The `Hitler Myth': Image and Reality in the Third ReichHitler's personality alone can scarcely explain his immense popularity and political effectiveness during the 1930s and `40s. Behind his strong hold over the German people lay the hopes and perceptions of the millions who adored him and consequently imbued him with larger-than-life characteristics. Based on secret popular opinion reports compiled by both the Nazis and their political enemies, this study of the Nazi state charts the creation, growth, and decline of the "Hitler Myth." Kershaw demonstrates how the manufactured Führer-cult formed a crucial integrating force in the Third Reich and acted as a vital catalyst in attaining Nazi political aims. Translated from German, this book affords readers a chilling look at how these masters of propaganda built on the beliefs, phobias, and predjudices of the day to create a popular image of Hitler that was at great odds with reality. |
Contents
Introduction | 1 |
THE MAKING OF THE HITLER MYTH 19201940 | 11 |
THE BREAKING OF THE HITLER MYTH 19401945 | 149 |
THE HITLER MYTH AND THE PATH TO GENOCIDE | 227 |
Conclusion | 253 |
List of Abbreviations and Glossary of German Terms and Names used in the Text and Notes | 270 |
Archival Sources and Newspapers Consulted | 274 |
| 277 | |
| 289 | |
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Common terms and phrases
Adolf Hitler Amberg anti-Semitism attack attitudes BA Amberg Bavaria Berchtesgaden Berlin Bolshevism bombing campaign Catholic cent Chancellor charismatic Church struggle Cited claimed criticism district Domarus Ebermannstadt election élites especially foreign policy Führer cult Führer myth German Germany's Gestapo Goebbels GSTA heroic Hitler cult Hitler image Hitler myth Hitler's popularity Hitler's speech Ibid ideological Jewish Question Jews July June Kitzingen leader leadership Lower Bavaria MadR major March Marktredwitz mass Meldungen military mood morale Munich Nazi Movement Nazi Party Nazi propaganda Nazism November NSDAP Nuremberg Party functionaries Party members peace people's comrades political Popular Opinion population reactions regime Reichstag RPvNB/OP RPVOB RPVOF/MF RPVS RPvUF rumours Schweinfurt SD report Sept soldiers Sopade Sopade reports Staatsarchiv Stalingrad StAM StANeu StAW Steinert success Third Reich tion triumph Upper Palatinate victory Völkischer Beobachter vorl Wehrmacht Weimar Würzburg