BLUF

In the period between WW1 and 2, the Nazis used "the politics of legality" to gain absolute power. German democracy was used to destroy democracy in Germany.

Summary

Christopher R Browning writing in the Atlantic, makes the following points:
  • Hitler's Big Lie said that Germany hadn't been defeated in battle but was betrayed by Socialists and a worldwide conspiracy led by Jews.
  • The reality was that the German WW1 1918 spring offensive was a gamble that failed.
  • Germany suffered a military defeat during WW1 because its army collapsed.
  • Hitler launched a failed coup but used his trial to promote the NAZI party.
  • Hitler was eventually invited to become German Chancellor by politicians who felt they could control him—they were wrong.

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