1. The Hitler Myth nature and effects of the myth Hitler’s personal popularity

2. What was the myth? A carefully cultivated image; evidence to suggest that this image was believed. Gobbel’s said the creation of the Hitler myth was his finest achievement as Minister for Propaganda Hitler personified the nation and stood above selfish or private interests. Hardworking, dynamic, energetic – a political genius Utterly devoted to the good of the German nation Understood and represented the German people The People’s Chancellor and a ‘man of the people’ Gave Germany back its pride and defended it against its enemies Architect of the German economic miracle

3. The Reality Lazy – rose late (after mid day) and frequently spent the day watching films Got bored with detail – ignored official papers Reliant on officials around him Indecisivie – frequently delayed making decisions Had a long term relationship with his mistress Eva Braun

4. Bases of Personal Popularity Fuhrerprinzip: exploited the German people’s desire for strong leadership Hitler sustained the regime and brought most people together through strong leadership By late 1930s c. 90% of Germans admired Hitler “ the adulation of Hitler by millions of Germans who might otherwise have marginally committed to Nazism meant that the person of the Fuhrer as a focal point of consensus formed a crucial integral force in the Nazi system of rule” (Ian Kershaw, Hubris 1933-39)

5. What was Hitler’s appeal? Offered what people wanted; maintained traditional values Capitalised on disillusionment with Weimar Political changes were technically constitutional Promised to restore hope and create a strong national community –Volkesgemeinschaft Hitler was seen as moderate: subordinates blamed for the regime’s failings

6. Downfall Myth eventually contributed to the decline of the Third Reich- power struggles made the regime unstable Hitler began to believe in the myth, that he was infallible. Kershaw:” The day that Hitler began to believe in his own myth, marked in a sense the beginning of the end of the Third Reich.”