July 18 - Hitler's 'Mein Kampf' is Published

This Day in History: 18 July 2020

 

18 July 1925

 

95 years ago, today, Adolf Hitler's philosophical autobiography 'Mein Kampf' was published. It was essentially a blueprint of his agenda for a Third Reich and a clear description of what was to take place in Europe from 1939 to 1945. This volume was initially composed while Hitler spent his time in Landsberg prison, after being convicted for treason while attempting to stage a disastrous coup. He was sentenced to five years' imprisonment but would only serve nine months. His time in the fortress at Landsberg was far from brutal as he was allowed guests and gifts.

 

The first part of the autobiography was subtitled 'A Reckoning' and is over 400 pages. It discusses the problems of Germany, such as the French who wished to dismember the nation, the lack of living space, the need to expand into Russia, and the negative influence of 'mongrel' races. Hitler constantly emphasised the need for racial purity in a revitalised Germany. Volume Two focused on national socialism and was published 2 years later. Throughout the decade, sales of the complete work remained mediocre; it was not until the first year of Hitler's tenure as the chancellor of Germany that sales soared to over 1 million. The book was so popular that a ritual was created to give a newly married couple a copy.

 

Want to find out more about 'Mein Kampf'? Click here for more information, or here for more about the danger of the book today.