Peter Fritzsche and the Rise of Nazism in Germany
Peter Fritzsche lived at a period when Nazism began to emerge in Germany. Peter evidently kept track of events, particularly between 1914 and 1933. The author above claims that the devastating Second World War forced Germans to accept Nazism within their own ranks. Germans began to value the Volksgemeinschaft more as they considered their chances of winning the impending conflict. (Fritzsche 5).
Adolf Hitler's Rise to Power
Following the unexpected turn of German history in 1914, Peter Fritzsche primarily began collecting his work. For instance, when Germans and Adolf Hitler met in Berlin, it forced the country's citizens to create a coalition that would keep them united. During the period of First World War, many people in the country irrespective of their social and political backgrounds came in handy to represent their nation. Around July of 1914, the war began to take the course (Fritzsche 8). Adolf Hitler wanting power over Germany convinced Germans to join his National Socialist German Workers Party. According to Peter Fritzsche, Adolf gained the support of almost all Germans since he was more vocal in his movement compared to the Weimar Party. Germans were attracted to the uncountable promises advanced by Hitler and believed they found peace with him. Although Nazism seemed unbearable, Germans failed to consider the fact and went on to support their stand. Nazism would hasten the collapse of local traditional organizations and diminished power for the local leaders. However, Germans were quite unaware of the consequences accrued to their rush for socialism.
The Aftermath of World War I and the Rise of the Weimar Republic
Reviews on Peter Fritzsche reveal that immediately the World War 1 ended, the Versailles Treaty took way in Germany. Evidently, the treaty was for Nazism substantially affecting the then-struggling economy. Later on, Bolshevik Revolution attempted to take control of the state but could not replace the socialist group. Germany failed in the First World War 1 and could not bear the thought. Ideally, the Jewish leaders carried the blame for the defeat. Following the catastrophe, a revolution was planned to reconstruct the leadership of Germany. Peter Fritzsche outlines that the Republicans took over power at the time of revolution and later renamed the Weimar Republic. Social Democratic Party of Germany having significant influence over Germany sought to prevent any possible war waging from the German workforce and the conservatives as Fritzsche (5) argue. To manage the situation, SPD decided to allow most of the German Jews considered high class retains their political positions by accommodating them in the newly endorsed Republican regime.
The November Revolution in Germany
The German revolution occurred in almost every part of the country. SDP and USPD substantially involved themselves in the revolution with its laborers and police units perpetuating the movement. Along the coast, sailors got the go-ahead directive to join the revolution. The revolution left many people locked up in prisons, killed, and injured at the expense of advocating for a better government. In his book, Peter Fritzsche recorded some events that happened during the November revolution in 1918 (Fritzsche 36). Talks were held in a bid to save the nation and usher peace among Germans. Suffering and hard times Germans underwent led to their further call for an improved leadership as soon as possible. The German revolution took a while before coming to an end. At the onset of 1919, the movement still existed and on November 9 that year, the civil conflict grew enormous leading the desertion of power by Emperor Wilhelm (Fritzsche 65). The socialist group stood against the governance of Soviet party. Parliamentary talks were instead held to pave the way for any possible evolvement. SPD gained popularity among German workforce with many votes accrued to it. The revolution is said to have begun with the sailors. The Imperial Naval Command led by Franz von Hipper and ReinhardScheer aimed at fighting the Royal Navy. Their plot got no approval at all. Several sailors felt the impact of the attack and in turn rose to revolt. Quite some sailors who pioneered the revolution got detained in the cell further calling on the revolutionists to demand the setting free of their associates.
The Rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party
With the growing influence of USPD and SPD groups, the sailors strived to join the unions. For two consecutive days, negotiations were sought at the then parliament, which the police later stopped. However, the pressing issues forced the laborers to hold their assemblies in open places attracting the attention of more people. Peter Fritzsche subsisted at this time of the German struggle for peace and democracy. He, therefore, kept records of all happenings during the period. In his book, Germans into Nazis, it is clear that Germans not only purposed for the release of the revolutionists in custody but also called for better lives that had turned worse after the World War. Conversely, the demonstration resulted in the death of people and others escaping with injuries. On 4th of November, the situation in Germany almost became difficult to manage (Fritzsche 123). Gustav Noske bestowed hope for peace for the SPD requested him to calm the ongoing disorder. Apparently, one person could not stop the revolts since no matter what he tried; the revolution still extended across the country. Germans suffered for a considerably long time according to Peter Fritzsche's book, Germans into Nazis. January 15th marked a sad day in German calendar following the alleged killings Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg (Fritzsche 155).
Adolf Hitler's Reign and the Harsh Reality of the Nazi Party
According to (Fritzsche 234), the German Nazis party operated under the leadership of Adolf Hitler up to 1945. Practically, Adolf employed dictatorship in his rule with no one at the time daring to oppose any delegations he made. Hitler's prospects for power began between 1914 and 1918 after the World War (Fritzsche 205). However, he failed to proceed with his mission of politics in totality since he was detained at around that time. Hitler held on to his dream of ever leading Germans into Nazis by seeking leadership rights through what he termed as legal means. The Jews were in control of German Empire after the Great War that ensued. With the Jews in leadership, the German economy deteriorated and living conditions for the poor worsened. The desperation created by the former party made Germans to opt for the Nazi party that promised them improvement in every sector of their lives. Foreigners invaded the prosperous Ruhr Valley raising the level of unemployment among locals. With Mussolini as Hitler's influence, he hoped to make use of the current situation to get a majority vote from the suffering Germans. In 1923, many people had joined the Nazis movement ready to embrace change (Fritzsche 223). At this point, Adolf Hitler went on to plan an overthrow of the Berlin authority. Hitler aimed at mobilizing the right wing followers to support his move. However, did not go as planned leading to his arrest for disloyalty.
The Nazi Party's Rise to Power
According to Peter Fritzsche in his work, Nazi party rose to power in 1930 with the voting of Germans revealing Nazis victory. In 1933, Hitler was seen to be the running head of Field Marshal Paul Von Hindenburg (Fritzsche 235). Later on, Hitler got entitled by Marshal to lead the Nazis party in the nation. Within a few years, Hitler had total power over his jurisdiction, and within no time, he removed all his opponents. Hitler established contact with the then leader together with Reichstag to grant him supremacies, which saw the stopping of the Enabling Act of 1933. After the demise of Hindenburg, Adolf Hitler had a better chance of advancing his political stands for there no longer existed the position of the president. Hitler officially took over Germany and saw mass support for his leadership.
The Appeal and Support for the Nazi Party
Peter Fritzsche in his book mentions actions of the Nazis party were relatively not appealing to the outside world and the Germans themselves. In 1935 for instance, racial lines came into existence. Peter's book explains in the details of the Germans' support for Nazi (Fritzsche 245). Problems of all kinds ranging from social, political, and financial challenges became rampant after the World War 1. The public issues became too extreme for Germans to handle. According to written facts by Peter Fritzsche, many people experienced despair and hopelessness since they could not provide their beneficiaries with food, women found themselves engaging in commercial sex, those in urban areas failed to cater for their rent, the rate of unemployment grew sharply, and crime among the youth increased. Adolf Hitler presented himself to fellow Germans giving those hopes of minimized problems. The emotions inflicted upon the Germans who lived poorly turned them into accepting the call of Nazis party. Hitler led the Germans into accusing the communists and Jews of all the trouble they faced. People were given an opportunity to express their distress and acquire better lives. Furthermore, Nazis rule appeared harsh and dictatorial. Anyone who rebelled faced extermination with immediate effect. Threats imposed on Germans, therefore, forced them to join the regime. Uprising movements that attempted disregarded the party were not spared detention at police points. Hitler's acts of working against the conservatisms and intolerance of Jews explain why Nazis gained a lot of support in the country.
The Transformation of Germany Under Nazi Rule
Peter Fritzsche's book focuses on an important historical period that Germany underwent during the after war period. According to Fritzsche, Hitler brought more of positivity in Germany than loathing among his followers. The book, Germans into Nazis exclusively covers the turn of events in Germany since 1914 thus it explicitly discusses how the nation transformed from being a war zone to a dictatorial state and finally to a democratic state. Fritzsche argues that Nazis of Hitler stood firmly by convincing Germans of the corrupt nature of the Weimar Republic. Nazis rule enjoyed the support of Germans since it presented itself in a convincing manner. In reality, Nazis movement entailed fantasies of reconstructing Germany and not solely focused on overthrowing the Versailles treaty. It concerned itself with leading Germans out of misery into a more appealing future. The Nazi party further changed its name to the Nationalist Socialist German Workers Party. Peter Fritzsche in his work, Germans into Nazis displayed the internal situations of Germany to the entire world.
Works Cited
Fritzsche, Peter. Life and Death in the Third Reich. Belknap, 2009. Print.
