ADVERTISEMENTS:
After the First World War (1914-18) the principles preached by Hitler are known as Nazism. There is no need to give details of Nazism, because its principles are identical to those of Fascism.
The reasons for the rise of Nazism:
Germany faced a defeat in the First World War. Heavy war reparations were imposed on her. Many of her parts were given way to the neighbouring states and the German armed forces were reduced, consider ably. Many types of restrictions were imposed on their increase or the manufacture of various types of weapons of war.
Germany suffered a severe loss in the war and its treasury lay empty. She had no money to give to the allies, i.e., England, France the U.S.A., etc.; but the allies wanted to realize the money from Germany by force. Thus, the economic condition of Germany deteriorated considerably.
After World War I, Weimar Constitution of Germany was framed. According to it, democracy was established. This democracy continued till 1919-1933. The democratic government of Germany could not solve the problems which had arisen owing to World War I and the Treaty of Versailles.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Hitler took undue ad advantage of this situation. He preached against communism and democracy and laid emphasis on the obedience to one leader. Hitler’s principles and programmes became very popular in Germany. In 1933 he was elected the Chancellor (Prime Minister) of Germany.
Theory of Hitler or Nazism:
Like Mussolini, Hitler condemned communism and democracy and supported his personal dictatorship. He raised the slogan of turning the Jews out of Germany for their seditious activities and for the restoration of the parts of Germany to German mainland. He laid special emphasis on the renunciation of rights, liberty and equality, and on dutifulness, discipline and sacrifice.
He, too, wanted to make the state omnipotent and considered it his duty to control and regulate economic spheres in the national interest. He also supported the view that war was inevitable and believed in violent means to achieve his ends. He believed in racialism and imperialism and said that the Germans were connected with the Aryan race and they had the right to rule over the whole world.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In order to achieve his purposes, Hitler invaded Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Belgium and France. It resulted in the outbreak of the Second World War. Germany was defected in 1945 and Hitler committed suicide. In this way, Nazism came to an end in Germany after World War II and once again democracy was established there.
Criticism:
Though Hitler made efforts to consolidate the unity of his country, to infuse patriotism among the people, and to increase the production, yet his imperialist wars and the use of force is condemnable. The propaganda of racialism is also not desirable. Hit propaganda against democracy and in favour of dictatorship was totally unfair.