I have been Europe's last hope. She proved incapable of refashioning herself by means of voluntary reform. She showed herself impervious to charm and persuasion. To take her I had to use violence. (26th February)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hitler claims Europe was on the verge of collapse and could not reform itself voluntarily. He argues that force was necessary to achieve what persuasion could not.
- In plain terms
- He believes force was needed because Europe would not change on its own.
- What can you take from it?
- He justifies violence as a necessary tool for reform.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- How do leaders justify violence as necessary?
- What defines a nation's capacity for reform?
Another view
The claim of being Europe's only hope is an exaggeration not supported by broader historical consensus.
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