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The development of relations between State and Church affords a very instructive example of how the carelessness of a single statesman can have after-effects which last for centuries. When Charlemagne was kneeling at prayer in St. Peter's, Rome, at Christmas in the year 800, the Pope, giving him no time to work out the possible effects of so symbolic an action, suddenly bent down and presto! popped a golden crown on his head! By permitting it, the Emperor delivered himself and his successors into the hands of a power which subjected the German Government and the German people to five hundred years of martyrdom.

Adolf Hitler#125

HistoryLeadershipPowerSymbolism

About this quote

What does it mean?
The speaker blames Charlemagne for accepting a crown, claiming it gave too much power to the Pope.
In plain terms
He says Charlemagne gave the Pope too much power.
What can you take from it?
Symbolic acts can have unintended long-term consequences.

Where it applies

  • historical debate
  • political strategy

Putting it to work

  • studying history
  • planning actions

Questions to consider

  • Was this choice avoidable?
  • Who benefits from this view?

Another view

It simplifies complex historical events.

More from Adolf Hitler

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  3. It is deplorable that the Bible should have been translated into German, and that the whole of the German Folk should have thus become exposed to the whole of …

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