The lesson the world learned from Hitler concerning the dangers of unchecked power should never be forgotten...as Lord Acton reminds us, “Power tends to corrupt, and absolutely power corrupts absolutely.”

Crisis and Constitution: Hitler’s Rise to Power

by Anthony B. Bradley

On Jan. 30, 1933, Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany. While he was being sworn in he said, "I will employ my strength for the welfare of the German people, protect the Constitution and laws of the German people, conscientiously discharge the duties imposed on me and conduct my affairs of office impartially and with justice to everyone.” 

Neither the German people, nor the rest of world, had any idea that this day was the beginning of an incremental concentration of power that would later lead to the death of millions of people and catalyze World War II. The lesson the world learned from Hitler concerning the dangers of unchecked power should never be forgotten.

In the week following his oath of office, Chancellor Hitler convinced German president Paul von Hindenburg to do two things: dissolve parliament and authorize the Minister of the Interior and the police to prohibit public meetings and publications that might be considered a danger to public safety. 

The conditions that made this kind of anti-democratic move possible were 

• economic depression, 
• political instability (including the threat of revolution), and 
• a widespread desire to regain national dignity following the shame of defeat in World War I.

The Nazis played on these fears and desires.

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Read more: www.acton.org