This notion was explored in depth by historian Ian Kershaw in his 1987 book The Hitler Myth Image and Reality in The Thirds Reich. Using a method centered on the public image of Hitler, Kershaw revealed that Hitler’s rise to power was not caused by any particular successes in revitalizing Germany’s ailing economy in the 1930’s. Rather, Hitler was able to seize power because he cast himself into the role of leader or Fuhrer. Once he was securely in place as the Fuhrer, Hitler used nationalism to rearm and remilitarize Germany. Then, Hitler used nationalism to justify German expansion into territories such as the Rhineland, Austria, and the Sudetenland. Eventually, Hitler’s use of nationalism triggered Germany to invade Poland in 1939 commencing World War
This notion was explored in depth by historian Ian Kershaw in his 1987 book The Hitler Myth Image and Reality in The Thirds Reich. Using a method centered on the public image of Hitler, Kershaw revealed that Hitler’s rise to power was not caused by any particular successes in revitalizing Germany’s ailing economy in the 1930’s. Rather, Hitler was able to seize power because he cast himself into the role of leader or Fuhrer. Once he was securely in place as the Fuhrer, Hitler used nationalism to rearm and remilitarize Germany. Then, Hitler used nationalism to justify German expansion into territories such as the Rhineland, Austria, and the Sudetenland. Eventually, Hitler’s use of nationalism triggered Germany to invade Poland in 1939 commencing World War