Documentary- "The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich"

"The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" provides a great overview of how and why the German people gave their undying loyalty and support for Adolf Hitler.

Taking a look back on the start of Hitler's interest in a political career, the seeds of discontent with the German democracy began with the German capitulation in World War I in November of 1918.  Many German soldiers felt they had been set to win the war had it not been for the Jewish civilian leaders and the Marxists back on the home front calling for a cease fire.  The loss of the war was a huge blow to the German people in terms of national pride of country as well as the financial cost associated with war reparations assessed on the German government.  The Treaty of Versailles deprived Germany of land, forced the demilitarization of the Rhineland, and most insulting to the German people was that they had to assume blame for World War I.  It is important to note the limitations placed on the size of German armed forces: A maximum of 6 battleships, no submarines, no air force, a maximum of 100,000 military men without conscription and absolutely no armored vehicles.  Taking the humiliation, the reformation of Poland, the war reparations and the demilitarization and a crippled economy all into consideration, the conditions were ripe for the masses of disgruntled and unemployed citizens to look for new leadership of the country.  This atmosphere also created the perfect recruiting grounds for German citizens to rise up and willingly help to form a new party and a new army.

In 1919, Hitler was actually recruited to act as a police spy of an Intelligence Commando of the Reichwehr to influence soldiers and infiltrate a small party of 54 members called the German Worker's Party (DAP).  It was the overt touting of antisemitic, nationalist, anti-marxist, and anti-capitalist ideas that impressed Hitler immensely.  The party was very much in favor of creating a powerful new government that was founded on the philosophy of a "non-Jewish" version of socialism.  It was at these meetings that Hitler found his voice and his gift for the powerful oratory that quickly impressed the leader of the DAP and lead to his invitation to join the party.  Hitler was further schooled in perfecting the art of his oratory skills by Deitrich Eckart.  Eckart also helped pave the way for Hitler through the many connections he had and the people of importance that would prove valuable in the formation of the new party, called the National Socialist German Worker's Party or Nazi Party.