The Enigma of Hitler's Sexuality: Unraveling the Complex Link to His Political Demise - Paper Sample

1. Main Argument of the Text

The main argument of the text, “Hitler, Rohm, and the Night of the Long Knives” by Machtan, is that Hitler was a homosexual, and this character put him under political downfall. Seeing that power was snatched from him, he was worried and scared and decided to kill the senior people, including Rohm, during the night with long knives.

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2. The Strengths of the Argument

Machtan provided a valid convincing argument that Hitler used his political muscle to practice homosexuality, but this character was the reason for his downfall. As he elevated Rohm, he later became his threat. The author provides a chronological account of events that took place, making the reader understand the entire story. The author presents the close connection between Hitler and Rohm. Rohm was a homosexual, and his close ties with Hitler show how well they connected, and they were engaged in the same personal behavior. Machtan shows that connection between the two by telling the reader that when Hitler delivered his public speech in Munich Hofbraukeller at a DAP rally. Due to Ernst Rohm's outstanding performance, Hitler became impressed and promoted him to several ranks in the military.

According to Machtan, male homosexual eroticism was ideologized and used for political purposes. Hence a male-structured volkisch state was established. The author identified an article under the title "National Socialism and Inversion," published in 1932, revealing how Rohm dealt with homosexual proclivities. Before 1933, the fascist's male-bonding culture was dominant, comprised of sexuality and ideologically charged homosexual eroticism.

The reason behind the killings executed on the long night of knives was to hide the secretive acts of homosexuals. Machtan claimed that Rohm's killing was instigated by the realization that he could reveal his character as he became more powerful. The claim agrees with the writings of Kate Connolly, who posited that the killing of many high-ranking Nazis was to mask the homosexual character. Connolly (2001) revealed that before the night of long knives, Ernst Rohm had threatened to reveal that Hitler was a homosexual. Rohm was gay, and they probably acted together and practiced homosexuality. Connolly (2001) further claimed that Hitler had an affair with Schmidl and even slept together at night. The two were friends for five years. Hitler lured many young men, especially in the military, to sleep with him, which lowered his persuasion of the police.

3. Weaknesses of the Argument

Although Machtan wrote a highly convincing argument about Hitler's character, his text has notable weaknesses. One of the weaknesses is that it is difficult to identify the theme of homosexuality since it is embedded in the political affairs of Hitler. Therefore, the theme is not clear, and recognizing it is a real challenge. Besides, the argument is made in a language that is not easy to understand. From the surface, one cannot quickly identify the theme of homosexuality in Hitler's life.

References

Connolly, K. (2001). Hitler was gay - and killed to hide it, book says. The Guardian. Retrieved 26 September 2020, from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/oct/07/books.booksnews.

Machtan, L. (2001). Hitler, Rohm, and the night of the long knives. History Today, 51(11), 5-17. https://search-proquestcom.ezproxy.ecu.edu.au/docview/202814828/fulltextPDF/E47B5704109460EPQ/8?accountid=10675