1938–1945: Cult of Personality in Nazi Germany

By 1933 Adolf Hitler had earned the position of undisputed leader of the Nazi Party. From this point onward, he could singlehandedly dictate the party line. State, party and society were entirely oriented toward him as „Führer“ (leader). The Nazi Party adopted this cult-like veneration of a “Führer” from Italian fascism. The Propaganda Ministry led by Joseph Goebbels was to reinforce the image of the “Führer of the nation” to the population. In order to achieve that, he used modern media to manipulate the public. Additionally, Nazi organisations motivated the population to venerate Hitler. The “Heil Hitler” salute was omnipresent and the cult of personality became part of everyday life. The veneration of Hitler also took on religious traits: the “Führer” was depicted as “superhuman”, driven by “divine providence” (divine destiny to rule). Territorial gains and military successes at the start of the war supported the cult. From 1943, however, the failure of the German Reich became apparent. Although this dampened the mood, fanatical worship nevertheless persisted until the downfall of Nazi rule. Following the end of Nazi rule, many perpetrators and accomplices laid their guilt on the “Führer”. They excused crimes with the mostly false claim that they had only carried out Hitler’s orders or had been helpless at the mercy of his “magic”.

Discover more in the digital exhibition Europe of Dictatorships