Germans Into Nazis
Germans Into Nazis by Peter Fritzsche, published by Harvard University Press in 1998, offers a detailed exploration of the political dynamics that led ordinary Germans to support Hitler. This edition spans 269 pages and is presented in English. Fritzsche examines pivotal moments in German history, particularly during the years 1914, 1918, and 1933, to understand the factors contributing to the Nazis’ popularity, challenging common narratives that attribute this support solely to anti-Semitism or the aftermath of World War I.
Readers will find an analysis that situates the rise of Nazism within a broader context of democratization and political change, highlighting a populist revolution that emerged from the turmoil of World War I and the subsequent societal shifts. The book delves into how the Nazis effectively combined elements from both the political Left and Right, intertwining nationalism with social reform and fostering a climate of intense nationalism. Fritzsche’s work sheds light on the complexities of this historical period, illustrating how a regime that drew on widespread public support ultimately led Germany toward war and genocide.
Official synopsis Publisher
Why did ordinary Germans vote for Hitler? In this dramatically plotted book, organized around crucial turning points in 1914, 1918, and 1933, Peter Fritzsche explains why the Nazis were so popular and what was behind the political choice made by the German people.
Rejecting the view that Germans voted for the Nazis simply because they hated the Jews, or had been humiliated in World War I, or had been ruined by the Great Depression, Fritzsche makes the controversial argument that Nazism was part of a larger process of democratization and political invigoration that began with the outbreak of World War I.
The twenty-year period beginning in 1914 was characterized by the steady advance of a broad populist revolution that was animated by war, drew strength from the Revolution of 1918, menaced the Weimar Republic, and finally culminated in the rise of the Nazis. Better than anyone else, the Nazis twisted together ideas from the political Left and Right, crossing nationalism with social reform, anti-Semitism with democracy, fear of the future with hope for a new beginning. This radical rebelliousness destroyed old authoritarian structures as much as it attacked liberal principles.
The outcome of this dramatic social revolution was a surprisingly popular regime that drew on public support to realize its horrible racial goals. Within a generation, Germans had grown increasingly self-reliant and sovereign, while intensely nationalistic and chauvinistic. They had recast the nation, but put it on the road to war and genocide.
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “Germans Into Nazis” about?
Who is the author of “Germans Into Nazis”?
When was “Germans Into Nazis” published?
What is the ISBN for “Germans Into Nazis”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
