A A Comparison Comparison

of Two of Two Charismatic Charismatic

LeadersLeaders

Charismatic Leadership

• The German sociologist Max Weber described certain leaders as having exceptional qualities—a charisma—that enabled them to motivate followers to achieve outstanding performance. Charisma is a Greek word meaning “gift bestowed by the gods.”

Requirements forCharismatic Leadership

• Four conditions give rise to charismatic leadership:

1. A crisis situation

2. Potential followers in distress

3. An aspiring leader

4. A doctrine promising deliverance.

A Blessing and a Curse

• "Charisma is a tricky thing. Jack Kennedy oozed it—but so did Hitler and Charles Manson. Con artists, charlatans, and megalomaniacs can make it their instrument as effectively as the best CEO's entertainers, and presidents. Used wisely, it's a blessing; indulged, it can be a curse. Charismatic visionaries lead people ahead—and sometimes astray." Fortune, January 15, 1996

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.

The Situation in the United States: An Economic Crisis

• Unemployment was at 25% (i.e., 2,830,000 people were unemployed).

• Wages for those who retained their jobs fell almost 43% between 1929 and 1933.

• Farm prices fell dramatically. Many farm families lost their homes or went hungry.

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- 40%

Unemployment

Wages

US Incomes: 1932

Occupation Weekly Salary* Savings

Factory Worker $16.89 $33.50

Cook $15.05 $29.00

Accountant $45.28 $180.00

Doctor $61.11 $488.00  

*National Averages for 1932

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

• 1 pound of bananas: 15 cents

• Mortgage 2-BR, 1-BA bungalow: $35 per month

• Payment on Chevrolet coupe: $14.09

19321932Price Price ListList

19321932Price Price ListList

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 worthone-trillionth (0.000000000001) of its original value.

• The middle class, a necessity for a stable democratic government, 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.

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Pre-War 1923

Value of Mark

Decline in German Incomes

• Companies throughout Germany went bankrupt.

• Millions of workers were laid off, affecting nearly every German family.

• Unemployment increased from 650,000 in 1928 to 6,100,000 in 1933 (25 % of the workforce):

• 1928: 650,000 1929: 1,320,000 1930: 3,000,000 1931: 4,350,000 1932: 5,102,000 1933: 6,100,000

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1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933

Unemployment

German Political Disunity

• The crisis of the Great Depression brought political disunity to Germany. • Members of the Reichstag could

not get together to enact desperately needed legislation.

• It broke up into squabbling, uncompromising groups and was finally dissolved in July 1930.

• There was a call for new elections. This gave Adolf Hitler his chance.

The Way is Clear• The German people were tired of

all of these things:• The political squabbling• The misery and the suffering of the

Great Depression• The weakness exhibited by the

democratic Weimar Republic

• These were desperate times and they were willing to listen to anyone.

How FDR Restored Hope• FDR was perceived as a man of action

(promised a “new deal for the American people”)• His predecessor Herbert Hoover was

viewed as a “do-nothing president” and attacked the Democrats as dangerous radicals.

• Norman Thomas, the Socialist candidate, was viewed as a radical alternative. He advocated government ownership of the means of production.

• Results of election of 1932: a landslide for Democrats and a mandate to use the government as an agency for human welfare.

How FDR Restored Hope• FDR had a solution to the desperate

situation the country was in when he entered office in March, 1933:• Country was virtually leaderless• Banking system had collapsed.

• 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

How FDR Restored Hope• FDR had personal qualities that

made him an effective leader:• He was a practical politician (practiced

the art of the possible)

• He genuinely liked people (exhibited a warmth and understanding of people)

• He knew how to handle the press (focused attention on Washington)

• He provided dynamic leadership in a time of crisis (1st week: special session of Congress, bank holiday, Emergency Banking Act, 1st fireside chat)

• He was willing to experiment

How Hitler Restored Hope• Hitler used his strong nationalistic

convictions and oratory skills to deliver a simple 3-part message.

• Part 1 involved finding scapegoats. (This made people feel in control. If they know the reason for the desperate situation they are in, they can do something about it.) He told them:

• Germany did not loose the war but was stabbed in the back by the Jewish and socialist traitors.

• The Versailles Treaty imposed by the Allies was the root of all evil and had to be denounced.

• The Jewish capitalists and the Jewish communists are the mortal enemies of the German people.

How Hitler Restored Hope• Part 2 gave the German people

confidence in their ability to succeed. He told them:

• The Germans are a superior race destined to rule the World: "In ourselves alone lies the future of the German people. Only when we ourselves raise up our German people, though our own labor, our own industry, our own determination, our own daring and our own perseverance, only then shall we rise again." Hitler_021033_03.wav

How Hitler Restored Hope• 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

• 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 gov’t 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: EconomicRelief, 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 FDR Achieved His Goals: Economic Relief, Recovery, and Reform

How Hitler Achieved His Goals: Power, Economic Recovery, German Superiority

• Immediately after becoming Germany's Chancellor in 1933, Hitler started an extensive process of consolidating his power:• The Reichstag Fire: On February 27, the Nazis created a crisis by setting

the Reichstag on fire and blaming it on the Communists. • Suspension of Civil Liberties: The next day Hitler persuaded President

Hindenburg to suspend civil liberties to deal with the crisis.• The Enabling Act: Two weeks later, Hitler requested the Reichstag to

temporarily delegate its powers to him so that he could adequately deal with the crisis. The “Enabling Act” made Hitler dictator of Germany, freed of all legislative and constitutional constraints.

• Control of the Judiciary: The Nazis gained control of the judiciary when they transferred jurisdiction over treason cases from the Supreme Court to a new People’s Court controlled by the Nazi party.

• The New Order: On August 2, 1934, Hindenburg died, and the title of president was abolished. Hitler’s title became Fuehrer and Reich Chancellor.

• At home, Hitler achieved economic recovery with rearmament and public works projects related to the military:• An extensive highway system (the

autobahn)• Extension of the Navy and Air

Force• An increase in the size of the army

to 500,000• Compulsory service in the Labor

Corp (which reduced unemployment).

• As the world depression receded, high government expenditures wiped out unemployment.

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.

How Hitler Achieved His Goals: Power, Economic Recovery, German Superiority

How FDR Handled Opposition• By 1935, political disunity was evident

(critics on right and left)• Criticisms of Conservative Opponents of

the New Deal (ND went too far)• It was socialism (ND was destroying the

“American system” of individualism)

• It added to the national debt (money thrown away on relief, encouraged idleness, $35 billion debt)

• It violated the constitution (ND legislation unconstitutional, states rights violated)

• It increased the power of the Presidency (FDR was reaching toward dictatorship, Congress a rubber stamp, independence of judiciary threatened, separation of powers shattered)

• Organization: American Liberty League had money but small in numbers, so FDR not worried

How FDR Handled Opposition• Criticisms of Radical Opponents of the New Deal (ND didn’t go

far enough)• Sen Huey Long (LA): ND relief measures mere crumbs, advocated a share

the wealth plan (guaranteed annual income of at least $5,000 by confiscating wealth over $5 million)

• Fr. Charles E. Coughlin: a rabble-rousing radio priest from Detroit, broadcasts called “Golden Hour of the Little Flower,” said there was an international bankers conspiracy and Jews were responsible, advocated nationalization of banking and currency and national resources, and demanded a “living wage.”

• Dr. Francis E. Townsend: an elderly physician from CA, had a plan whereby the federal government would pay $200 per month to unemployed people over 60, program would be financed by a 2% national sales tax, each pensioner would be required to spend the money in 30 days (this would stimulate the economy)

• These people were demagogues (rabble-rousers) and had popular followings, so FDR was concerned.

How FDR Handled Opposition• FDR used the democratic political

system and sponsored moderate legislation to silence radical opposition:• Revenue Act of 1935 – Response to

Huey Long. Increased taxes on large incomes and corporations.

• Banking Act of 1935 – Response to Coughlin. Extended federal control over private banking practices.

• Social Security Act of 1935 – Response to Townsend. Included provisions for unemployables (dependent children, the handicapped, the blind), unemployment insurance, and old-age pensions.

How Hitler Handled Opposition• Propaganda: Hitler tried to gain

cooperation first and foremost by using propaganda (see PPT on Nazi Propaganda): “The effective propagandist must be a master of the art of speech, of writing, of journalism, of the poster, and of the leaflet. He must have the gift to use the major methods of influencing public opinion such as the press, film and radio to serve his ideas and goals, above all in an age of advancing technology. . .   It may be good to have power based on weapons. It is better and longer lasting, however, to win and hold the heart of a nation.” -- Joseph Goebbels 1934

How Hitler Handled Opposition• Terrorist Tactics: The Nazis also used terrorism to achieve their goals:

• The SA: The Nazis created a party organization called the Sturmabteilungen (SA). It was a semi-military voluntary group of young men trained for and committed to the use of violence to control the streets.

• Rollkommandos: The Nazis used physical violence and terror to break up meetings of political opponents, and to suppress opposition in their own meetings. The Rollkommandos were a group organized by Goebels to interrupt meetings, make noise, and unnerve the speaker. They also used raids, resulting in fights, during which furniture was destroyed and a number of persons hurt. The Nazis armed themselves with blackjacks, brass knuckles, rubber truncheons, walking sticks, and beer bottles.

• The Gestapo: The Gestapo was part of the SS (Schutzstaffel), Hitler's elite paramilitary corps. They constituted the Secret Police and

• Einsatzgruppen (Task Force) became an integral part of the Gestapo. It was the Task Force's job to round up all the Jews and other "undesirables" living within Germany's newly conquered territories, and to either send them to concentration camps or put them to death.

• The army units within the Gestapo were taught many torture techniques, and were also taught many of the practices that German doctors in Dachau tested on the inmates of concentration camps. The Gestapo, during its tenure, operated without any restrictions by civil authority, meaning that its members could not be tried for any of their police practices. This unconditional authority added an elitist element to the Gestapo; its members knew that whatever actions they took, no consequences would arise.

The Outcome: FDR’s New Deal• Physical and human rehabilitation of country

• Attacked soil erosion

• Built dams and planted trees to prevent floods

• Reclaimed the grasslands of the Great Plains

• Developed water power resources

• Encouraged regional reconstruction projects like the TVA and Columbia River project

• Established the principle that government has responsibility for the health, welfare, and security, as well as the protection and education of its citizens

• Embraced social security, public health, housing

• Entered the domain of agriculture and labor

• Revitalization of politics and extension of democracy• Strengthened executive branch

• Reasserted presidential leadership

• Revitalized political party as a vehicle for the popular will and as an instrument for effective action.

• Redefined democracy: came to mean more than just a form of government (rule by the people, political rights for the individual). It now defined a way of life in which economic security and social justice were just as important as political rights.

• Maintenance of a democratic system of government and society in a world threatened by totalitarianism.• Increased size and scope of government to meet needs of the depression

• Provided the leadership that enabled Congress to put through the necessary relief, recovery, and reform measures.

• Sponsored moderate legislation to neutralize the popularity of radical opponents

• Redefined the concept of democracy so that it included not only political rights but economic security and social justice as well.

• “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

The Outcome: Hitler’s New World Order• Total destruction of the German nation (it was defeated in

World War II and occupied by France, Great Britain, the United States, and the Soviet Union).• The city of Berlin (divided between the Soviet Union and the

West) became a pawn in the Cold War• The Berlin Wall dividing East and West Berlin, erected by the

Soviet Union to protect its interests, did not come down until 1989.

• 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