Adolf+Hitler+and+Machiavelli

Imad Pasha

//**Analyze the extent to which Adolf Hitler was a "Machiavellian" Ruler.**//

Characteristics of a ruler by Machiavelli:
 * 1) Qualities of both the fox and the lion- strong but able to see bad situations.
 * 2) Maintain absolute power by any means necessary.
 * 3) Remove threats to power
 * 4) Be feared, and loved by the people you rule.
 * 5) Use cruelty, but wisely, to shock an invaded nation.
 * 6) Appeal to the people by appearing to have good qualities that you don't necessarily have.
 * 7) A prince should never join into an aggressive alliance with someone more power than himself.
 * 8) For the survival of the state it is sometimes needed for a prince to break his word, though he should maintain the //image// of being honorable.

Hitler's actions that make him Machiavellian.
 * 1) Came to power through a mix of awe inspiring speeches, and intimidation of other parties.
 * 2) Appealed to the nationalism of the German people, and their pride.
 * 3) Used the blitzkrieg, or lightning war tactic to shock and quickly defeat enemies.
 * 4) Removed any officer or general he felt was being disloyal to him or untrustworthy.
 * 5) Named himself commander and chief of military forces (though he wasn't a strategist, it kept power of the army to him).
 * 6) Forced all military officers to swear an oath to HIM, not Germany.
 * 7) Formed the Hitler Youth to indoctrinate the mass of the young with his rule.
 * 8) Used sneaky tactics of maneuvering before the war, testing the limits of western appeasement, and putting all of the pieces in place without being stopped.
 * 9) Was willing to use harsh tactics, like bombing civilian London, to achieve his goals.
 * 10) Hitler made alliances with Italy and Japan- who he could control.
 * 11) Hitler made many promises to the German people that he did not keep, but he managed to make the people believe he was working towards them.

Sources:

Beevor, Antony. //Stalingrad//. New York: Penguin Books, 1999. Print Machiavelli, Niccolo. //The Prince//. New York: Penguin Books, 2003. Print.