Adolf Hitler

Adolf Hitler was an enigma to many people. The mysterious, vibrant man who believed above all in

his supreme confidence led Germany down one of the 20th century's darkest paths. Indeed, any

understanding of the actions taken by Germany in the 1930s and 40s must be based upon concise

knowledge of Hitler as the country's leader. The following is a compendium directed at examining

closely Adolf Hitler the man who became Adolf Hitler the myth.

Hitler entered office in the wake of some of the happiest years of his life. During the years 1926-29

he had purchased a home in the Bavarian mountains (1927) and his lazy days were filled with painting

and daydreaming. He was quietly laying out of the public eye before coming to power (ironically in a

democratic fashion) in 1933. When Hitler took office he immediately began to make his mark. He was a

man who believed himself to be a supreme judge in all areas, and this was exemplified when he

appointed committees to oversee every facet of social life (theater, propaganda, education, dress,

etc...). However, whenever Hitler disagreed with any decision made by a committee, he would

automatically overrule in his favor. He believed in his hardness and his brutality, and above all his

confidence and ultimate inevitable success. As his regime began to grow stronger, so did this

boundless confidence.

Hitler's greatness was something that he was aware of and wanted to make the public aware of as

well. The best way he exuded himself to the public was through his speeches. He seemed to be a man

possessed to the public, a mystifying presence in public who began to sway the will of the people. Here

is where the mythical man was born. He was the tireless public speaker who dared to brave the law and

uncover the true state of affairs for the people. He was the man who's heart was in the cause and

could arouse the emotions of the people and channel them to the nationalism they wanted. Through his

endless public addresses and tireless effort, he became a man who the people saw as their champion.

He embraced this feeling and became a leader of near biblical proportions in Germany. But who was this

man underneath the growing myth? What was he like?

The man himself is a study all his own. He was a very secretive man about his personal life which

made him a man of mystery to even his closest associates. He was a physically unimpressive man; short

with pale features, a hollow chest, spindly legs and an obvious feminine gait. However the propaganda

machine of the Nazi's doctored up his image on posters so the German people, who rarely saw the man

close up in public if at all, gained a favorable physical portrait of the man. This propaganda machine

also built him up as a sort of super-man who was the savior of the common people. The traits that the

propoganda machine concentrated on were humanness, modesty, simplicity, and a penchant for children

and animals.

Personally he believed that he had been sent to Germany by providence and with a mission to

perform. He was the chosen one to redeem the German people and reshape Europe. He was, in his

opinion, the German Messiah and destined to lead the new world order. He cut himself away from his

native Catholicism merely because he nor the German people could follow a "weak" Messiah that could

be crucified, and that he himself was a much stronger Messiah. He felt that he was divinely protected

and that he was nearly invincible. Through it all he felt an extreme concern to set an example for further

generations to follow so that his mark would always be borne. He felt that his life would not end with

death