How much can we learn about Nazi Germany Essay Example

only select artists for admission. According to Hitler, genuine art was associated with rural living, well-being, and the Aryan race.

It expressed the German national cultural traditions and the 'blood and soil' ethic of the German people. Hitler stated at a party day speech in 1935 that they would identify and support artists who could represent the cultural essence of the Germanic race. These artists' works would reflect the soul and ideals of the community. The Nazis considered modernist styles that had emerged in the 1920s to be degenerate and eliminated them. Max Beckman, Emile Node, and Erich Heckle were among the artists whose artworks were confiscated.

The confiscated works were either burned or exhibited in museums. Exhibitions of the modernist's works were titled as the 'chamber of horrors' or 'mirrors of the decadence of art'. 'Official' art was also displayed to emphasize the differences between degenerate art and traditionalist artists favored by Hitler, such as Die Brucke and Der Blaue. Art shows the absence of individual expression freedom that existed in the Third Reich. The entire nation was forced to view and appreciate the style that Hitler preferred.

Architecture, in turn, also mirrored this trend. It became a central pillar of Hitler's interests and was, to him, the epitome of art. 'Architecture surpasses all other arts; it exhibits the immense influence of our leader, deriving from him the greatest inspiration for innovation and exploration of new paths.' Hitler perceived himself as the guide, the instigator, and the 'master architect' of the Third Reich, envisioning its thousand-year existence as an empire destined to leave an indelible mark in history, akin to that of the Romans.

Hitler's Reich lasted for

only 12 years, showcasing the disillusionment of its grandeur. An exclusive architectural style emerged during this time, as Hitler personally selected architects to fulfill his vision for the new Germany. Jews and communists were excluded from the official chamber of architects. Hitler assembled a group of capable and flexible architects who could turn his dreams into reality, including Paul Ludwig Troost, Albert Speer, Hermann Giesler, and Fritz Trodt.

These Architects would embody the ideology of the Third Reich through 'the word in stone'. Hitler expressed his dissatisfaction in Mein Kampf regarding the absence of remarkable landmarks in German cities, which could symbolize their triumphs. He held the belief that buildings were reflections of historical periods and consequently advocated for increased funding towards architecture. The objective of Nazi architecture was not only to demonstrate the grandeur and might of the German Reich to its citizens, fostering their confidence in the nation's future, but also to leave a lasting impression on foreign visitors and future generations as a technologically advanced and influential country.

The image in question had a threatening and intimidating appearance that conveyed strength to the people of Germany. It portrayed the nation as unyielding against opposition and capable of crushing anyone who challenged Nazi ideology. 'Our enemies will guess it, but our own people must know it: new buildings are being put up to strengthen our new authority' This image demonstrated the unity of the Nazis as a strong party, under which the people were expected to conform to Hitler's absolute authority. It effectively conveyed the desired political messages to the German people.

Although the Nazis projected a facade of unity, it was merely a deceptive image

as the party itself was divided and constantly altering its vague ideology to suit Hitler's demands and preferences. A notable instance of this was Hitler assuming supreme command of the army and betraying his generals. It is also challenging to gauge the extent of the population's unity; while some complied with the regime reluctantly, others managed to form minor acts of resistance, thus contradicting Hitler's ideal of complete unity among the people.

Neo classicism, preferred by Hitler for public buildings such as courts and government houses, was chosen because it conveyed a sense of civilization and social unity. This architectural style allowed the Nazi regime to establish a powerful and focused image, ultimately contributing to their consolidation of power. The buildings themselves followed a grand and monumental format, deemed suitable for an everlasting empire. However, rather than standing as independent structures, the architecture was intended to come together and form a larger, cohesive image.

The overall image was highly impressive, with a combination of thousands of people, atmospheric lighting, and powerful symbols. Despite the Nazis' claim of creating a new architectural style, they were actually influenced by various civilizations and predecessors, along with contemporary parallels. Hitler's architecture program was notably influenced by the architecture of Periclean Athens and ancient Rome. He greatly admired Rome's coliseums and Britain's neo-gothic houses of parliament, as they represented advanced civilization.

His admiration for Britain may be poignant as he saw it as a suitable partner and hoped at the beginning of the war they would become a natural ally of Germany. The Acropolis in Athens, including buildings like the Parthenon constructed during the golden age of Athens (5th century BC) under the

rule of Pericles, can be directly compared to much Nazi architecture as Hitler wanted to draw comparisons between the Nazis and these great empires. Both of these cities are associated with power and opulence, standing for thousands of years and presenting an image that made the rest of the world open their eyes and take notice.

Hitler desired to present a specific image to both the Nazis and the rest of the world. This desire was influenced by his fascination with history, particularly the history of Paris. Hitler wanted Germany to have its own historical background, so he aimed for the nation's architecture to resemble that of the great empires from the past. As a result, he excluded the renowned architects of the 1920s and sought out architects who shared his ideologies.

Albert Speer eagerly joined the Nazi party in January 1931 after being captivated by Hitler's speech at a Berlin rally in late 1930. Recognizing Speer's remarkable efficiency and talent, Hitler appointed him as his personal architect and advisor once he assumed Chancellorship. Hence, Speer played a crucial role in molding the Third Reich. Nevertheless, due to his political naivety, he, like numerous others in Nazi Germany, succumbed to the allure of a splendid future for the new Reich prior to the onset of war.

Speer undertook numerous large-scale architectural projects, with one of the most significant being the comprehensive reconstruction of Berlin, the capital city. The aim was to create a physical manifestation of the ideals of national socialism. The focal point of the new city was a vast avenue running from south to north, designed to epitomize this vision. In 1938, Speer completed the plans

for the initial segment of Berlin's grand axis avenue, which spanned a length of 4 miles and featured 400 streetlights of his own design.

The east-west axis concept aimed to intersect the disorganized development of the frigid city. Its projected length was over 30 miles from east to west and 25 miles from north to south, serving as a grandiose hub. In 1925, Hitler's sketch depicted a monumental triumphal arch and a sizable assembly hall that embodied the ideals of the New Berlin and renewed Germany. The triumphal arch, stretching over 285 feet and reaching a height of 325 feet, casted a shadow over the Eiffel Tower while bearing the names of soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Great War.

Originally, the building was supposed to be built in a traditional way, without using reinforced concrete. Hitler thought this would keep the architecture valuable as it aged and took inspiration from the Roman model, which had influenced his past building projects. However, construction stopped abruptly when war broke out and many buildings were destroyed by allied bombing raids over the next eighteen months. It became clear after the war that rebuilding would take many decades.

This is a demonstration of the grandiose and impractical endeavors that characterized Hitler's Third Reich. The regime relentlessly pursued unachievable objectives without a well-defined strategy. An example of this is their aspiration for Autarky, aiming for self-sufficiency as a nation, which was far-fetched. Hitler's unwavering determination and refusal to settle for less played a significant role in his eventual downfall.

Although German defeat in the war was certain, Hitler chose to keep his remaining troops and engage in the Ardennes offensive, depleting all

military resources. It is clear that prioritizing winning the war should have been his main focus, but Hitler's all or nothing approach prevailed. He believed that dedicating resources to architecture was equally important, reflecting his attitude towards war and his overall personality.

The text asserts that the link between Hitler's megalomania and the absurd ideology of the Nazis provides evidence that Hitler was an inadequate leader who lived in a delusional world. In 1934, Speer presented a concept known as the 'theory of ruin value', which became significant in the design and construction of buildings during the third Reich. This theory proposed that modern architecture did not adequately embody the traditions that future generations would appreciate.

Hitler believed that rubble and rust would not effectively convey his vision of Germany's greatness the way monumental structures did for the great empires he admired. To address this, he sought to construct buildings using specific materials and principles that would retain their impressive appearance even after centuries or millennia of decay. To achieve this longevity, modern construction materials such as steel girders and reinforced concrete, which are prone to weathering, were intentionally avoided.

There was also an economic aim to minimize the use of iron, urgently needed for the armament program and constructions like shelters and bunkers. Hitler's important eternal buildings were made from natural stone without iron reinforcements, as used in the construction of great empires. Stone reflected a traditional handcrafted tradition intended to unite people. Hitler did achieve his 'theory of ruins,' but it took 12 years instead of the thousands he planned for his Reich.

Architecture played a significant role in the propagation of propaganda. Structures such

as the Zeppelin field in Nuremberg were created with the intention of providing a powerful gathering place for contemporary society. With the capacity to accommodate 500,000 individuals, the Zeppelin field became a platform for mass worship of the Nazi regime, where attendees were indoctrinated into Nazi ideology during party rallies. One part of the field featured a grand hall of honor that housed a memorial chapel, reminiscent of the pre-Nazi era Tannenberg memorial in East Prussia.

The tribune, flanked by two pylons adorned with the wreathed swastika and topped with large bronze braziers, exuded an aura of strength and authority. Positioned in the center of its pediment was a massive swastika, further accentuating the atmosphere of power. This display of symbols instilled a sense of unity and a singular ideology. It showcased the raw, unyielding force that characterized absolute power. The monumental architecture elevated the fuehrer to a larger-than-life stature, consistently placing him at the focal point and affirming his god-like presence.

This passage highlights Hitler's egotistical nature and his belief in his own divine right to govern and purify the German population. The building of Autobahns served a dual purpose of providing employment and stimulating the economy as part of the nazis' 4 year plan. The significant reduction in unemployment was celebrated as a major achievement by the Nazi regime, garnering strong support from the working class who directly benefited from the job creation.

The new autobahn network is not only the most powerful in the world in its concept, but also the most exemplary. They were a powerful symbol of political strength, willpower, and achievement of technical superiority over the rest of the world. They were,

therefore, a silent propaganda method. The autobahns significantly enhanced Germany's military capabilities as troops could be mobilized more easily and had easier access to the rest of Europe. However, they were not designed as strongly as Hitler liked to boast, as they could not carry tanks.

This was part of Germany's preparation for war, which coincided with the need for industrialization. It reveals a contradiction within the regime, as Nazi ideology aimed to establish a Volkish lifestyle rooted in pure rural Aryans. The goal was for families to live self-sufficiently on farms in the countryside, embracing a traditional idyllic rural existence. Consequently, the National Socialists rejected urban centers, viewing them as debauched and corrupted environments that welcomed all individuals.

People of different nationalities and races mixed there, a situation that Hitler despised. However, he recognized the necessity of cities for economic success and industrialization. The cities were crucial for rearmament and war preparation. To establish a rural Volkgermeinshaft Germany, acquiring Lebensraum through war was essential. Consequently, the architecture in the cities contradicted that of the countryside. While housing in rural areas was charming and traditional, the cities boasted enormous monumental public buildings.

The country village style was in harmony with the landscape and the traditional Volkish ideology. Consequently, housing became a political tool, much like other art forms, as it had to adhere to a specific style. Thus, community architecture emerged, aiming to foster a sense of well-being and authenticity. Villages were required to be well-organized and aesthetically pleasing, following a predefined blueprint. Instead of a church serving as the spiritual hub, villages featured a people's hall in the village square for gatherings. Constructing new homes in rural

areas for urban poor individuals served as a means of propaganda.

Propaganda films depicted a idyllic world of fields, meadows, and gardens for the workingman. The Nazis designed each home with a small garden as an invitation to start families and promote childbirth. This measure was also intended to bridge class divisions and foster a sense of community in tranquil environments, where devoted families would show loyalty to their homeland. However, this apparent promotion of independence was, in reality, another example of the contradictions within Nazi ideology. Rather than granting people more autonomy, it actually subjected them to stricter regimentation of their lives.

Schools were constructed as fortresses, housing groups of fearless young men who would uphold Nazi ideology and become Germany's future. Hitler recognized the significance of the German youth in sustaining the Third Reich, and thus implemented a chilling education system with the intention of shaping future generations to conform. The architectural design of these schools played a crucial role in enforcing this conformity.

The architecture implemented by Hitler aimed to fulfill his visions and address his racial problem, specifically targeting the Jews to obliterate their biological basis. The concentration camps, including Auschwitz, serve as clear evidence of Hitler's intentions. His final solution involved completely eliminating the Jewish population, whom he perceived as infecting the German race. These death camps were meticulously designed to ensure maximum efficiency in killing a large number of people. The gas chambers were carefully constructed to accommodate and effectively exterminate as many individuals as possible. These fully-equipped and secure camps left no room for any potential escape.

The camps serve as a stark illustration of calculated and heartless architecture crafted with

the goal of eliminating a whole race. They additionally serve as a disconcerting reminder of Hitler's prowess as a dictator, capable of instigating an entire nation to rise against a specific race and obliterate them without any regard for humanity. The successful use of propaganda by Hitler must have played a crucial role in manipulating such a large number of individuals to partake in the horrifying and malevolent acts that took place during the Holocaust, and architecture played a significant part in this process.

By closely examining the architecture of the third Reich, we can comprehend that Hitler implemented it to serve as a fitting backdrop for the Nazi regime, reflecting and strengthening Hitler's goals. It was merely a fraction of a larger propaganda plan aimed at ingraining Nazi ideology in the minds of all Germans. The architecture showcases numerous contradictions present in Nazi ideology and Hitler's mindset, such as the stark contrast between the grandeur of neo-classical empire and the traditional, charming vernacular Volkish style used for countryside homes.

The text implies that the Nazis did not prioritize ideology as much as they portrayed in their propaganda. It also reveals insights into Hitler's character, suggesting his lack of stability, mental instability, and obsession with power. Hitler's intense love for art engulfed him, leading him to express himself through architectural projects across Germany. This could have been a narcissistic endeavor to establish himself as both a renowned artist and a creator of a historical empire, considering his past failure in the field.

Surprisingly, Hitler's architectural design was not a result of his own creativity, skill, and style; instead, it was simply imitated from other civilizations like the

Romans. This demonstrates that he did not possess the cultured persona he presented himself as and provides proof of his delusions of grandeur. Additionally, Hitler's emphasis on the architecture program, nearly equal to winning the war, further emphasizes his insufficient leadership abilities and lack of comprehension regarding Germany's actual priorities.