Germany’s history is both vast and broad in the differences of events and uprisings that have brought it to what it is today. One of the most published and known uprisings is that of the Nazi Party in Germany, beginning in 1919, eventually rising to power and holding reign from 1933-1945. This has always been a fascinating rise to power to me, and I have researched and studied Hitler and the Nazi Party rise extensively. Hitler’s rise was fast, unprecedented, and absolutely astonishing.

(Hitler seems to have been a man who was always scheming and ready and able to adjust to anything)

            What I find most interesting about the Hitler and Nazi regime’s rise is where it all began. What I mean by this statement is that the rise to this party and the ideals Hitler was able to spread across an entire nation did not necessarily begin with the 1933 fall of the Weimer Republic. In my eyes, Hitler was able to bring the Nazi party to power because of his incredible and extensive knowledge of Germany’s most recent history. He understood and had an extremely unique analysis of the First World War and how Germany’s political system had worked to repair Germany and bring the great country back after a devastating defeat. With all of this knowledge and understanding Hitler was the first and most prominent person in Germany to do what no one else had done successfully, find others to blame.

            As we all know, Hitler was an incredible speaker and could truly reach out and have massive affects on anyone that was able to hear him speak. Even early on in an election year that Hitler was somewhat of an outcast with a new party and very new ideals, he was able to gain headway early on. In the German election system of rounds “Hitler received 37 percent (of the vote), showing that the poisonous anti-Semitic mudslinging his campaign indulged had been effective (241)”.

(Hitler was well-known for extremely thought out and effective propaganda, like this Anti-Jewish poster)

      Hitler was able to find ways to blame Germany’s current state of devastation on not only the Jews, but on current government and political strategies. With Hitler’s impressive speech skills, paired with an also impressive set of leadership skills he was really able to reach out to millions. These abilities fuming Hitler through his speeches tied with someone to blame, and an immediate group for the German people to point a finger at for their current horrific standard of living made Hitler and the rising Nazi party a force to be reckoned with.

(German Hyperinflation leaves kids to literally "play" with bills)

            Overall, I have found the German history that we have read about so far as pretty fascinating. I was at first amazed at how unique Germany was from a historic aspect. Not only is Germany one of the world’s youngest unified countries, it’s actual unification process set it apart from almost any other nation I have ever learned about. As we learned more, I became impressed with Germany and its uniqueness. Not only did it rise and unify in different ways, it did so with powerful and impressive confidence. The simple proof of this is that Germany is merely almost 150 years unified is an impressive economic world power. In our most recent readings, I am again impressed with Germany. While I fully understand that reign of Hitler and the unspeakable atrocities of his actions, one cannot help but be amazed at his motives, his rise, his reign, and his overall leadership. With the German history he had access to, the failed attempts at governments with the Weimar Republic, and the extreme devastation of living standards Germany was currently dealing with, Hitler was fueled with ammunition. He was one of the most prominent world leaders EVER in being able to utilize what he had in his power to raise and rule. As far as my opinion and “deep” thought on the matter, I truly wonder what if Hitler had sided with the Republic and how different Germany and the world would’ve been with such a powerful and incredible leader of a man having sane ideals and not being the sick tyrant that he was. 

The Birth of the German Nation

     First off, I have to say I think I am at a lucky advantage over the rest of the group. I met with Professor Wolf this morning to make up for not being able to attend our past meeting, and we dove into a little discussion of the German history and unique unification process we read about in Chapters 3-5. However, I still have a long ways to go before I feel I can call myself ready to travel to Germany and not just be your typical American tourist.
     I have always found it hard to be interested in European history prior to the 19th century, as I have always felt it is all somewhat similar and plays off of itself. What I mean, is that most of Europe operated in similar fashion with the other countries, and kingdoms, and Lords dominated the lands of all major nations for quite sometime. However, being the typical American I am, I was wrong again. One of the things Professor Wolf and I discussed was how unique and unlike typical reasons for unification Germany used to come together.
     German unification came less out of a need based drive towards one common goal, and more was brought about from an opening of minds and abundance of intelligence. Germany was a divided nation politically and religiously, the second of the two being a problem that other European nations did not have to deal with. The following map shows purely religious divisions of Germany in the year 1610, with the northern half practicing forms of Christianity and the southern half being Catholic.

    Despite the religious divisions and multiple kingdoms of power in Germany not wanting to budge and conform with one another, the Germans had more to unite around than they believe. For instance, Germany has long since been a culture of artistic and liberal intelligence in almost all aspects of the maths, the sciences, music, and other arts of all times. German love of arts led to the love and feelings of expression and outward public opinion. Differing opinions and liberal representations of opinions can often lead to repression from church or state, however, Germany truly gained a voice in central Europe with its liberal opinions and knowledge. This liberal uprising in central Europe brought about the Enlightenment, which gave us many philosophical thinkings. One of my favorite being the ideals of Immanuel Kant when he stressed that we as humans truly live in "two worlds simultaneously, the realm of appearances..."where we are just one of billions, and "the realm of practical morality, in which we are free" (95). Kant and other liberal ideas gave way to a freedom of thought and expression, the liberal and artistic Germans were able to see amongst themselves as their first real common identity. Kant's Critique of Pure Reason, gave an eye opening view of human morality, and individual human freedom. 

     From the late 18th century during the Enlightenment and an opening of liberal and outward thought, Germans never looked back. "In the period of Wars of Liberation and the Revolution of 1848, the reading public grew as many more people attained literacy" (117). I believe that with literacy comes a yearning to learn, and an expanding mind learning through text and ideals of others is an amazing thing. The German culture could now relate to one another through teachings other than religion that was conflicting for them. A Northern Lutheran and Southern Catholic in Germany now had readings like Kant, and music from Beethoven and Wolfgang to relate with one another and see past religious differences. 

     The mid-1800's finally saw Germany truly become a part of the European markets and grow and unite in a big way as a nation. The Germans were slowly developing a military presence as more than just a bunch of divided kingdoms that would team up when threatened. Germany experienced an industrial BOOM that brought about great and phenomenally unifying railway systems that created jobs and benefited greatly from cheap labor. 

     With transportation options, trade and market activity becomes easier and finds ways to take off with "amounts of money in circulation, bank deposits, and capital investment with the German Customs Union increasing three-fold" from 1850-1857 (130-131). 

    While Germany progression toward unification and the true birth of a nation was slow, long, and different than many other nations of history and of the time, it gave Germans a lot to be proud of and come together on. Germans were able to come together through artistic and intelligent ideals, Enlightenment thoughts and literary growth, as well as booming industry and economic expansion. 

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