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Read through the eye-witness
accounts of Hitler's speechmaking given by Kurt Ludecke (Source B4), Karl
Zuckmayer (Source B5), Luise Solmitz (Source B10) and Albert Speer (Source
B11) and consider the following questions:
a) Three of the four witnesses
mention the 'hypnotic' effect of Hitler's speeches. Suggest what they mean
by 'hypnotic' and explain how Adclf Hitler managed to 'hypnotise' his
audience. Select extracts from the four sources (B4, B5, B10, B11) to
support your answer.
b) Kurt Ludecke (B4) described the
experience of listening 'to Hitler as 'a religious conversion'. Select
words and phrases from Ludecke account which underline this comparison
with religious experience. 'How does Luise Solmitz's account (B10) support
Ludecke's view of Hitler's appeal as 'religious'?
c) The speeches made by Hitler
described in sources B4, B5, B1': and 311 were given in front of audiences
made up of hundreds and sometimes thousands of people. How would the size
of the audience affect the impact of Hitler's speeches? (SEE PICTURE
SOURCE B9)
d) Explain, in your own words, the
appeal Hitler had for a large section of the German people. What would be
Hitler's appeal to a) an unemployed worker b) an ex soldier?
e) What section of the German
population would you expect to oppose the plans of Hitler and the Nazi
Party?
f) Observers have remarked that
Hitler's speeches appealed to the emotions rather than the intellect of
his audience. Read through the extracts of Hitler's speeches contained in
sources B1, B2, B7 and B8 on pages 4 and 6 of the book. To which emotions
is Hitler appealing?
g) Now read through the reactions
of Kurt Ludecke (Source B.G), Karl Zuckmayer (B5) on page 5 and Luise
Solmitz (B10) and Albert Speer ?11.' on page 7. In your view which of the
4 listeners is i) the most hostile towards Hitler ii) the most admiring
towards Hitler iii) the most apologetic about the influence of Hitler's-
speech iv) the most reliable as evidence of Hitler's skills as an orator
(speech maker) Support your choices with extracts from the sources.
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