This Week in History

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CWA # 1413, 28 July 2024
This Week in History
Hitler publishes “Mein Kampf” highlighting Lebensraum and anti-Semitism

  Ramya B

On 18 July 1926, Adolf Hitler published the first volume of  “Mein Kampf.” The second volume was published in 1926. The composition of Mein Kampf is intricately connected to the conditions that preceded Hitler’s ascent in the Nazi Party and the wider socio-political environment of Germany after World War I. While serving a prison sentence after 1923, Hitler began composing “Mein Kampf” as a dual-purpose document, serving as both a personal declaration and a political exposition.

The Road to Mein Kampf
Adolf Hitler (1889-1945) was born in Braunau am Inn, Austria and did not go beyond secondary school. He aspired to be an artist and desired to pursue art studies, but was unsuccessful in gaining admission to the Academy of Fine Arts. He made the decision to go to Munich, partially driven by his intention to evade conscription in the Austro-Hungarian Army. In his book, Hitler recounts his experiences in Vienna, where he asserts that he came across a substantial Jewish community. The period he spent in Vienna, his failure to get admission to art school, and his exposure to multiple influences (Anti-Semitic literature and Pan German nationalist ideas), all had a role in shaping his radical beliefs, which he subsequently employed with disastrous consequences during his ascent to power and the execution of his programmes in Nazi Germany.

Hitler was imprisoned after the failed attempt of Beer Hall Putsch, to overthrow the existing Weimar Republic in 1923. Following the loss in World War I and the signing of the humiliating Treaty of Versailles (1919), Germany was undergoing profound loss, economic adversity, political instability, and social turmoil. Hitler after receiving the military medal, an Iron Cross for bravery in 1918 felt betrayed by the state for signing the armistice. He got affiliated with German Workers Party (DAP), which subsequently transformed into the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP or Nazi Party). Hitler’s persuasive speaking abilities and passionate promotion of nationalist ideas elevated him to a leadership position. In November 1923, Hitler received a five-year prison term in Landsberg Prison, but he only spent around nine months. Hitler was 34 years old when he composed ‘Mein Kampf’ during his prison sentence. He dictated to his trusted confidant, Rudolf Hess and the inaugural edition was released in 1925.

What is the Mein Kampf all about?
The first volume, “Eine Abrechnung,” translated as ‘A Reckoning’, delves into Hitler’s early life, his experiences during World War I, and the political and social ideologies he would later develop into his broader agenda. The second volume of Adolf Hitler’s “Mein Kampf, “Die Nationalsozialistische Bewegung,” meaning “The National Socialist Movement,” focuses on the development of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP), its political strategies, and its vision for Germany’s future. He provides a road map of his strategies for the future of Germany, his expansionist goals, and a comprehensive account of his anti-Semitic agenda.

The book examines the organisation and objectives of the NSDAP, highlighting the necessityof robust, centralised leadership and the significance of propaganda in garnering widespread backing. He argues that a strong and authoritative party organisation is essential for attaining political supremacy. Mein Kampf contains Hitler’s plan for the extension of Germany, commonly known as Lebensraum (living space). He supports the idea of Germany expanding its territory in Eastern Europe to get new regions and promote the advancement and success of the Aryan race. He contends that Germany should enlarge its area to get additional resources and living space for its population. He uses convenient historical examples to justify his expansionist goals, “Similar to how other countries have previously enlarged their territories, Germany must also strive to expand its borders to cater to the needs of its population.” Hitler deliberates on the apparent imperative of displacing or subordinating the inhabitants of Eastern Europe to facilitate the settlement of German colonisers.

The book also contains a substantial amount of anti-Semitic discourse, depicting Jews as a menace to German civilization and the Aryan race. Hitler asserts that Jews bear responsibility for several global issues and advocates for their complete exclusion from all facets of German society. He depicts the Jewish community as a hostile force that must be eliminated to maintain the integrity and power of the Aryan race. He claims that to create room for the Aryan race, the current populations must be moved or eliminated. The Slavs and Jews in the East are hindrances to our expansion and must be eliminated. 

Mein Kampf offers a disturbing glimpse into Adolf Hitler’s mindset and the underlying principles of Nazi philosophy. Initially, the book had a limited readership, but as Hitler gained power, it became a crucial component of the Nazi propaganda apparatus. The concepts set the foundation for the policies and acts that ultimately precipitated World War II and the Holocaust, culminating in the tragic loss of millions of lives.

The Fallouts
The book continues to generate controversy and is frequently examined to gain insights into the origins of totalitarianism, anti-Semitism, and the devastating consequences of radical ideas. Adolf Hitler largely followed through on the expansionist and aggressive policies outlined in Mein Kampf. Hitler’s administration violated the Treaty of Versailles by arming Germany again and increasing the military’s size, thereby laying the groundwork for future acts of aggression.

The belligerent military actions and invasions conducted in Europe, including the Anschluss in Austria, Czechoslovakia, and France, were integral to his overarching plan for territorial expansion. The invasion of Poland occurred in September 1939 when Germany initiated military action, thereby marking the commencement of World War II. This invasion was a direct execution of Hitler’s strategies to extend German territory throughout Eastern Europe. Operation Barbarossa, initiated by Hitler in June 1941, was a colossal military campaign aimed at invading the Soviet Union to provide a suitable habitat for Germans, under the Lebensraum ideology outlined in Mein Kampf. 

As a book, it is poorly written, lengthy, and lacks coherence or organisation of ideas. However, it achieved bestseller status and piqued the interest of researchers. The book’s propaganda exhibits a dearth of critical analysis and a willingness to embrace detrimental preconceptions and disinformation. Prioritising the development of critical thinking skills and promoting education can enable individuals to identify and question these perilous narratives. An analytical examination of Mein Kampf, with its historical and ideological backdrop, maybe a potent instrument for identifying and combating hatred and extremism in present- day society.

About the Author
Ms Ramya B is an Associate Professor at the Department of History, Kristu Jayanti College, Autonomous, Bengaluru

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