He saw Hitler's stature within Germany grow to that of a god. Women cried as he passed near; souvenir hunters dug up parcels of earth from the ground on which he stepped. At the September 1936 party rally in Nuremberg, which Dodd did not attend, Hitler launched his audience into near hysteria. That you have found me … among so many millions is the miracle of our time! he cried. And that I have found you, that is Germany's fortune!
In the book "In the Garden of Beasts" by Erik Larson, the author highlights the cult-like reverence that Adolf Hitler commanded in Germany during the 1930s. As Hitler's power increased, he began to be viewed almost as a divine figure, with intense emotional reactions from the masses. People cried in his presence, and there was a fascination that led some to collect dirt that he walked on, showcasing the depth of this adoration.
Notably, during the 1936 Nuremberg rally, which was a significant event in Nazi propaganda, Hitler stirred his audience into frenzied excitement. His speech conveyed a message of miraculous connection with the German people, emphasizing a distorted sense of destiny that he and his followers believed they shared. This powerful manipulation of public sentiment marked a pivotal moment in the consolidation of his regime and reflected the fears and hopes of a nation grappling with its identity.
