Rhetorical Analysis Of Adolf Hitler's Inaugural Address
Adolf Hitler was a German patriot who served in the army during the outbreak of World War I. Germany’s collapse and surrender in 1918 led to Hitler’s outrage. His passion for Germany allowed him to rise to power as leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party (Nazi’s). Hitler’s methodology includes propaganda from his published book, “Mein Kampf”, which outlines his political ideology and future plans for Germany. On February 1, 1933, Hitler presented his speech “Appeal to the German People” as the new Chancellor of Germany. In this speech, Hitler intended to grasp the attention of the hopeless German citizens and offer them an optimistic solution for the future. Additionally, by calling upon the “Almighty God” in his speech, Hitler
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Hitler aims to legitimize his ideology through referencing religious rhetoric. “Since those days of treason, the Almighty has withdrawn his blessing from our nation” . In this quote, he indirectly implies that treason is a sin—sin is the act of rebellion against the sovereign God—the blessing of God cannot be present until sin (treason) is extinct in Germany. Next, Hitler aims to remind the German people the outcome of the November 1918 civil revolution. He emphasizes the tragic consequences of the civil conflict to prevent a similar revolution in the upcoming years. By declaring, “The delusion that some are the conquerors and others the conquered destroys the trust between nations and thereby also destroys the world economy” , Hitler covertly inspires his audience to envision the possibility of “equality” being reinstated in the nation by the government. Hitler intends to gain the loyalty of the “middle and artisan class” because they are the largest population; with the support of the majority, Hitler hopes to become an indispensable leader. He continues to use psychological and emotional tactics to frighten the German population of the possibility of starvation in the country. Hitler states, “If the German farmer also is involved in this collapse, we shall be faced with a catastrophe of vast proportions” , essentially reminding them of what could be their worst nightmare. Hitler continues to reiterate, “Communist methods are poisonous”, and therefore the noble Germans must avert an
Hitler aims to legitimize his ideology through referencing religious rhetoric. “Since those days of treason, the Almighty has withdrawn his blessing from our nation” . In this quote, he indirectly implies that treason is a sin—sin is the act of rebellion against the sovereign God—the blessing of God cannot be present until sin (treason) is extinct in Germany. Next, Hitler aims to remind the German people the outcome of the November 1918 civil revolution. He emphasizes the tragic consequences of the civil conflict to prevent a similar revolution in the upcoming years. By declaring, “The delusion that some are the conquerors and others the conquered destroys the trust between nations and thereby also destroys the world economy” , Hitler covertly inspires his audience to envision the possibility of “equality” being reinstated in the nation by the government. Hitler intends to gain the loyalty of the “middle and artisan class” because they are the largest population; with the support of the majority, Hitler hopes to become an indispensable leader. He continues to use psychological and emotional tactics to frighten the German population of the possibility of starvation in the country. Hitler states, “If the German farmer also is involved in this collapse, we shall be faced with a catastrophe of vast proportions” , essentially reminding them of what could be their worst nightmare. Hitler continues to reiterate, “Communist methods are poisonous”, and therefore the noble Germans must avert an