Hitler the Opportunist

Most of the events that occurred during Hitler’s time played an important role in forming the man we know today. Prior to WWI, Hitler was a complete nobody. He barely got by on his allowances and struggled to make ends meet by being a painter on the sidewalk. To begin with, to have no recorded accomplishments or a considerably high social status is likely to have been damaging to Hitler’s apparently huge ego. Yet, because he was born and raised without any of these to fall from, perhaps he did not have a huge disappointment to face. There was nothing that could have damaged his morality of self. However, what seems to have been his one true passion and what he believed as his forte, art, was not seen as competent enough for the Academy of Fine Arts in Vienna. Hitler’s failure to be accepted in the Academy, twice, must have been an enormous blow to his pride, confidence and ego.

Struggling to meet ends meet and with no direction in his life, he probably wasn’t feeling too great about himself either. Finding success in the army, and later participation the war, must have strengthened Hitler’s pride. The egoistic opportunist that he is portrayed to be in Kershaw’s book probably lapped up the privileges and sense of accomplishment the army and the war had probably given him.

There are multiple instances in Kershaw’s book where Kershaw states events that seem to imply Hitler’s opportunist character. For instance, the way he “carried on his ceaseless agitation much as before, able to exploit the continued tension between Bavaria and the Reich” (175). From this statement alone, we can see that not only was Hitler an opportunist, he was also a man of perseverence. In the earlier part of the book, Hitler seems to portray one of idealistic character as well. Perhaps this idealistic characteristic of Hitler’s helped to perpetuate his opportunism and perseverance in achieving what he wanted.

During the post-war and revolution years, Hitler gained recognition for his ability to speak to and reach out to the masses - one more boost to his already-expanded ego. During a violent disruption in mid-September 1921, “the police had to ask Hitler’s help in calling his men to order” (175). If even the police, men who are meant to be the one’s responsible for the maintenance of public order, need to call to Hitler for help, it is no wonder if Hitler felt more confident of his ability to take complete control of Germany.

Hitler triumphed on propaganda and publicity. Kershaw states that “violent clashes with his opponents were the lifeblood of his movement” (176). This explains how the war, post-war and revolution in Germany during Hitler’s time provided the social and political environments where a man of Hitler’s nature could thrive.

Hitler’s idealistic, persevering, charismatic and opportunistic characteristics are positive qualities that can make a successful man. Indeed, Hitler was, for a significant period of time, successful in his political agendas. If only he had kinder motivations, ideologies and intentions, he could have been a different Hitler we know about today.

Without the war and revolution, there would have been none of the opportunities for Hitler to rise. Hitler lived on publicity and the people’s support. The people thought they needed Hitler, when in fact, Hitler needed them. Without the political and economic instability in Germany during that time, there would not have been the social environment for the people to believe in the things Hitler had told them.