406. The Nazis in Power: Hitler’s Road to War (Part 3)
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Jan 8, 2024
The discussion delves into Hitler's early ideological motivations and his obsession with rearmament, tracing back to his views expressed in Mein Kampf. The speakers dissect Germany's economic struggles and Hitler's calculated political maneuvers that defied the Treaty of Versailles. They highlight the fervent public support that bolstered his ambitions, alongside a detailed look at early alliances with Italy. The podcast explores the impact of the Rhineland remilitarization, revealing how these strategic decisions escalated tensions in Europe and paved the way for future conflicts.
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insights INSIGHT
Hitler's Core Belief
Hitler's core belief was that man is born for competition and struggle.
Without it, mankind diminishes, as exemplified by his interpretation of Germany's purpose.
insights INSIGHT
Hitler's Promise
Hitler aimed to reverse the Treaty of Versailles and regain German pride.
This resonated with Germans who wanted to restore their national identity and power.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Rhineland's Importance
Remilitarizing the Rhineland was crucial for Germany, as its industrial heartland was vulnerable.
France could easily seize the Ruhr, highlighting the high stakes for German high command.
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Mein Kampf, written by Adolf Hitler while he was imprisoned following the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923, is a two-volume work that combines autobiography and political treatise. The book details Hitler's early life, his experiences during World War I, and his increasing antisemitism and militarism. It outlines his vision for Germany, including the need for Lebensraum (living space) in Eastern Europe, and his racist and anti-Semitic views. The work became the central text of National Socialism and a blueprint for Hitler's policies, including aggressive foreign policy and the persecution of Jews and other minority groups.
The Wages of Destruction
The Making and Breaking of the Nazi Economy
Adam Tooze
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of the economic history of Nazi Germany, highlighting how economic constraints and strategies influenced Hitler's decisions and the outcome of World War II. Tooze argues that Hitler's aggression was a response to the rise of the United States as a global hegemon and Germany's relative economic poverty. The book details the rapid mobilization of Germany's economy for war, the use of slave labor, and the impact of strategic bombing campaigns. It challenges several myths about the Nazi economy, including the idea of an armaments miracle under Albert Speer and the potential for greater mobilization of women in the war economy.
“No one can doubt that this world will one day be the scene of dreadful struggles for existence on the part of mankind. In the end, the instinct of self-preservation alone will triumph.”
Hitler has been planning for war since 1928. However, the Treaty of Versailles has placed immense limitations on his ability to rearm Germany, and he must first overcome internal enemies, whether the SA or the communists. He will then need to build-up the Nazi war machine, to allow him to expand the Third Reich and gain his much-desired lebensraum, “living space”. But with Germany facing economic decline, will Hitler’s push for rearmament provide a solution to the economy’s manifold problems? Or will the Führer simply use foreign policy coups as a smokescreen, to hide the dire straits facing the German people? Hitler can be certain of one thing - Britain and France do not want another war…
Join Tom and Dominic in the third part of our series on the Nazis in Power, as they look at how Hitler, both materially and ideologically, prepared the country for war, and, as a brilliant opportunist, preyed on the Allies’ weaknesses in order to complete his rearmament of Germany.
The Rest Is History 
