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Hitler in History podcast

Listen to the podcast found on moodle stop at 23 mins


Ian Kershaw, Neil Ferguson and Mary Fulbrook

1. What definition does Kershaw provide for totalitarianism?


A concept that applies to a revolutionary phase of society where the entire
system is being upturned by a political party or movement that stakes total
claim of control over that society. Not only to control the body of the
individual but also the mind.
Systems of rule over a revolutionary phase where they are staking a total
claim.
2. What definition did the two political scientists Friedrich and Brzezinski give for
totalitarianism?
In a very stream line state, there would be one party, one leader, monopoly
over the use of force, economy and military.
3. According to Fulbrook, to what extent was Nazi Germany a totalitarian state
when using the Friedrich and Brzezinski definition?
A limited extent
4. What details does Fulbrook provide about the Intentionalist historians and the
Structuralist historians?
Took off in the 1980s, trying to explain the origins of genocide
Intentionalist historians agreed that the people under Hitler were working
towards the Furher (as explained in Ian Kershaws book) which actually
brought about outcomes that were intended by the Furher but werent
explicitly ordered by him.
5. What two areas does Ferguson believe highlight the Intentionalist view?
Racial policy
The implementation of anti-sematic policies, where he wasnt lenient on
stamping things in paper
6. What was the early view of historians with regards to Hitlers role? Why does
Kershaw believe they had this view?
In the 1950s, the early post-war view of Hitler was that he did everything and
he was the one person to blame in the system.

Apologetic input in this by focusing solely on Hitler

7. What conditions does Fulbrook identify to explain how Hitler came to power?
A number of features:
o Defeat of the First World War
o Fragile and peculiar character of the democracy
o Wall St. Crash and the depression of the German economy
o Conservative elites and their support
Extra (not legit): Very specific circumstances after the first World War and the
Weimar Republic where one man could lead a mass social movement with
the assistance of old elites who had lost control in the situation. Furthermore
the specific historical circumstances which these things could come about.
8. What main points does Kershaw focus on to explain the rise of Hitler to power?

Building on top of deep seeded national humiliation which comes before the deep
economic crisis caused by the Great Depression. (Comprehensive crisis of state and
society/the entire system)
Hitler in that context is able to gain increasing support from his sense of utopian
vision in response to these crises.
o 1933 - Blending of politics and ideology of national redemption which make
the dynamic of Nazism

Neil Fergusons viewpoint

Cultural crisis created pre-World War One


Hitler creates a pseudo-religion

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