5 Hidden Facts about Hitler

It is indeed very interesting to note, how we form an opinion about famous personalities in the world. All of us tend to have preconceived notions about certain people, based on our social scenarios, prejudices and limited knowledge. It is either because of how he/she is portrayed by people over the years or the way only certain attributes are highlighted, hiding all other possible facts about them.

Strange as it may sound but most of the renowned people in the world remain mysteries to us. Despite the bulk of knowledge and autobiographies available on the historical heroes, one can’t help but wonder whether there is more information one can un-earth? Whether the available data is even true or not?

Adolf Hitler, a man whose name has become synonymous with cruelty, perhaps held a humane side to him. Perhaps a person, who has been known just for his headstrong revulsion, maybe had a background to justify his deeds. Let’s discover some of the hidden facts about him.

Hitler’s faith

As many views as are available all over the world about Adolf Hitler, that he held fast to Atheism, Humanism or a number of olden Nordic pagan folklore. Actually all of these held no truth in them. Since many American manuscripts, television documentaries, and sermons sermonized of Hitler’s “immorality”, but one can only judge him by his own writings and read to understand that he had just firm beliefs in the Christian Bible. Hitler apprehended numerous frantic beliefs which not only included God and Providence but also Fate, Social Darwinism, and ideological politics. He always supported, boldly, about God, dedication, optimism, code of belief, and the power of misinformation. Hitler detained sturdy devotion in all his conceptions. It was he, who defended the fight for the German people against Jews and always used Biblical logics. This can be seen in all his sayings, one of which is much evident:
“Hence today I believe that I am acting in accordance with the will of the Almighty Creator: by defending myself against the Jew, I am fighting for the work of the Lord.”

Religion was perhaps never regarded by him, as those who spend a lot of time in churches, but maybe since he was raised as a Catholic, and went to a monastery school, as a young boy he had interest of becoming a priest. Maybe that is why, much of his attitude or the way he behaved could be related to Bible, and more significantly, from the Christian Social movement. It was otherwise that his stand on Christianity has been questioned by many as he fought against certain Catholic priests, who never agreed with his political reasons, and his belief in God and country which he never left. But there have also been countless Christians, who were against priests for so many reasons, but that doesn’t make them against one’s own Christian thinking. Hitler never had to parade his belief in God, as seen now. Nor did he have to justify his beliefs, or thrust aimed at politics, not religion.

Hitler’s Secret Library

Hitler could probably be known more for destructing books or libraries, but it is a fact that he had keen interest in books. He had a wide collection of around 16,000 volumes. In was indeed a very remarkable collection, which contained from first editions of the works of philosophers to historians, poets, playwrights and novelists. He also possessed the collected works of William Shakespeare, published in German translation.

He suggested that a personal library assists as a stable and believable bystander to the collector’s personality, leading him to the philosophic vanity. He believed that when books are collected, they are actually being preserved by the collected, but actually the books themselves preserve their collector. According to him, a library was like a Pieria spring, a symbolic source of information and motivation. He used to stay there for long periods, such long as that he would at least read one book every night. He used to read ravenously, and thus believed that “When one gives, one also has to take, and I take what I need from books.”

He had great liking for Hamlet, Shakespearian volumes, even ranked Don Quixote, along with Robinson Crusoe, Uncle Tom’s Cabin and Gulliver’s Travels, among the great works of world literature. He appeared to have absorbed his Hamlet. “To be or not to be” was his favorite phrase, as was “It is Hecuba to me”. He was particularly fond of Julius Caesar. Hitler loved his very dear secret library, as he rearranged his books incessantly and insisted on re-shelving them himself.

His Dream of Becoming a Painter

Although bitter, unhappy, temperamental, lethargic and of unsound nature, Hitler had great interest in drawing and painting. Hitler had a deep desire of becoming an artist, which was strongly opposed to by his father and encouraged by his mother. Hitler never gave up his dream of becoming an artist so even after he left the school due the personal reasons, he went to Vienna to follow his dream. There in Vienna Academy, he presented his drawings as a proof of his talent and interest, but they were rejected for a very non-convincing reason that there were very few people in his drawings, and the examination board did not want a landscape artist.

Hitler at that age was short of means of living, so he, to support himself painted postcards to sell. It was also the time in about 1908 that he started developing hatred for Jews. Hitler had dreamed of reconstructing Linz, a place he spent most of his youth in. For many years, he continued drawing sketches for bridges, museums, theaters and concert halls.
Hitler even drew the lessons of his catastrophic heritage in a very different, yet his own special way. Several of his watercolor paintings represented war scenes or caricatures of comrades or officers.

Hitler Was A Vegetarian and Hated Smoking

Hitler was always a vegetarian, and he refused meat as according to him, eating meat was like eating carcasses. Hitler believed that eating meat was a distortion. It is well known that Hitler was a vegetarian and did not drink or smoke. His lunch and dinner consisted of most part of soup, eggs, vegetables and mineral water. Even during wars, a massive supply of fresh fruits and vegetables were delivered for their diet. Hitler also described himself as a vegetarian, which can be observed in one his letters to his friend where he mentioned his diet. Even though some people also believe that his vegetarianism was only temporary and due to stomach problems.

Although Hitler used to smoke in his adolescence but with time, he perhaps realized and became much conscious about his health, that he quit it. Not only that but, once he came to power, he became aware of the bad effects of smoking, and the health hazards it could cause, so when in power he strongly and openly opposed smoking. It seemed, he loathed tobacco, because he was not only a non-smoker; but he could not stand the smell of a cigarette. His men were never allowed to smoke, and especially made sure they didn’t smoke when Hitler was likely to enter the room. Men who just couldn’t do without smoking had to make excuses of leaving room for short intervals to actually smoke.

Once, a member of his press corps was smoking and seen outside the plane at a refilling stop, he was sacked on the spot. This explains how restricted smoking was in Hitler’s campaign. Anti-tobacco supporters succeeded in prohibiting smoking from government places, public transportation, university campuses, rest homes, post offices, many restaurants and bars, hospital grounds and workplaces. The taxes on tobacco were also raised, where as unofficial cigarette retailing equipments were banned. They banned tobacco advertising, smoking was forbidden in public areas, and farmers were discouraged for their tobacco growing abilities. Hitler not only ever smoked but he never drank too, and surprising as it may sound, he was an animal rights activist and rewarded those who would do the same joining the campaign.

Hitler’s Devotion to his People
Following is the Translation of Hitler’s Will – translated in the Office of United States Chief of Counsel for the Prosecution of Axis Criminality, Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression, Government Printing Office, Washington, 1946-1948, vol. VI, pg. 259-260. From the following, one could get hold of his dedicated nature. He was attacked countless times, during war, but none were successful. But when in the end, when the war appeared to be unavoidably lost and his hand-picked lieutenants, seeing the uselessness, confronted his orders, he killed himself on April 30, 1945. His long-term mistress and new bride, Eva Braun, joined him in suicide.

‘As I did not consider that I could take responsibility, during the years of struggle, of contracting a marriage, I have now decided, before the closing of my earthly career, to take as my wife that girl who, after many years of faithful friendship, entered, of her own free will, the practically besieged town in order to share her destiny with me. At her own desire she goes as my wife with me into death. It will compensate us for what we both lost through my work in the service of my people.

What I possess belongs – in so far as it has any value – to the Party. Should this no longer exist, to the State; should the State also be destroyed, no further decision of mine is necessary.
My pictures, in the collections which I have bought in the course of years, have never been collected for private purposes, but only for the extension of a gallery in my home town of Linz on Donau.
It is my most sincere wish that this bequest may be duly executed.
I nominate as my Executor my most faithful Party comrade,
Martin Bormann

He is given full legal authority to make all decisions. He is permitted to take out everything that has a sentimental value or is necessary for the maintenance of a modest simple life, for my brothers and sisters, also above all for the mother of my wife and my faithful co-workers who are well known to him, principally my old Secretaries Frau Winter etc. who have for many years aided me by their work.
I myself and my wife – in order to escape the disgrace of deposition or capitulation – choose death. It is our wish to be burnt immediately on the spot where I have carried out the greatest part of my daily work in the course of a twelve years’ service to my people’.
Given in Berlin, 29th April 1945, 4:00 a.m.
[Signed]A. Hitler
[Witnesses - Signed]
Dr. Joseph Goebbels
Martin Bormann
Colonel Nicholaus von Below

source