Hitler’s Edifice Complex
He was obsessed with adding an expensive new wing to the Reich chancellery, part of his grandiose architectural ambitions for the nation’s capital.
Timothy W. Ryback
Timothy W. Ryback, an Atlantic contributing writer, is a historian and director of the Institute for Historical Justice and Reconciliation in The Hague. He is the author of several books on Hitler’s Germany, including the forthcoming 53 Days: How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy.
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Heinrich Hoffmann / ullstein bild / Getty Hitler’s Greenland Obsession
After creating an economic mess with ill-advised tariffs, Hitler looked north in pursuit of resources and national security.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: Getty; ullstein bild / Getty; Imperial War Museums / Getty; Ann Ronan Pictures / Print Collector / Getty. What Happened When Hitler Took On Germany’s Central Banker
Hans Luther was the principled and respected president of the Reichsbank—but he wouldn’t accede to Hitler’s demands.
Gemälde von Max Slevogt / ullstein bild / Getty Hitler Used a Bogus Crisis of ‘Public Order’ to Make Himself Dictator
Using disorder he had helped manufacture, the chancellor seized control of Bavaria.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: csa-archives / Getty; Keystone / Getty; Fox Photos / Getty. Hitler’s Terrible Tariffs
By seeking to “liberate” Germans from a globalized world order, the Nazi government sent the national economy careening backwards.
Ullstein Bild / Getty Worse Than Signalgate
Accidentally sharing attack plans with a journalist in a group chat is bad. Causing a rising superpower to declare war on you because of a Western Union telegram is worse.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: Science History Images / Alamy; ullstein bild Dtl / Getty. What the Press Got Wrong About Hitler
Journalists accurately reported that the führer was a “Little Man” whom the whole world was laughing at. It didn’t matter.
Bettmann / Getty ‘Herr Hitler, Do You Really Believe Me Capable of Such a Dirty Trick?’
The chancellor rewarded loyalty with loyalty. Until he didn’t.
Illustration by The Atlantic. Sources: Bettmann / Getty; Ullstein Bild / Getty; Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty. The Oligarchs Who Came to Regret Supporting Hitler
They helped him in pursuit of profit. Many ended up in concentration camps.
Sueddeutsche Zeitung Photo / Alamy How Hitler Dismantled a Democracy in 53 Days
He used the constitution to shatter the constitution.
Everett Collection / Alamy
