Adolf Hitler Speech: May 4th 1923

1) Reparations, “compliance,” and France’s aims

Compliance policy = failure. Meeting demands won’t save Germany because reparations exceed national wealth.

Claimed French goal: not payment but Germany’s destruction—breakup into weak mini-states via a “legal device.”

2) Power over economics

Recovery is psychological and political first: rebuild will and accept that politics is driven by power.

Calls for spiritual rearmament (nationalist re-education) before material steps.

3) Nationalism vs. internationalism

Frames choice as national or anti-national/international; says enemies inside Germany oppose national will.

If 60 million were “fanatical nationalists,” “weapons would grow out of our bare fists.”

4) Versailles & Ruhr crisis

Says passive resistance to the Ruhr occupation is meaningless without active national resistance.

Argues Germany should have torn up Versailles immediately, declaring itself free to win world sympathy (now “almost too late”).

5) Attack on Weimar leaders (Wirth, Cuno)

Criticizes both for treating a political struggle as an economic one.

Claims only nationalist forces (e.g., “steel helmet and swastika”) would actually resist.

6) Mass mobilization & symbols

If 1.5 million united, ready to sacrifice, Germany could be saved—but the government must stand behind them.

Demands restoration of imperial banners/symbols to honor sacrifice and inspire action.

7) Anti-parliamentarianism

Parliamentarians are “blabbermouths,” mediocre, recycling failures; moderation is ruinous.

In crisis, “only giants” (a strongman) can save the nation; cites Bismarck as model.

8) Dictatorship of the national will

Says Germany can be saved only by a dictatorship of national determination, not by parties or legislatures.

Government that fears a strong individual would even legislate against a “Frederick the Great.”

9) Youth as vanguard

Elevates youth—already bloodied in war—as the force to build a new state; Parliament lacks public respect, needs “protective laws.”

10) Leader cult (deferred)

Don’t hunt for a leader: either God will send him or not.

The movement’s task is to forge the sword and ready the nation for that leader.

11) End state & call to action

Tear up Versailles, rearm spiritually, unite under nationalist program, replace parliamentary weakness with decisive action.

Closing: “Awaken! The new day is dawning!”