Professional Documents
Culture Documents
A Comparison of Two Charismatic Leaders
A Comparison of Two Charismatic Leaders
Charismatic Leadership
The German sociologist Max Weber described certain leaders as having exceptional qualitiesa charismathat enabled them to motivate followers to achieve outstanding performance. Charisma is a Greek word meaning gift bestowed by the gods.
The Crisis
Both Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) and Adolf Hitler came to power in 1933, at the height of the Great Depression. The situation was desperate.
Unemployment
120 100 80 60 40 20 0 1929
- 40%
1933
Wages
US Incomes: 1932
Occupation
Factory Worker Cook Accountant Doctor
Weekly Salary*
$16.89 $15.05 $45.28 $61.11
*National Averages for 1932
Savings
$33.50 $29.00 $180.00 $488.00
US Prices: 1932-1933
The 1932-1933 Price List for Mooresville, Indiana, reveals these costs:
1 loaf of Grandmother's Quality bread: 5 cents 1 quart of milk: 25 cents 1 pound of cheese: 19 cents 1932 Price 1 pound of bananas: 15 cents List Mortgage 2-BR, 1-BA bungalow: $35 per month Payment on Chevrolet coupe: $14.09
The Situation in Germany: An Economic and Political Crisis with Low National Morale
After World War I, Germany faced a series of crises: Under the Versailles Treaty, Germany had to disarm, give up land and pay heavy reparations. The devastated country suffered from widespread unemployment, runaway inflation, and low national morale. By 1923 the mark was worth one-trillionth (0.000000000001) of its original value. The middle class, a necessity for a stable democratic government, Value of Mark was wiped out. The Weimar Republic, established in 1919, had a divided democratic Reichstag with many parties including Communists, Socialists, and Fascists. The Germans were used to a strong autocratic regime. Many feared a Communist revolution.
1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 Pre -War 1923
Unemployment
These were desperate times and they were willing to listen to anyone.
His first inaugural address restored confidence: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself In that address, he promised:
Vigorous leadership and bold action Called for discipline and cooperation Expressed his faith in democracy Asked for divine protection and guidance
Part 3 established himself as the savior of Germany: He told people: The Fuhrer is infallible and the destiny of Germany is in his hands: Germany is now awakened. We have won power in Germany. Now we must win over the German people. I know, my comrades, it must have been difficult at times, when you were desiring change which didn't come, so time and time again the appeal has to be made to continue the struggle - you mustn't act yourself, you must obey, you must give in, you must submit to this overwhelming need to obey."
Hitler_to_SA_&_SS_1.30.33.wav
How FDR Achieved His Goals: Economic Relief, Recovery, and Reform
FDR increased the size and scope of the federal government to meet the needs of the depression. He worked within the democratic political system to create new government agencies and sponsor legislation with these objectives in mind: To put people back to work To raise prices for business and agriculture To bring about permanent economic reform
How FDR Achieved His Goals: Economic Relief, Recovery, and Reform
Examples of New Deal legislation to bring about recovery and relief:
National Recovery Act - for the recovery of industry (created a partnership of business, labor, and govt to attack the depression with such measures as price controls, high wages, codes of fair competition) First Agricultural Adjustment Act for the recovery of agriculture (paid farmers who agreed to reduce production of basic crops such as cotton, wheat, tobacco, hogs, and corn; money came from a tax on processors such as flour millers and meat packers who passed the cost on to the consumer) Federal Emergency Relief Admin. relief (gave money to states and municipalities so they could distribute money, clothing, and food to the unemployed) Civilian Conservation Corp. relief (gave outdoor work to unemployed men between the ages of 17 and 29; they received $30 per month, but $22 were back to the family
How FDR Achieved His Goals: Economic Relief, Recovery, and Reform
Examples of New Deal legislation to bring about permanents reform:
Social Security Act (gave money to states for aid to dependent children, established unemployment insurance through payroll deduction, set up old-age pensions for retirees) National Labor Relations Act (put restraints on employers and set up a National Labor Relations Board) Second Agricultural Adjustment Act (paid farmers for conservation practices, but only if they restricted production of staple crops) U.S. Housing Authority (used federal funds to tear down slums and construct better housing)
How Hitler Achieved His Goals: Power, Economic Recovery, German Superiority
On the international scene, Hitler embarked on a series of high-risk adventures to achieve superiority: He renounced the Treaty of Versailles He occupied the Saar Land, annexed Austria, and dismembered Czechoslovakia. This improved the national morale and made Hitler very popular but caused problems: The 45 billion marks spent on rearmament tripled the amount of money in circulation and caused inflation. There were not enough goods and services available to satisfy the demand caused by the increased supply of money. Facing a collapse of the economy, Hitler embarked on new international adventures: Poland, France, and Russia precipitating World War II.
I never forget that I live in a house owned by all the American people and that I have been given their trust.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Loss of lives:
Over 7 million Germans lost their lives during World War II: 3,250,000 military casualties, 3,810,000 civilian casualties. Hitler was largely responsible for the 56 million lives lost by all nations during World War II The Holocaust: 6 million Jews (2/3 of the Jewish population of Europe) lost their lives.
We shall not capitulate... no never. We may be destroyed, but if we are, we shall drag a world with us... a world in flames.
Adolf Hitler