Tap to Read ➤

Adolf Hitler's Life: Mein Kampf

The German economic distress gave birth to a fierce Adolf Hitler, the writer of Mein Kampf. Read on.
Vaishali Satwase

Did You Know?

The original name of the 'Mein Kampf' was "Four and a Half Years (of Struggle) against Lies, Stupidity, and Cowardice" given by Hitler. Since the title was too long, its publisher, Max Amann shortened it to 'Mein Kampf' (My Struggle).
"I dedicate the first volume of this work to them as a common memorial, that the memory of those martyrs (who) may be a permanent source of light for the followers of our Movement." - Adolf Hitler in Mein Kampf
"Mein Kampf", an autobiography, dedicated to the martyrs who died in front of the Feldherrnhalle on 9th November 1923 and unfortunately, their common burial was refused by national officials.
Hitler wrote 'Mein Kampf' in his nine-month imprisonment, afterwards published the book in English by the name "My struggle". His development as a true patriot, spokesman demanding for Germany's independence was mentioned in its two volumes.
The first volume was published in 1925, named 'Eine Abrechnung' (A Reckoning) included Hitler's childhood, his parents, his job experience with government, then joining National Socialist German Workers' Party till the development of National Socialist German Workers' Party.
Whereas the second volume was published with a name 'Die nationalsozialistische Bewegung' (The National Socialist Movement) in 1926. It comprised Hitler's philosophy, hatred for Jews and Germany in the hands of Hitler, Hitler as a dictator, war policies, World War II etc.

About its Publication

According to German law, copyright of a book expires after 70 years of its author's death. The Bavaria state will publish 'Mein Kampf' till the copyright expires in 2015. Few people commented that it means anyone can print the book after the expiry; on the contrary, it is said that Bavaria State is going to ban the publication of the book after 2015.
As we all know, 'Mein Kampf' is a controversial autobiography due to its racial discrimination as well as Germany as an extremist to the whole world, one should consider the pros and cons of the book before publishing it for the next generation. Soon after 2015, we will get updated about next publication of the book.

Hitler's Assumptions in Mein Kampf

Hitler assumed that Germany was superior to all human culture in art, science, and technical skills. Hitler described Germans as 'Aryan race' who were blessed with creative power to control over the world. He dreamed to dominate the world just as the British Emperors did, Britishers ruled over a quarter of the world.
He was haunted by three aims that were to promote pure German Race; secondly, conspiracy theory about Jews, and thirdly, strive for Germans' victory over the Russians'.

His Love for Painting and Music

In his early childhood, Hitler was a painter, earned a living by selling his paintings; once he dreamed to become an artist. Drawing Disney characters was one of his favorite hobbies to mention. It is said that he was drawing Disney characters during World War II, nothing could stop him from his hobby.
If you are fond of paintings, then visit 'The Hitler Historical Museum' in Berlin. You can study Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist Party in detail there. This museum have lots of paintings by Hitler, where you will amaze by his oil paintings - great old buildings, floral arrangement, sketches of dogs, etc.
More than nineteen watercolors and two sketches of his were auctioned in Britain in 2000s, for a total of £118,000. Hitler was influenced by Brown House in Munich, so architectural ideas in his paintings were brought from the Brown House. He also loved the museums in Berlin.
Although habituated of spiritual loneliness, Hitler explored life's entertainment like taking tea in the afternoon with common men.
Regardless of his hatred for Jews, Hitler couldn't resist adding their music and paintings in his collection. Although it's a debatable issue for historians; many of them pointed out Hitler's interest in promoting Wagner and racially pure German music.

Nazism

Nazism, the superiority of white Germans over the democrats was established after the recession during World War I. It got expanded in hands of dictator, Adolf Hitler during 1930s. Lot of development happened in Germany. His Nazi group developed canals and airways, along with highways and railroads.
Italy's Fascism supported Nazism because of its appeal for socialism, hatred of Jews, revolt against Communism and aim to retain their loss from Western countries.
Hitler followed the conspiracy of Ford represented in 'The International Jew' that said Jews humiliated Germans. As Hitler said, "And so I believe to-day that my conduct is in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator. In standing guard against the Jew, I am defending the handiwork of the Lord."

His Foreign Policies

England

No future deal with England as it would restrict Germany's expansion in the East and West.

Third Reich or Nazism

The official name of the Nazism is "National Socialist German Workers' Party", prospered from 1933 to 1945 with several ideas and hatred about Jews. When Hitler joined the party in 1921, it established from social needs to political dominance. Soon in 1933, he became the Chancellor of Germany.

Relation with Soviet Russia

Nazi Germany made a pact of military cooperation with Soviet Russia. Germany tried to hide their product and stored weapons.
The pact was based on a negotiation that Soviet would train German army technically while Germany would provide polished military information to them. This pact was broken when Germany's Eastern Front invaded Soviet Russia in 1941 and entered into World War II.
Adolf Hitler's ideas about racism brought unhealthy competition amongst all European countries and led the world into chaos of World War II (1939 to 1945). Despite great disagreement about the ideology of Nazism from all across the world, 'Mein Kampf' is referred as a universal book of political affairs.