Hitler's Shadow: 100 Years of Mein Kampf and the New Anti-Semitism!

Hitler's Shadow: 100 Years of Mein Kampf and the New Anti-Semitism!

Adolf Hitler, whose name is inextricably linked to racism and anti-Semitism, is also experiencing an unpleasant renaissance today, especially on social media and the Internet. On the platform X (formerly Twitter) you can find numerous entries, photos, memes and slogans that deal with him as a person. Despite his death over 80 years ago, there are numerous commercial interests in his writings, especially “Mein Kampf”. The price for the German edition is around 250 euros, while the English version costs up to 600 dollars. Historian Othmar Plöckinger explains that the book not only addresses Hitler's anti-Semitism, but also his claim to power. The first editions of the book were published on July 18, 1925, at a time when Hitler had little political influence. Nevertheless, “Mein Kampf” developed into a bestseller and financial success for the future dictator.

Few people knew at the time that Hitler was foreshadowing future wars and struggles for existence in this work. The 1933 Reichstag elections, in which the Nazi Party received over 17 million votes, paved the way for his rise to power and led to one of the darkest chapters in history: World War II and the Holocaust. After Hitler's suicide in 1945, the Germans declared “Never again!” committed, but the ghosts of the past do not seem to have been eradicated.

The shadow of “Mein Kampf”

The Institute for Contemporary History (IfZ) in Munich reports on the publication of a critical edition of Hitler's notes and speeches that were written between 1905 and 1933. Despite several attempts to scientifically edit “Mein Kampf”, this central propaganda publication of the Nazi regime has so far been omitted from the edition. The Bavarian state government received the rights to Hitler's writings from the Allied victorious powers, which made it impossible to publish new editions after 1945 due to copyright law. It was only 70 years after Hitler's death that copyright expired, leaving room for possible reprints, and this is a concern for historians from afar.

A critical look at anti-Semitism in Germany is examined in an article by the Institute for Human Rights. This outlines the deep-rooted social problems of anti-Semitism, which ranges from Christian anti-Judaism to modern manifestations. Despite coming to terms with the Holocaust, latent anti-Semitism is still present in various areas of society and is causing alarm. Around a fifth of the German population shows latent anti-Semitic attitudes - a circumstance that should alarm society.

Social media in the crosshairs

The importance of social media in spreading anti-Semitic ideologies is enormous. Historian Matthew Feldmann explains that a removal of taboos from the extreme right can be observed, which is being promoted by platforms like X. Nikolas Lelle from the Amadeu Antonio Foundation reports a return of right-wing extremist ideologies and provocations, especially in memorial sites. The willingness of young right-wing extremists to use violence has also increased, which makes it clear that protective measures are urgently needed.

The challenge is not only to know the history, but also to encourage active action. The article from the Institute for Human Rights calls for a comprehensive strategy to combat anti-Semitism that combines education, prevention and public awareness. Education and awareness programs must be addressed to dismantle anti-Semitic ideologies and promote a tolerant society. The past may have left painful wounds, but today clear boundaries must be set against right-wing extremism in order to learn from history and secure our future.