| All of that was done _after_ Hitler had assumed power and after his consolidation of power (clicky and clicky). So it didn't bring him to power - but it sure helped him strengthening his position...
Oh, and to invoke Godwin a bit further, this quote is scarily up-to-date:
"Naturally the common people don't want war. [...] But after all, it is the leaders of a country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag people along whether it is a democracy or a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. [...] Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. This is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and for exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country."
--- Hermann Goering, Hitler's Reichsmarschall, at the Nürnberg Trials after World War II. |
