Introduction
The early 1930s proved to be a time of hardship for many countries on the globe. In 1933, two strong politicians came to rule Germany and the US. This paper aims to compare Hitler’s and Roosevelt’s inaugural speeches in order to find similarities and differences in their political courses.
Inaugural Speech by Adolph Hitler
In his inaugural speech, Hitler states that it has taken communism fourteen years to ruin Germany, and now he needs four years to restore the country. Hitler determines the direction of his policy and proclaims his major purpose as “the overcoming of the destroying menace of communism” (Berlin: Proclamation to the German nation, 1933). Therefore, Hitler tends to believe that the key cause of problems in his country is communism. He happens to claim that it intends to push Germany “into an epoch of chaos” (Berlin: Proclamation to the German nation, 1933). He concludes his stance, pointing out that the period of communism has wrecked Germany, whereas a short spell bolshevism might demolish it. Hence, Hitler aims to improve the situation in his country by attacking the existing problem issues.
Hitler realizes how high the unemployment rate in his country has been and how disastrous its outcome appears to have become. Therefore, in his inaugural speech, he expresses his inclination to address the problem from all possible angles so that “the German working class may be saved from ruin” (Berlin: Proclamation to the German nation, 1933). It is obvious that unemployment is tightly connected with the economy since it provides one of the most serious troubles for the country’s economic situation. Therefore, Hitler expects to battle unemployment in the course of his ruling. Besides, he supposes that “the conditions necessary for a revival in trade and commerce are provided” (Berlin: Proclamation to the German nation, 1933). As for Hitler’s economic course, he is willing to concentrate on “the promotion of employment, the preservation of the farmer, as well as in the exploitation of individual initiative” (Berlin: Proclamation to the German nation, 1933) so as to return prosperity to his country. Apart from that, it is important to dwell upon agriculture. In this respect, Hitler has almost the same ideas as unemployment. Hitler assumes that communism has destroyed the agricultural potential of the country. Besides, Hitler promises it could take him four years to improve the situation. When it comes to foreign policy, Hitler speculates on the mere protection of his country and finds its purpose in “the securing of the right to live and the restoration of freedom to” Germany (Berlin: Proclamation to the German nation, 1933).
Inaugural Speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt
Unlike Hitler, Roosevelt does not blame the times of Depression on his predecessors. However, he suggests almost the same ways of solving problems. When it comes to employment, he says that the government should solve the problem by helping people to get employed. As for agriculture, Roosevelt claims that the state should make “definite efforts to raise the values of agricultural products and with this the power to purchase the output” of local cities (Roosevelt, F. D. First inaugural address, 1993). He describes the economic situation in the following way: “taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen” (Roosevelt, F. D. First inaugural address, 1993). He suggests solving the problem by reducing the unemployment rate and improving the agricultural sector. As for foreign policy, Roosevelt is inclined to conduct “the policy of a good neighbor” (Roosevelt, F. D. First inaugural address, 1993).
Conclusion
In conclusion, it is necessary to point out that both Hitler and Roosevelt express their desire to put the best foot for their countries. They would like to improve the same aspects, such as reducing the unemployment rate, solving economic problems, making living conditions of common people better. As for the foreign policy, neither the Democrat nor the Dictator sounds hawkish.
References
“Berlin: Proclamation to the German nation.” (1933).
“Roosevelt, F. D. First inaugural address.” (1933). Great Books Online.