Why Was Hitler So Proud to Be German When He Wasn’t Even German?

Adolf Hitler, the controversial figure at the helm of the Nazi regime, was known for his pan-German ideology, which led him to champion the unification of all ethnic Germans under one banner. Despite his Austrian birth, Hitler was deeply attached to Germany and felt a strong affiliation with the German identity. This essay explores Hitler's relation to his German identity and delves into the cultural and political context that influenced his views.

Introduction to Hitler’s Identity and Pan-German Sentiment

Hitler's Austrian birth was often misconstrued, leading many to incorrectly believe that his identity clashed with his German affiliation. In reality, the shared language, culture, and customs between Germany and Austria played a significant role in shaping his ideological views. Hitler was an ardent supporter of the pan-German movement, which aimed to unite all ethnic Germans under a single nation.

The Pan-German Movement and Hitler’s Background

Like many other German-speaking individuals at the time, Hitler grew up in an environment where the pan-German sentiment was prevalent. However, his views on identity and nationality were more complex than those of the average German-speaking individual. He detested the polyglot quality of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, which governed numerous different religions and nationalities. This preference for a more purely Germanic identity led him to take action to align himself with the German state.

Becoming a Part of Germany

Hitler moved to Germany and joined the German army in World War I, eventually obtaining German citizenship. His move was not just a geographical one but a significant step towards aligning his identity with the German state. This transition was crucial in establishing Hitler's self-identification as a German rather than an Austrian.

Cultural and Political Context

Hitler's identity was also shaped by the political and cultural context of his time. Germany was not unified until 1871, and many ethnic Germans were left out of the new nation, including those in Austria. Born in 1889, Hitler was one of these ethnic Germans who felt excluded from the new German state. During his formative years, pan-Germanism in the Austro-Hungarian Empire was a significant cultural and political force.

Cultivating a German Identity

Hitler grew up with the idea that he was German first and that the new German state should expand to include many ethnic Germans like himself, including those in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He viewed the Austro-Hungarian Empire as corrupted, seeing it as a place that needed to accommodate numerous non-German minorities. Hitler's preference for a more ethnic and culturally homogeneous German state was evident in his policies and ideology.

Conclusion

Contrary to popular belief, Hitler's identification with Germany was rooted in a deep sense of cultural and political affinity. While his identity was indelibly marked by his Austrian birth, his attachment to Germany was more about his shared culture, language, and the pan-German sentiment that shaped his political and social views. This essay provides a nuanced understanding of Hitler's complex identity and the factors that influenced his deification of the German state.

References and Further Reading

For a deeper understanding of the pan-German movement and the history of Austrian-German identity, refer to the following sources:

A. Jon Mayness, The Habsburg Monarchy and the Myth of Nationhood: Nationalism in Liberal Austria, 1848-1918 Rudolf J. Siebert, The Myth of the "Southern Germans": Identity and Repression in Pre- and Early Modern Bavaria and Upper Austria Bernhard Kuhn, Imperial Identities: Germans and the Habsburg Monarchy, 1848-1918

Keywords: Hitler, Pan-German, Nazi Germany, Ethnic German, Germany