German Worker's Party

One of the interesting parts of the first section of Mein Kampf was Hitler’s description of joining the German Worker’s Party. Hitler’s detailed description of going to his first meeting of the party and then deciding to join the party was an interesting testament to the time and Hitler’s mindset. The effect that the Revolution had on Hitler and Germany can be clearly seen. Hitler mentions how a lot of little parties were popping up during this time and how he thought that the German Worker’s Party would just be another one of these that would not last very long. Of course he looked down on the party and everyone in it. He looked around and said he realized how the people who were present at the meetings were not fit to lead the nation and improve it. He was angry with this. Hitler also points out that most people are from a lower class. When it comes time for the lecture he is unimpressed with Feder, but of course can’t help an angry tirade when someone said something he didn’t agree with. Hitler even said that the man left the hall like a “wet poodle” after he spoke out against him (Hitler 219). He also makes clear that during this time he was thinking about forming a party of his own and that this was part of the reason that he had a long contemplation about joining the German Worker’s Party. Hitler says something very interesting; that I think ties into our discussion at last week’s recitation:
The longer I tried to think it over, the more conviction grew in me that through just such a little movement the rise of the nation could some day be organized, but never through the political parliamentary parties which clung far to greatly to the old conceptions or ever shared in the profits of the new regime. (Hitler 223)
Hitler decides to change the party to meet the needs he wants, which is part of the reason that the party lasted while so many others didn’t. It is remarkable that this occurred. That Hitler was able to manipulate the party and its members to change into what he wanted from them and to lead them into what eventually would become the Nazi Party. Hitler ends the chapter four with what is essentially him listing the odds her overcame, but it is also interesting. Hitler was poor and uneducated and one out of millions, but he was also angry and gifted in speaking. He saw the opportunity to take over the party and he took advantage of it.