Atheists> What is your opinion on this collection of theistic R&S wisdom?

In a speech on April 28, 1939, Adolf Hitler presented the following list of what he felt were his accomplishments: "...I overcame chaos in Germany, restored order, enormously raised production in all fields of our national economy...I succeeded in completely resettling in useful production those 7 million unemployed who so touched our hearts...I have not only politically united the German nation but also rearmed it militarily, and I have further tried to liquidate that Treaty sheet by sheet whose 448 Articles contain the vilest rape that nations and human beings have ever been expected to submit to. I have restored to the Reich the provinces grabbed from us in 1919; I have led millions of deeply unhappy Germans, who have been snatched away from us, back into the Fatherland; I have restored the thousand year old historical unity of German living space; and I have attempted to accomplish all that without shedding blood and without inflicting the sufferings of war on my people or any other. I have accomplished all this, as one who 21 years ago still an unknown worker and soldier of my people, by my own efforts..." How accurate is the German Fuehrer's assessment: 1) "I overcame chaos in Germany, restored order..." On the surface, a defensible statement.

But the fact of the matter is that much of the chaos he takes credit for overcoming was the political and terrorist activities of his own party and other political groups, as well as the debilitating labor strikes epidemic at the time. How was this accomplished? By filling concentration camps with those who still mistakenly believed that they retained basic human rights; the right to strike and the right to set prices for ones goods and services in particular.

He could quickly solve even the most intractable labor dispute by the simple expedient of jailing anyone who refused the dictates of the German Labor Front. As for political terror, all the leftists were imprisoned while the terror of the right was given state sanction, thus 'order'. 2) "...enormously raised production in all fields of our national economy...I succeeded in completely resettling in useful production those 7 million unemployed who so touched our hearts..." Almost accurate, though it was closer to 6 million.

How was this accomplished? One, by realizing more than most that expansion of the economy was initially more important than monetary stability. Secondly, by placing the brilliant Hjalmar Schacht in a position of authority over the economy.

Thirdly, by reaping the benefits of increased employment in rearmament production and vastly increased conscription levels for the military. And lastly, by instituting beneficial public works programs, such as the autobahn, that not only provided work for millions but also improved the infrastructure necessary for modern for economic expansion. As viewed in the spring of 1939, these were real achievements.

Hindsight, however, reveals the downside. While the Autobahn was indeed a model for progressive public works, it was sold to Germany’s conservative elite with emphasis on the military advantages; improved volume and flexibility during mobilization and alternate runways for aircraft; options built into the system from its conception. Indeed, on Hitler’s insistence the German economy was, to all intents and purposes, a war economy financed in the short term by financial wizardry (mefo bills).

Schacht had fallen out with Hitler in 1937 on this very issue, retaining his Presidency of the Reichsbank but losing any influence on policy. By 1939, the short-term paper was coming due and only continuing assimilation and conquest could fuel long-term growth. 3) "I have not only politically united the German nation..." He had an incredibly high approval rating with the German people in 1939, some 90 some percent.

Even considering the advantages a police state can have in boosting poll numbers the fact is that Hitler was charismatic and popular, even during times when his Party was out of favor with the Volk. 4) "...but also rearmed it militarily..." True again, though the work had been started under his predecessors. Hitler’s greatest personal accomplishment in this area was the creation of armored divisions and tank armies: A brilliant piece of innovation that, combined with rearmament and increased conscription, temporarily made Germany the strongest nation in Europe, if not the world.

The situation Germany found itself in due to Versailles (more below) became something of an advantage due to the fact that Germany was forced to create an armored ground army, a navy and an airforce from scratch. There is nothing like fielding a state of the art war machine. This is only part of my Answer.

Not enough room. The rest can be found here: http://propagander2.tripod.com/index-15....

Hitler was a great speaker and the people believed in him and he also put Germany back on its feet for a time, then the evil in him took over and World War 2 started. In my opinion I would say that Hitler was 90% evil.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.