If Hitler was so bad, why didn't people around him just kill him? This raises the larger question of where exactly the most cruel dictators derive their power. What makes so many people follow them?

If Hitler was so bad, why didn't people around him just kill him? This raises the larger question of where exactly the most cruel dictators derive their power. What makes so many people follow them?

Because Hitler wasn’t so bad to them.

Put yourself in the shoes of an average German for a moment.

Your country lost World War I and was put at the mercy of the victors. No mercy was given. You now had to pay reparations and your military was severely restricted.[1]

Worst of all, they pinned it all on you. Germany was forced to accept the sole responsibility of war, without having been given any say in the matter.[2]

Your pride in your nation was shattered. You felt humiliated on the international stage.

Then came the Great Depression. Your life just got so much more miserable. You couldn’t feed your family. Everyone around you was suffering. The government tried to make things better. They failed each and every time. Life continued to get worse.[3]

Then came a guy.

He promised to restore the German army back to its former glory. He did just that.[4]

He promised to take back the land that was lost in the war. He did just that.[5]

He promised to abolish the shameful Treaty of Versailles. He did just that.[6]

He promised to create more jobs and help you put food on your table. He did just that.[7]

Most important of all, he gave you a sense of national identity. You can be proud of your country again.

So it’s only natural that you loved him. Not to mention, you attended one of his massive rallies and were swept by his powerful, emotional speeches.