I was not sure to post my question on this section or the plot section. Since both my setting and plot are knotted hand and hand to this time period. I'm seeking a person that know the political landscape of pre-world war 2 germany. I have several questions that I can't seem to find on the vast internet. 1. Did SS or SA officers refer to Germany as the third reich before hitler took power. 2. Did loyal members of the SS or SA call hitler the Furor before he took power.
Well, I'm not an expert, but for a start, I can give you the little information I do know. Der Fuhrer (with an umlaut over the u) was Hitler's self proclaimed title, and I believe he acquired it with reference to being the head of the Nazi Party, before they came to power -- during the 1920s. So loyal Nazis would have called him that before he took power. The Nazis also came up with the term Third Reich (the First being the Roman Empire and the Second when Germany was an imperialist power in the late 1800s) to indicate a return to German glory days. I'm not sure whether they used it as some sort of campaign slogan leading up to Hitler's acquisition of power, though. There may have been talk of it in Nazi circles, but I'm not certain. A good place to check might be Mein Kampf, or perhaps a biography of Hitler -- I know there was acclaimed bio of him maybe 12 years ago or so, although I have not read it. If I recall correctly, it was just called "Hitler."
Reich means realm or kingdom. During the late 19 century Germany became known as the deutsches reich. If I remember rightly, Bismarck had a lot to do with it. The Hohenzollern empire was also called der Reich. The third reich was meant to show that the nazis had evolved from earlier powers it was used in the early twenties. I am pretty sure there was a book which refers to der dritte reich (third reich) in the early twenties. Now again, if memory serves they actually banned its use around 39. That's when they got known as the national socialist party. Bear in mind that is from my college days, so it is ou of date and I could be misremembering.
Check Out "Rise and Fall of the Third Reich" by William Shirer. I've read it twice and can guarantee you'll find your answers there. Good luck
Germany was united as a single nation in 1870s. The German Empire fought few wars against its neighbors, like France. Quite quickly Germany became an economic super power, which could be compared to Great Britain or other great empire of the era. This shocked the other countries, because Germany was a game changer, that shaked the balance between the nations. During the Imperialism Germany wasn't really a big player, but the country did get some land in Africa. Germany was dragged to WWI by Austria-Hungary, with whom Germany had an alliance. Franz-Ferdinand, an Austrian Archduke, was killed in Sarajevo, Serbia. Serbia was an ally to Russia. When Serbia didn't agree to A-H's demands, A-H declared war. Because Russia was allied with Serbia, they declared war on A-H and the other alliances between A-H and Germany, and Russia and the western Europe came into effect. After the WWI Germany's empire was replaced by the Weimar Republic, which was dissolved in 1933. Between 1918-33 were economical crises and hyperinflation. In -33 Hitler rose to power and was granted the powers of the president, prime minister and secretary of defence a bit later, I think. He gradually hacked the Treaty of Versailles to pieces and took over neighboring countries and areas, until the WWII began. And I hope you know how that ended.
At around 1600 pages, that's the fattest paperback on my shelves! Congrats on getting through it twice!
I was at my Mom's house for dinner tonight and my stepdad was asking if I have read anything interesting. After explain I don't have the time to read a book only listen to them (light bulb: going to look for "Rise and Fall" in torrent form, or my library download) I told him he could do me some research for me and read "Rise and Fall" he laught guess he knew how big it was. Then my Mom said they had a copy at the house that had been given to her, now I'm on the hunt I guess. From the looks of it, it's hard to miss.
I now have a audio copy of "Rise and Fall" (I have found out that my local library is super advanced), Thanks everyone for the heads up.
The best thing about an audio version of that book is that if you "read" it in public, you won't get dirty looks from people due to the huge swastika on the cover ;-)
Ok so this book downloaded into like 5 different MP3 files, the first one is 7 hours long. I'm about 4 hours into it, but already this book has filled in hole in my German political details I was missing. Still though Germany was F-ing crazy during this period and It's hard to keep up with all the name, players, parties, and legit government. I think I'll be listening to this for some time, while I write, while I edit, hell while I sleep. The timing was perfect, I was writing about the coup and listening aboutt he coup at the same time.
