On account of its form of government then, this State could certainly not be the cause of the war waged by the democracies against the Reich as it was then. The German form of government, certainly, could not have been the cause of that war, for Germany was a democracy already-and what a democracy! Strictly copied from the western countries, it was compromise between monarchy and parliamentary leadership. The cause, therefore, could not be due to the failure or to the will of individuals.

Neither on the German nor on the other side were there personalities cast in an unusual mould. In moments of so great importance in contemporary history, individuals can play a significant part only if they enter the scene as really outstanding personalities. Ordered by the present President Roosevelt, American scholars have investigated the cause of the World War and made sure that there could be no German guilt. What was the cause of the World War? I do not want to explain it from the personal aspect, about which so many treatises have been written. For these reasons it is particularly important on a day like this to think back to the course of that entire national misfortune. On the other hand, this situation was only the result of the World War: of the outcome of the World War, of our own internal, political, moral, and military collapse. For during a period of 15 years, events had moved downwards without respite. Unless the German nation could be saved, by a miracle, the situation was bound to end in disaster. We were given power in circumstances of the greatest conceivable pressure, the pressure of the knowledge that, by itself, everything was lost, and that, in the eyes of the noblest minds, this represented a last attempt, while in the eyes of evil-wishers it should condemn the National-Socialist Movement to final failure. We were called upon to take over the leadership of the nation at a moment when it did not seem to develop towards a great rise.

At that time the situation of the Reich was desperate. It is certain, however, that never was a change of Government attended with such far-reaching results as that eight years ago.

My German countrymen, men and women, (long pause) Changes of Government have occurred frequently in history, and in the history of our people. Adolf Hitler: Table of Contents| Biography| Timeline of Life

My new order hitler