14th July 2010- Introduction

Many historians perceive Adolf Hitler’s leadership of the Nazi Party to be a, “fundamental influence on the course and nature of the [Second World] war” Dic P. 538, especially after 1938 when he appointed himself as the Commander in Chief among other positions until 1945 when he committed suicide in a Berlin bunker. Initially, Hitler’s ideas including the blitzkrieg method of attack was highly successful for the Nazis with the army conquering numerous central European countries such as Poland, Norway, France and Denmark between 1939 and 1940. Hitler appointed himself as the Commander in Chief after being disappointed with the efforts of the previous commander, Field Marshal Blomberg. Moreover, with Hitler’s new title and power he was now, “totally responsible for the conduct of the war; a powerful and organised nation was at the mercy of one man’s will” Bio P 88. As a result of Hitler becoming the commander in chief, the Second World War broke out in Europe in 1939 even after he stated in 1937 that, “whoever lights the torch of war in Europe can wish for nothing but chaos” http://www.secondworldwar.co.uk/ahitler.html. Prior to the Second World War, Hitler assumed many other positions and passed laws until he was, essentially in complete control of Germany; and he used this power to build the Nazi Regime and to equip the German armed forces for battle. However, Hitler and the Nazis power began to crumble in 1942 to 1943 with the Battle of Stalingrad which saw the first major defeat of the Nazi army, which was a result of Hitler, “avoid[ing] all contact with reality” Bio P. 89, and making judgements and decisions based on idealistic views. Thus, Hitler was a very influential personality of the Second World War and initially led the Nazi Party to many successes after he appointed himself as Commander in Chief.


the first part of the introduction....hasnt been drafted yet. Excuse the referencing in there...will be done later. comments welcome...Is it too narrative???