Hitler’s Ego Costs him the War

At the beginning of World War II, Hitler and the Nazis were gaining victory after victory.  In the spring of 1940, Germany took care of Denmark and Norway (1).  With victories left and right, Hitler had a vision that he and his army was unstoppable.  The start of the downfall was his inability to defeat Britain (2).  It is very interesting that Hitler really doesn’t want to go to war against Britain because they are technically a “superior” race in Hitler’s eyes.  He would just be killing more of the people in which he wants to grow.  Hitler then looks to invade Russia which was not a very great idea on his part.  He still thinks that the German people are the superior race and they are not going to lose to the “inferior” Russians.  Another reason why he thinks the Nazis are going to defeat Russia his because of his prior victories causing his confidence to grow.  With the defeats in Russia at Stalingrad, the Germans might have some doubts to Hitler but this isn’t the case yet.  He has so much influence on the German people as the “greatest leader” that they blame the losses on the generals instead of Hitler.  It wasn’t until the end of the war until the Germans started doubting Hitler’s leadership.  In 1944 Germans attempted to assissinate Hitler which shows their resistance.  With all the negativity against Hitler which is right to say, it is really impressive how he influenced an entire nation and was able to maintain it.

1 Brose, Eric Dorn. A History of Europe in the Twentieth Century. Oxford University Press. New York. 2005. 230.

2. Brose, Eric Dorn. A History of Europe in the Twentieth Century. Oxford University Press. New York. 2005. 236