Dictators of the World (part 1): Adolf Hitler - 'Nationalism taking over completely'
This is part one of a new series by Clement Manyathela on the world's dictators. Meet Adolf Hitler...
Adolf Hitler / Wikimedia Commons: Heinrich Hoffmann
Clement Manyathela interviews Dirk Kotze, Professor of Political Studies at UNISA.
Listen below.
Adolf Hitler was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria, in 1889.
In his youth, he dreamed of becoming a painter, but his artistic ambitions went largely unrecognised, leading to a life of poverty in Vienna.
Kotze suggests that this lack of success contributed to his resentment toward society.
"Ironically, the person who was his manager was a Jewish person and they developed a very close relationship."
- Dirk Kotze, Professor of political studies – UNISA
After a year of aimlessness, Hitler found purpose as a German soldier in World War I.
Kotze notes that he was deeply disturbed by Germany's defeat and infuriated by the harsh peace terms imposed on it by the victorious Allies.
These experiences, according to Kotze, made it relatively easy for Hitler to foster a simplistic form of German nationalism.
This newfound ideology led him to focus on ambitions beyond Germany's borders, with 'Lebensraum' – territorial expansion to gain 'living space' – becoming a key part of his agenda to strengthen Germany's power.
"That was the very beginning of the Second World War."
- Dirk Kotze, Professor of political studies – UNISA
Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany in 1933 after a series of electoral victories by the Nazi Party.
Once in power, he dismantled the nation’s democratic institutions and transformed Germany into a militaristic state focused on conquering Europe for the so-called Aryan race.
His invasion of Poland on 1 September 1939 ignited the European phase of World War II.
Throughout the war, Nazi forces rounded up and executed approximately 11 million individuals - including Jews, Slavs, homosexuals, and Jehovah’s Witnesses - deemed inferior or undesirable, labelling them as 'life unworthy of life'.
Kotze notes that the origins of Hitler's hatred toward Jewish people remain a subject of ongoing debate.
"He actually had close relationships with some Jews. It's not something that came from his youth, but it is sort of part of his upbringing that he was antisemitic."
- Dirk Kotze, Professor of political studies – UNISA
Hitler maintained absolute control until his suicide in April 1945.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.