famously known for. After being exposed to antiSemitic literature, he began to develop this hatred as a way of life. This hatred developed in Hitlers ironic birthplace. He was not born German, but Austrian rather, and it is here that he begins to indulge in his hatred. Remak agrees with this when he states quite generally it was in Austria rather than in Germany that the roots of National Socialism grew best. (Remak 1965, p.9) The time Hitler spent in his home country contributed much to the development of his own dislike of Jews. Nietzsche, on the other hand, had a much more profound impact on the mind of Hitler on more ways that just anti-Semitism. He was so influential to the Nazi roots that any good Nazi soldier would be able to cite Nietzsches works and relate them to the Nazi goal. Robert Waite argues that Yet I think no one who lived in the Third Reich could have failed to be impressed by Nietzsches influenceHitler often visited the Nietzsche museum in Weimar and publicized his veneration for the philosopher by

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posing for photographs of himself staring in rapture at the bust of the great man . (Waite 1965, 35) Hitlers fascination with Nietzsche was almost a boy like fantasy hero. He idolized him in almost everyway. Nietzsche had something to say that was relevant to everything the Nazis were based on. Waite quotes Nietzsche directly to deepen this point by writing On the State, power and the jungle world of man: Society is not entitled to exist for its own sake but only a substructure and scaffolding, by means of which to select race of beings may elevate themselves to their higher dutiesThere is no such thing as the right to live, the right to work, or the right to be happy: in this respect man is no different from the meanest worm. And he exalted the superman as the beast of prey, the magnificent blond brute, avidly rampant for spoil and victor. (Waite 1965, 36) The correlation here between Nietzsches thoughts and the policies of the Nazi regime is profound and definite, particularly Nietzsches thoughts on the potential Aryan race that Hitler becomes obsessed with. This root of Nazism cannot be ignored as evidence to one of several beginnings of the Nazi power. It is no coincidence that the only two world wars in the history of man were so close to each other. The end of WWI was negotiated at the Peace Conference of Paris , which developed the Treaty of Versailles. At this meeting the leaders of the allied powers were present to detail what would be done with the failed enemy, Germany. After much discussion and debate, the historic Treaty of Versailles was constructed. This treaty had extreme influences on not only the political and economical state of Germany to be, but the people of Germany, and the attitude towards the allied powers. This treaty went to tremendous efforts to punish the country that had supposedly started

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the war in the first place, Germany. Germany felt that these accusations were ridiculous and had no rightful place in considering the treaty. Article 231, also known as the War Guilt Clause, enforced extremely punitive measures to Germany. The damage to Germany ended up being 269 billion gold marks, or an equivalent to $64 billion in U.S. currency during the 1910s. This amount of reparations was thought of , and justifiably so, as absurd. Whether or not Germany was directly responsible for the outbreak of war was debatable, but this debt was taken to an extreme. This is exactly what the German people had thought once the treaty was proposed to them. This was viewed as a direct insult to the people, and thought of as the nail to the coffin containing their economy. Though the dollar amount was later amended, it was still a substantial amount of debt to pay. Theodore Abel depicts this situation by writing Stormy protest meetings were held all over the country and petitions were sent to the government imploring it to reject the Treaty. We prefer to sacrifice everything and fight to the last man rather than accept as cowards a peace that is against our honor. Contemptible is the nation which does not offer its life gladly for the sake of its honor. (Abel 1965, 31) This extreme offense to the treaty was a common belief among Germans at the time , and for one in particular; Hitler. Hitler, being a German soldier in WWI, felt like the treaty was a complete disgrace and dishonor. The feelings of hatred and betrayal towards those who were responsible were center points for several political parties platform post WWI in Germany. Hitler used this as a focal point of his political ideology and campaign promises. The November

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criminals is what the leaders who were held responsible for the treaty were called. This focus on restoring the honor and place in the European system of Germany became a main focus of the Nazi party. This tie to the roots of Nazism is definite and impenetrable. Though the brewing of other several main principles of the Nazi movement had already occur, the construction and enforcement of the Treaty of Versailles had a distinct influence on not only the popularity of Nazism, but one of several core principles of the partys ideology. To Hitler and the rest of his Nazi followers, the German destiny had to be fulfilled. The rise of the Nazi party is now left to the immediate causes of the gain to power. These background causes to the Nazi party had a definite and crucial effect in the beginning of the Nazi party. Without them, it is reasonable to conclude that the Nazi party would not have developed into what it stood for in the early 20 th century. The two remaining causes of the beginnings of the Nazi party are the immediate . The development of ideology, thoughts, and inspirations play an absolutely incredible role in the partys development, however two immediate causes are required to start the party itself, give it a physical form, and give it a face. That face is Anton Drexler, well initially at least. It is a common misconception that the Nazi party was founded by Adolf Hitler . Though Hitler was obviously the most prominent role in the party, he was not the one to start it. After the end of the First World War, Hitler was still employed through the government. Though he was no longer a soldier, he was tasked with the job of traveling all around Germany to investigate various political parties and or uprisings. Once these

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parties were located, he would determine whether they were beneficial to Germany, or counterintuitive. It is here that Hitler stumbles upon the Nazi Party, at the time named however, German Workers Party lead by Anton Drexler. Anton Drexler was a main political figure in the 1920s across Germany. Though Hitler is more commonly associated with the Nazi party than Drexler , Drexler is still considered to be the father of the party. Having similar motivations as the later Hitler, Drexler founded the German Workers Party in 1919 in Munich. Prior to this initial start, he had already begun working with eventual Nazi platform issues. An example of this is laid out by William Shirer when he details On March 7, 1918, he had set up a

Committee of Independent Workmen to combat the Marxism of the free trade unions
and to agitate for a just peace for Germany. (Shirer 1960, 36) The anti-communist view is a core to the Nazi party that one year later he started. This action shows the similarities between Drexlers ideology, and that of Hitler. This being said, however, there were still several differences between Drexler and Hitler. Hitler first met Drexler at a meeting of the German Workers Party while Hitler was still working on behalf of the government. Upon entering into discourse with another man at the meeting, Hitler became enraged at someone stating the opinion that a South German nation with Austria should be created. Being an incredible orator, Hitler destroyed the mans argument. Drexler, seeing this, was completely astonished and had an instant fascination with the young man. Shirer recounts this event after the argument by writing One man- Hitler says he did not catch his name- came leaping

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after him and pressed a little booklet into his hands. (Shirer 1960, 36) This was the beginning of Hitlers integration into the German Workers Party, and eventually the Nazi Party. It was not until 1920 that the name was actually changed from German Workers Party to the Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party, or the Nazi Party. It did not take very long at all for Hitler to use his skills as an orator to travel through the various ranks of the party, and become the absolute most prominent member, even more so than Anton Drexler himself. As stated earlier, Hitler and Drexler did not see eye to eye on all issues. Once the name of the party had been changed, a particular platform had been developed with several main points. It is within here it is found that Drexler and Hitler disagree. Shirer points this out by writing A good many paragraphs of the party platform were obviously merely a demagogic appeal to the mood of the lower classes at a time when they were in bad straitsThese demands had been put in at the insistence of Drexler and Feder, who apparently really believed in the socialism of National Socialism. They were the ideas which Hitler was to find embarrassing when the big industrialists and landlords began to pour money into the party coffers, and of course, nothing was ever done about them. (Shirer 1960, 41) This point, raised by Shirer, shows that though Drexler was the father of the party, Hitler began to craft it into his own design. This became increasingly true once Hitler became chancellor. It is clear to see that Anton Drexler finding the German Workers Party is an immediate cause to the roots of Nazism across Germany.

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The last and most important immediate cause for the Nazi Party taking power is the appointment of Adolf Hitler as chancellor of the Weimar Republic on January 30th, 1933. This is the last event to happen leading up to the complete Nazi take over of Germany. It is here that the final root of Nazism is found. Prior to this appointment taking place, Hitler was just a radical politician seeking power to achieve his brutal goals. Once he was appointed by the president of the Weimar, Paul Von Hindenburg, Hitler was awarded with real and tangible power to effectively institute all of the Nazi platforms promised during the campaign. Shirer illustrates the moment that Hitler gets appointed while his comrades were waiting for the news quite well when he says A few moments later they witnessed the miracle. The man with the Charlie Chaplin mustache, who had been a down-and-out tramp in Vienna in his youth, an unknown soldier of World War I, a derelict in Munich in the first grim postwar dayshad just been administered the oath as Chancellor of the German Reich. (Shirer 1960, 4) It is this point exactly that the Nazi party was either going to be destroyed, or given the ultimate power over Germany. Unfortunately, the latter was the truth. It is now that no longer was the Weimar Republic in power, but the Third Reich was born into its bloody destiny. The fateful turning point of German history has occurred The role of Germany in the 20th century and the effect it had on the world was profound and unlike that of any other nation. Ian The responsibility for the horrors of World War II lay at the feet of Germany, including the war casualties and the holocaust. The pure amount of death was unlike anything the world had seen prior to the Second World War. All of these events would not be possible without the development of the

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Nazi Party. The roots of Nazism cannot be shown by one or two events of the early 20 th century German history, rather it can be traced through two background causes that built up the foundation of the ideology of the Nazi party from two immediate causes . The inspirations of H.S. Chamberlain and Friedrich Nietzsche inspired the young Hitler to form his unoriginal ideological foundation that eventually became the platform of the Nazi Party. The Treaty of Versailles also acted as a critical background factor into the roots of Nazism. The extremely harsh and punitive treaty left Germany in shambles, and animosity towards western powers intensely high. The vengeance towards the November criminals was a high priority for the Nazi Partys future platform for Germany. Aside from the background causes for the roots of Nazism, the two immediate causes played just as decisive of a role. Anton Drexler finding the party in 1920 and Hitler being appointed the chancellor of the Weimar Republic in 1933 are the two immediate reasons for the Nazi party coming to power, and their roots in German history. Shirer details this epic turn of history in his writings with an entry from the journal of Goebbels, a head Nazi official, just after the celebration of Hitlers appointment Scribbling in his diary before retiring, he wrote: It is almost like a dreama fairy taleThe new Reich has been born. Fourteen years of work have been crowned with victory. The German revolution has begun! (Shirer 1960, 5) It is at this point exactly that the turning point of history for Germany began. From Hitlers appointment on, the historical fate of Germany has forever been changed.

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Bibliography Abel, Theodore. The Nazi Movement. New York: Atherton Press, 1965. Brozat, Martin. The Hitler State. New York: Longman Inc., 1981. Herzstein, Robert. Adolf Hitler and the German Trauma. New York: Perigee Books, 1980. Jarman, T.L. The Rise and Fall of Germany. New York: New York University Press, 1956. Kershaw, Ian. Hitler: 1936-1945 Nemesis. New York: Norton & Company Inc., 2000. Koenigsberg, Richard. Hitlers Ideology: A study in Psychoanalytic Sociology. New York: Library of Social Science, 1975. Remak, Joachin. Nazi Years: A Documentary History. Prospect Heights: Simon and Schuster, Inc., 1969. Schoenbaum, David. Hitlers Social Revolution: Class and Status in Nazi Germany 1933-1939. New York: Doubleday Company Inc., 1966. Shirer, William. The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1960. Waite, Robert. Hitler and Nazi Germany. New York: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, Inc., 1965.