Göring: Architect of Power
An analytical examination of Hermann Göring, a key figure in Nazi Germany, detailing his rise from WWI ace to powerful Nazi potentate, his role in World War II, and his eventual trial and death.
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Early Life and Education
Family Background
Hermann Wilhelm Göring was born on January 12, 1893, in Rosenheim, Bavaria. His father, Heinrich Ernst Göring, had a distinguished military career and served as governor-general of German South West Africa. The family experienced financial difficulties after his father's retirement, relying on his pension. Göring's childhood was marked by a fascination with military life and a somewhat unconventional upbringing, including a period where his mother was the mistress of Hermann Epenstein, a wealthy family friend.
Education and Aspirations
From a young age, Göring aspired to a military career. He attended a military academy in Berlin-Lichterfelde, graduating with distinction. His early interests included war games, mountain climbing, and romantic notions of German identity, which would later be shaped by Nazism.
Pre-War Military Path
Göring joined the Prussian Army in 1912. The outbreak of World War I in 1914 saw him stationed near the French frontier. Initially serving in infantry, he later transferred to the nascent air service, the Luftstreitkräfte, driven by a desire for action and influenced by his friend Bruno Loerzer.
World War I Ace
Aerial Combat
During World War I, Göring served as an observer and later a pilot. He was awarded the Iron Cross for his early service. After recovering from a serious hip injury sustained in aerial combat, he joined various fighter squadrons (Jastas) and achieved significant success, accumulating 22 confirmed aerial victories. His wartime decorations included the prestigious Pour le Mérite.
Command and Recognition
In July 1918, Göring took command of Jagdgeschwader 1, the famous fighter wing previously led by Manfred von Richthofen. Despite his achievements, his arrogance made him unpopular with some of his men. He finished the war as a decorated ace, though the defeat and subsequent "stab-in-the-back myth" contributed to his disillusionment.
Post-War Disillusionment
Like many German veterans, Göring struggled with the post-war environment and the perceived betrayal that led to Germany's defeat. He attempted to continue in aviation, working briefly for Fokker and Swedish airlines. The economic hardship and personal disappointments of this period contributed to his search for a new purpose and ideology.
Post-War Struggles and Ideological Shift
Financial and Personal Hardship
After the war, Göring faced financial instability and personal challenges. His marriage to Carin von Kantzow, whom he met in 1921 and married in 1922, provided some stability. However, his involvement in the failed Beer Hall Putsch in 1923 led to injuries and the onset of a severe morphine addiction, which plagued him for years.
Encountering Nazism
Göring joined the Nazi Party in 1922 after hearing Adolf Hitler speak. He was drawn to Hitler's charisma and the party's nationalist and anti-establishment message. His early involvement included leading the SA (Sturmabteilung) briefly and participating in the Beer Hall Putsch, which resulted in his injury and subsequent addiction.
Political Re-engagement
Following his recovery from addiction and the Nazi Party's rebuilding phase, Göring re-engaged politically. He was elected to the Reichstag in 1928, providing him with a platform and access to influential figures. His dedication and organizational skills were recognized by Hitler, positioning him for greater influence within the party.
Early Nazi Career
Political Appointments
Upon Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in 1933, Göring rapidly accumulated significant political power. He was appointed Minister without portfolio, Reichskommissar of Aviation, and President of the Reichstag. He also became Minister-President and Interior Minister of Prussia, consolidating control over the state's administration and police apparatus.
Creation of the Gestapo
One of Göring's early significant actions was overseeing the creation of the Gestapo (Geheime Staatspolizei) in Prussia. Initially heading this secret police force, he later transferred its control to Heinrich Himmler in 1934, a move that further centralized Nazi state power and solidified Himmler's influence.
Consolidation of Influence
Göring's strategic maneuvering and loyalty to Hitler allowed him to amass considerable influence. He secured key legislative powers in Prussia and became a central figure in the Nazi regime's early consolidation of power, demonstrating his effectiveness as an administrator and political operator.
The Reichstag Fire
Immediate Response
Göring was among the first to arrive at the scene of the Reichstag fire on February 27, 1933. He immediately called for a crackdown on Communists, leveraging the incident to justify the suppression of political opposition. The fire provided the pretext for the Reichstag Fire Decree, which suspended civil liberties.
Controversial Role
While Göring denied responsibility for starting the fire during his trial, some historians suggest Nazi involvement. His swift and decisive actions following the fire were instrumental in enabling the Nazi Party to consolidate power, effectively dismantling democratic institutions in Germany.
Personal Life and Second Marriage
Relationship with Emmy Sonnemann
After the death of his first wife, Carin, in 1931, Göring entered into a relationship with Emmy Sonnemann, an actress from Hamburg. Their marriage in April 1935 was a grand affair, attended by Hitler himself, who served as the best man. This union provided Göring with a public image of domesticity.
Family Life
Göring and Emmy had one daughter, Edda, born in June 1938. Emmy Göring played a significant role in maintaining the social facade of the Nazi elite, hosting events and managing their various residences, including the opulent Carinhall.
Nazi Potentate
Accumulation of Power
By the mid-1930s, Göring had become one of the most powerful figures in Nazi Germany. His appointment as Plenipotentiary of the Four Year Plan in 1936 gave him control over economic mobilization for war, bringing numerous government agencies under his purview. He also served as Minister of Aviation and President of the Prussian State Council.
Economic Control and Art Plunder
Göring leveraged his positions to amass significant personal wealth and influence. He controlled key economic sectors through the Four Year Plan and established the Reichswerke Hermann Göring for industrial production. He also became a notorious collector of art, much of which was looted from Jewish victims during the Holocaust.
Public Image vs. Reality
While Göring enjoyed considerable public popularity in Germany for his perceived charisma and humor, his influence within the Nazi hierarchy began to wane as the war progressed. His rivals, like Martin Bormann, gained favor, and Hitler became increasingly distant.
World War II Leadership
Commander of the Luftwaffe
As Commander-in-Chief of the Luftwaffe, Göring bore significant responsibility for Germany's air campaigns. He was promoted to the unique rank of Reichsmarschall in 1940, signifying his supreme military authority. However, the Luftwaffe's failures, particularly in the Battle of Britain and the Eastern Front, led to a decline in his standing.
Declining Influence
Despite initial successes, the Luftwaffe proved incapable of achieving air superiority against Allied forces. Failures in strategic bombing, inability to resupply besieged armies (like at Stalingrad), and heavy losses against superior Allied air power diminished Göring's credibility with Hitler and the German public. He increasingly withdrew from active military and political affairs.
Role in Nazi Policies
Beyond military command, Göring was instrumental in implementing Nazi policies, including the Four Year Plan for economic rearmament and the systematic plunder of occupied territories. He played a role in the persecution of Jews and other groups, contributing to the atrocities of the regime.
The Final Days and Succession Crisis
Hitler's Succession Decree
In his last will and testament on April 29, 1945, Hitler named Göring as his successor in the event of his death. However, Hitler also rescinded previous decrees and accused Göring of treason for attempting to seize power via a telegram.
The Göring Telegram
Fearing Hitler's imminent suicide and the potential seizure of power by Martin Bormann, Göring sent a telegram requesting permission to assume leadership as Hitler's deputy. This was misinterpreted by Bormann as a power grab, leading Hitler to order Göring's arrest and removal from all positions.
Surrender and Capture
As Allied forces closed in, Göring was moved from his besieged locations. He surrendered to U.S. forces on May 9, 1945, near Radstadt, Austria, likely saving him from potential execution by Bormann's orders and ensuring his appearance at the subsequent trials.
Nuremberg Trials and Demise
Indictment and Defense
At the Nuremberg trials, Göring was the highest-ranking Nazi official tried. He faced charges including conspiracy, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Despite his attempts to control the proceedings and influence other defendants, his defense was ultimately unsuccessful.
Conviction and Sentence
Göring was convicted on all counts and sentenced to death by hanging. He requested execution by firing squad, a request denied by the tribunal. His IQ was measured at 138 during captivity, indicating significant intellectual capacity.
Final Act
The night before his scheduled execution on October 15, 1946, Göring committed suicide by ingesting cyanide, thereby avoiding the public execution he had been sentenced to.
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References
References
- The swastika was a badge that the count and some friends had adopted at school, and he adopted it as a family emblem. See Manvell & Fraenkel 2011, pp. 403â404.
- Nazi Conspiracy and Aggression 1946, pp. 100â101.
- Nuremberg Trial Proceedings, 18 March 1946.
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Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not a political endorsement or justification. The information provided on this website is for historical and analytical purposes only. It is crucial to understand the context and consequences of the actions and ideologies discussed. Never disregard the historical atrocities committed by the Nazi regime or the suffering caused by its policies.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.