Essay Adolf Hitler: The Power of Rhetoric

For Hitler, the communication gap and differences within the government deterred his followers from creating a solid opposition to his power. Mommsen stated, “The movement’s energies had to become totally absorbed in internal ‘disputes over areas of competency…’” (171). Another advantage Hitler had when dealing with people was his charisma. He was “uniquely talented in being able to change the minds” of officials who started to doubt the Hitler’s wisdom. Hitler had a habit of tirelessly trying to convince nonbelievers by persuasion. His behavior had people feeling that he was determined and had a sense of purpose. Along with Goebbels as Propaganda Minister, Hitler had the “fate of the nation” in him and Germany had never seen a leader like him (165). Hitler had “come to symbolize the unity and substance of the nation” (167). When complaints arose about the party and the Nazi regime, Hitler was exempt from them and citizens thought that if he only knew what was happening, then he would change it.

Monster, killer of the innocent, madman, bully, lunatic, and devil. A justification for a good God not allowing all people into heaven. The name Adolf Hitler evokes repulsion, distrust, and anger all over the world. Yet this man persuaded an entire population to follow him into the carnage of World War II. Hitler’s speech before the German parliament, the Reichstag, on February 20, 1938, explains why so many Germans were enthralled by this leader. Displaying the qualities of the most persuasive rhetoricians, Hitler uses logos to builds his arguments, pathos to direct the emotions of his audience, and ethos to strengthen and confirm each word he utters. These rhetorical strategies are carefully

The president uses gestures, facial expressions, and various tones to make his speech effective in

Hitler was superb at convincing people to believe everything he said. He promised the people a roast in every pot, security, and many more things. By promising the people security that meant that he would keep them all safe and that he can do a better job than anyone else. Adolf Hitler increased in support from bankers and industrialists. So, pretty

Hitler utilized labelling to essentially create trigger words for the audience, to further provoke them into associating the relevant group with the traits related to that label. This allowed him to maintain the support and attention of his audience, and showed the level of command he had over his audience as he could evoke certain feelings, and promote certain ideas about groups based simply on the use of certain labelling words. These words added to Hitler’s tactics of persuasion by creating word association. When referring to Germany, he used words that conveyed strength. When speaking about enemy nations or about Jews and Marxists, he used words that alluded to weakness. One of his most used labels, pacifist, was used to refer to anyone and everyone that he disagreed with.

Hitler had the ability to move crowds with his speeches for good or bad his speeches where never forgotten by the public. During the great depression Hitler was able to rise to power through the neediness of the people of Germany but also due to his mesmerising speeches.

Hitler was in many ways a great leader and his influence on the German people was immense; he used his motivational and powerful speaking abilities to gain support and popularity. Hitler knew how to appeal to people's baser instincts and made use of their fears and insecurities. He could do that,

His advanced ability to deliver a persuasive speech and his use of propaganda made Hitler a favorable leader in the public eye. He created rally grounds to boost the Nazi morale. His trademark, the infamous swastika was a well-known symbol placed everywhere in Germany to remind the public who was in charge. Having to hail to Hitler every time a person passed the Feldherrnhalle wall and were found in Hitler’s presence was a show of propaganda that was the same as brainwashing. In old videos of speeches you see citizens or soldiers with their hand up, this was the salute to Hitler. The Nazis constructed stone buildings and death camps and walls that made Germany look much more intimidating. Hitler was able to put a new sense of German

Almost everyone is guilty of adding a little fluff to a statement or claim in order to make it more believable or agreeable. Take this same situation presented twice, using a different approach each time. Wife says to husband, “We need to talk” (Imagine her arms folded, jaw slightly extended forward in an assertive manner). How willingly do you think the husband will be to give her 100% of his attention and be in good spirits about it? Instead imagine the situation approached like this: Wife says, “Husband, there is something I need your help with” (one hand outstretched to hold his, a smile on her face instead of a glare). Hitler knew how to use power words, how to sell himself like a used car salesman in order to win favor and even how to present a boldfaced lie and have it believed. When favor wasn’t granted, intimidation was his fallback plan. In a Reichstag speech on April 28, 1939 Hitler

Hitler saw the people of Germany as impressionable and easily swayed. He used propaganda to

He was years ahead of his time as a communicator and he sent his message to millions as he travelled by aeroplane all over Germany. Hitler was magnificent at building up anticipation and expectation. He would keep crowds waiting and then remain silent for about a minute once he arrived on the podium. He would begin quietly and slowly and then burst into full charge as he stirred up the nationalist emotions in the crowd. He was vague so that he could not be held to promises and drilled in the same points.

Following the war he lived in war-torn Germany and attended many political gatherings. The turning point of Hitler's mesmerizing oratorical career occurred at a Nazi party meeting held on October 16, 1919. Hitler's emotional delivery of an impromptu speech captivated his audience. Through word of mouth, donations poured into the party's coffers, and subsequent mass meetings attracted hundreds of Germans eager to hear the young, forceful and hypnotic leader. With the assistance of party staff, Hitler drafted a party program consisting of twenty-five points. This platform was presented at a public meeting on February 24, 1920, with over 2,000 eager participants. After hecklers were forcibly removed by Hitler supporters armed with rubber truncheons and whips, Hitler electrified the audience with his masterful demagoguery.

Hitler was a very passionate speaker that was incredibly adept to connecting to his audience in order to influence or persuade. The people he was speaking to would feel his passion. His charisma for speaking combined with the weak structure of Germany at the time made him influential beyond any other. He had the combined skills of an actor and a politician, “he could talk well and he had the actor’s gift of mimicry to amuse his companions. (Green, 2001, pg. 12), and everything he said and did had a calculated

It was clear that he was passionate towards his beliefs and sayings which encouraged people to follow him due to the fact that he seems convincing. Hitler also related his speech to his followers and made it seem as if his reign of authority is to better his people rather than his selfish desires. The dialect and tone used sends out an inspirational theme full of charisma, where he promised his people change to fulfill a better nation. It is essential for an effective leader to start off with effective and prominent words in order to lure in and attract followers. Thus, a transformational leader must achieve process by injecting enthusiasm within their words – all of which Hitler has successfully achieved.

Throughout the course of time there have been many world renowned orators, that have forever changed history. The power to speak and captivate an audience is a gift that not many possess. There are have been numerous leaders throughout the world that have achieved this gift and have put it to use. There have been both positive and negative outcomes of public speaking by famous leaders. Whether it was African-American civil rights leader, Martin Luther King Jr., changing the world and the views of people for the better with his “I Have A Dream” speech, or German dictator, Adolf Hitler, pushing his anti-semitic views through his Nazi speeches, people listened. People will always listen to these speeches and take away something different