Word count: Date: 12/01/2011

Li Chun Ho (Alvin) IB History HL

Essay Question: To what extent was the rise to power of either Hitler or Mao due to personal appeal and ability? As a Christian I have no duty to allow myself to be cheated, but I have the duty to be a fighter for truth and justice. Adolf Hitler Hitlers rise in power, to a larger extent contains factors other than his personal appeal in te rms of personality and ability. Although having the ability to create long speeches often leaving audiences stunned and to organize the SA into a much disciplined force, these events could not have occurred with successes without a significant tragedy that rocked the nation. His appeal to the public as a patriotic former soldier can be seen as an advantage to increase his appeal as nationalistic spirits were widely felt across Germany after the outrageous result of the Treaty of Versailles. Yes, some of Hitlers abilities were responsible for the large scale of media attention he attracted. The news of his brave attempt of the Munich Putsch in 1923 began to spread throughout the nation during the trials as well as his novel. His ability to unite people through the identification of scapegoats derived from his ability to distract the majority of the German public. However, the crisis took the form of an economic depression where hyper-inflation led to the worthlessness of the German Mark which was caused by an external factor outside the Weimar Republics control. Without such an important crisis to create, no solution would be needed. Moreover, Hitlers rise to power would not have occurred without the incompetence of Von Schleicher who failed to enforce German stability, prompting Von Papen to position Hitler in a coalition government inadvisably. Hitlers background as a soldier from the first war emphasized his sense of nationalism to the country. He recognized the growing need for promises to be made during a time of uncertainty. With numerous other small parties in Germany, it was impossible to gain the total majority of votes needed to pass parliament without bilateral cooperation with other parties. This being impossible, Hitlers aggressive use of the military, highlighted by his attempt at the Munich Putsch, can be demonstrated as his methods to creating a government he believed could move forward. Setting up his small party among some thirty others of the same size, Hitler wasnt known nationwide until his arrest following the coup. Here, his advantageous ability to create speeches that drew mass attention from the public, such as the quote, There is no such thing as treason against the traitors of 1918. I only wanted what is best for the German people, were further emphasized by his novel Mein Kampf, which appears to be read like a long speech. Both of these sources indicate a strong need for nationalism, promises that included the rise of the economy and the identification of Germanys enemies. He supports his ideas through past theories, however often distorted ones, such as how Social Darwinism and how the purity of the great German Aryans were ruined by the Jews, where we can perceive Hitler as naming them scapegoats. Hitler identified this as a major reason to unite together because they are motivated by the patriotism of the country which made the people view him as a national hero in times of chaos. Many of his values were made so that they were interconnected; when we believe in one value, we believe in all of them. By doing so, he creates a heavy nationalistic audience that not only supports his initial social reforms but other steps that eventually lead him to power, such as the belief parliamentary democracy was weak, implying a form of single party state is needed.

Word count: Date: 12/01/2011

Li Chun Ho (Alvin) IB History HL

Essay Question: To what extent was the rise to power of either Hitler or Mao due to personal appeal and ability? Furthermore, acknowledging the power of propaganda, he also created emotional atmospheres throughout his rallies. His ability to understand peoples desperate needs made him exploit them. Large flags, banners and beliefs in Nazism were highly visible throughout the country. Furthermore, Hitler made his beliefs so that they appealed to both revolutionary and reactionary groups in German society, which could carry more momentum and support. He was also not hesitant to use violence and torture against the opposition in the public views, in front of passers-by in streets, which conveyed their commitment to their version of German nationalism. One the other hand, Hitler was only creating solutions to a problem that was beyond his control. After being hit badly by the invasion of the Belgium and French troops in the coal mining regions of the Ruhr, passive resistance and the Weimar Republics actions to print more money led to hyperinflation which was amplified by the American Wall street crash in 1929. Without the high level of economic chaos and the drain of public trust in the Weimar Republic, citizens would not have turned to such a radical party that invested in the use of violence and intimidation. They only do so when no other choices are present, such as the situation given in Germany at that time. Furthermore, luck appeared on Hitlers route to power as he received enough support that by 1932 the Nazi party was able to be the largest single party in parliament (but only 40-42 %, as opposed to the minimum of 2/3 to pass parliament), however enough to be small that Von Papen, elected current chancellor of Germany by Hindenburg, believed Hitler could be controlled in a coalition government. A coalition government comprises of several different political parties cooperating with each other to ensure no single party can gain the minimum majority for parliament. Without this Von Papens interpretation of Hitlers strength and Hindenburgs approval Hitler would not have reached Chancellor of the coalition government in Germany. The same could be said with Hindenburgs approval of the Enabling Act in 1933 after the fire of the Reichstag. Hitlers ability to set the building on fire is questioned as the circumstances surrounding the event contained too compelling evidences which might suggest a set-up. Not taking this in mind, we can see to it that Hitler still had relied much on other aspects apart from his ability. Furthermore, luck was on Hitlers hand when he was able to fully eliminate the previous SA promptly without many failures in June 1934. Therefore at a larger majority it seems Hitlers steps of the ladder to success could not have proceeded with the absence of factors apart from personal appeal and ability. His profound ability to exploit the interests of the media to send propaganda messages and banners to appeal to all classes of society and the creation of a tense yet emotive tone during their rallies at such an appropriate time to some degree contributed to his publicity, as emphasized by the starting of the Munich Putsch which was also by his creation. However, without the presence of a crisis at such a magnitude Hitlers efforts would have proven futile to move the emotions and thoughts of German citizens.