Literature
Why Hitler Delayed Kristallnacht Until 1938
Why Hitler Delayed Kristallnacht Until 1938
Hitler's decision to launch Kristallnacht in November 1938 was a strategic move that aligns with his broader political and military objectives. This enigmatic decision has puzzled historians for decades, as it required careful timing and deliberation. Was Kristallnacht a premeditated act or a spontaneous outburst? Was it a test or a message? To answer these questions, we need to explore Hitler's motivations and his interaction with the international political landscape in the years leading up to the event.
The Strategic Timing of Kristallnacht
Historians often debate whether Hitler personally directed Kristallnacht or if other leading Nazis, such as Joseph Goebbels, took the initiative. However, it is clear that Hitler did not want Kristallnacht to interfere with the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin. By delaying the campaign until late 1938, Hitler ensured that the Nazi terrorization of Jews would not negatively impact the prestige and unity of Germany during the international athletic event.
It’s important to note that Kristallnacht wasn't just a seemingly random act of violence. It was a carefully orchestrated and symbolic event. Hitler was testing the extent of German communities' commitment to the Nazification process. When German citizens allowed the pogrom to occur without intervening, Hitler took this as a sign of their compliance with his regime. This test of loyalty laid the groundwork for subsequent actions and solidified the Nazi reign of terror.
Hitler's Strategic Use of Propaganda and Political Maneuvering
Hitler was a master of psychological warfare, and his actions in leading up to Kristallnacht were part of a broader strategy to solidify his control over Germany. From 1934 to 1936, the Nazis enacted harsh anti-Semitic laws, but these were merely the prelude to the more drastic measures.
By the fall of 1938, Hitler felt his power was strong enough to proceed with Kristallnacht. This confidence derived from several factors. First, he had successfully pushed the Western democracies back over the Sudetenland annexation in 1938. This victory made him feel invincible and emboldened him to launch a more aggressive campaign against the Jewish community. Additionally, the assassination of a German diplomat by a Polish teenager provided him with a pretext to incite violence.
Precise Timing and Symbolic Meaning of November 9, 1938
The precise date of Kristallnacht, November 9, 1938, was chosen with deep symbolic meaning. Hitler had just negotiated a partial retreat by the Western democracies over the Sudetenland issue, and he felt secure enough to take another bold step. The date itself was significant as it coincided with the failed Munich putsch of 1923, an event that spelled the end of Hitler's early political career. By choosing November 9, Hitler was sending a clear message: the Western powers had failed to act in 1923, and now Germany had the upper hand. The Nazis intended to remind the world that they were in control and that they would always have the upper hand.
Racial Terror and Sippenhaft
Kristallnacht was more than just a night of violence; it was a demonstration of the racist ideology that underpinned the Nazi regime. Sippenhaft, the collective punishment of family members if a relative was found guilty, was an effective method of pre-empting any dissent. In the case of Kristallnacht, this collective punishment was expanded to racial demographics. The events of Kristallnacht paved the way for the Holocaust, marking a significant step in the systematic extermination of European Jews.
Conclusion and Further Reading
The aftermath of Kristallnacht was devastating. Approximately 100,000 Jews left Germany, taking as little of their financial assets as possible. This economic and population expropriation was part of Hitler's larger plan to achieve his goals. Further research and understanding of these events can be found in books such as Kristallnacht: Prelude to Destruction by Martin Gilbert. This work offers a detailed examination of the events leading up to and during Kristallnacht, providing valuable insights into this dark period of history.