In a speech to the party in Salzburg in 1920, Hitler is quoted to have said: "This
is the first demand we must raise and do (the reversal of the Versailles Treaty provisions): that our people be set free, that these chains be burst asunder, that Germany be once again captain of her soul and master of her destinies, together with all those who want to join Germany." He gave them new hope and confidence in the future of their country.
As a Corporal, he had been sent by the German intelligence to investigate German Worker's Party (DAP), founded in 1919 by seven members. Impressed by his brilliant speaking skill in an argument, he was invited to join the party, and became their leader soon thereafter.
Moving back to the picturesque mountainous Obersalzberg after early release from prison, he dictated his second volume of Mein Kampf at a room in Hotel Pension Moritz and later on at a cottage.
The underground bunker system constructed in the Bavarian Alps was monumental . Perched on a mountain summit was 'Eagles Nest', a daring engineering feat, with a unique teahouse and conference centre. It was his 50th Birthday present from the Nazi Party.
At the foot of the Eagle’s Nest mountain was Hitler’s residence and headquarters, the second seat of 3rd Reich power.
The whole mountainside was the very idyllic stage where many of the ideas and decisions regarding World War II were made.
Race Theories
Nazism developed several theories concerning human race. They claimed to scientifically measure the race hierarchy.
At the top was the 'Nordic race', followed by lesser races.
At the bottom were the so-called ‘parasitic’ races, or 'sub-humans', and these were designated as dangerous to society.
Bavarian Alps and Salzburg remind me how some of my friends and families had expressed their desire to be somewhere in the high mountains to escape the savage brutality that was unleashed by the invading armies.
Hitler, on the other hand, had spent much of his time in the solitude and the
safety of mountains to plan his strategies in World War II.
A tragic episode in recent global history ....
ReplyDeleteComment:
ReplyDeleteWhat can I say? Solitude can be used for good and bad. One person will be in the mountains and simply raise the food he/she needs to survive on their own. Whatever thoughts he/she has will never be known by others. Another person will become known for their wisdom by the few who by chance cross their path. Some people create a place of solitude in the midst of a bustling city - that is their mountain.
In a sense, Hitler did not seek solitude - he sought a place where he could write what was already in his mind, had long been in his mind. He did not want new thoughts - coming from interacting with others - to interfere with his already formed thoughts. Real solitude on the other hand - to my mind - is one which seeks insights.
Response: I agree with what you say, solitude is used in different ways by each person and that real solitude is where you seek insights.
One need not seek it in mountains; it is available to you anywhere, such as when one sincerely prays or meditate.