There existed at this time a widespread perception that Hitler's government could not possible endure. Germany's military power was limited... And Hitler himself had begun to seem like a more temperate actor than might have been predicted given the violence that had swept Germany earlier in the year. On May 10, 1933, the Nazi Party burned unwelcome books -- Einstein, Freud, the brothers Mann, and many others -- in great pyres throughout Germany, but seven days later Hitler declared himself committed to peace and went so far as to pledge complete disarmament if other countries followed suit. The world swooned with relief.
During a tumultuous period in Germany, many believed that Hitler's regime was unstable. The country’s military capabilities were perceived as limited, and surprisingly, Hitler appeared to adopt a more moderate stance compared to the extreme violence witnessed earlier. This perception was notable against the backdrop of significant events like the Nazi Party's book burnings on May 10, 1933, where they incinerated works by figures like Einstein and Freud, demonstrating their intolerance for dissent.
Just a week after the book burnings, Hitler made a startling declaration of his commitment to peace, offering to disarm Germany provided other nations did the same. This unexpected pledge of peace seemed to momentarily ease the anxieties of the international community, leading to a sense of relief regarding the potential threat posed by Hitler and his government. This duality of violence and peace promises reveals the complex dynamics of the era.
