[Diogenes Of Pumpkintown]

Originally posted by Lifetime: Doh! Right Dio I misunderstood your question. Were you talking about why the Germans voted Hitler into power or how he gained their support AFTER coming into power? I believe that any good speaker with half a brain can manipulate a crowd, and Hitler was quite a gifted speaker at that. About what motivated the people? Hitler motivated the people. He promised them wealth, prosperity, freedom, and a restoration of national Pride. He promised them a nation they could be proud of. He rose to power because of the severe and harsh conditions of the people, (living under the Treaty of Versailles, the Great Depression, the loss of rightful German territory) and played with their minds and hearts to gain support for his Nazi war machine. He indoctrinated children into the Nazi cause(think the Hitler Youth, or the League of German Maidens, concentrating solely on the Aryan superiority), and made Nazism a way of life(formed cells and groups for every aspect of society, so as to better control certain groups of individuals and strengthen them to the Nazi cause). The main difference between the Nationalistic German and the Patriotic American is that the Germans were some of the poorest in Europe. They were no longer a great power to contend with England or France, had lost their territories and their people, and their currency was badly inflated. Americans are the richest, have very high standards of living, and generally do as they please. The belief is the same: national pride, desire for strong, decisive leaders to take action against oppressers, but the motives are different. The Germans were motivated by a better life, and hope. The Americans are motivated by anger, and pride. Most German people did not want to start a World War. Most Americans don't either. But neither will stand down and see their nation be trodded upon. That is the difference, and the similarity. The circumstances are different, but patriotism will always be patriotism, no matter what, who or how its inspired. Sometimes, when people have to choose between two evils, it can be blur as to which is the lesser.

Wow. Excellent and astute post, Lifetime. I agree.


Edited: Hmmmm . . . I see you added another paragraph. I liked your post better before. It is now less excellent and astute than it was

[This message has been edited by Diogenes Of Pumpkintown (edited 10-08-2001).]