Chapter 6 Summary and Analysis

In 1938, the biggest Nazi rally yet, the Nuremberg Rally, took place on September 5. About a million Nazi members and loyalists showed up to cheer on the German war machine. The chapter describes the personal experiences of a Hitler Youth member named Alfons Heck at that rally. He was amazed at the impressive tanks and weapons the soldiers demonstrated, and the rush of excitement and joy in the air. The soldiers also fought mock battles to impress the public. Hitler made it a special point to emphasize the Hitler Youth in his speech at the rally.

Hitler next turned his eyes to Poland. German propaganda led people to believe the Poles were mistreating ethnic Germans living in Germany. And Hitler stoked the fire by launching a fake attack on a German radio station and blaming the Poles. Painting Germany as the defender...