Adolf Hitler: the Modern Machiavelli

In Adolf Hitler, the early twentieth century found a nearly flawless Machiavellian politician. He emerged from his nine-month imprisonment in 1924 a flawless tactician, not losing his ability to commandeer and expand a flourishing army until he attacked Russia. For Hitler had an extremely firm grasp on Machiavelli’s words: “A prince ought to inspire fear in such a way that, if he does not win love, he avoids hatred; because he can endure very well being feared.” Hitler inspired such a fear into his enemies and such a passionate exuberance into his followers that, domestically, he had few threats to fear as long as he continued to win battles.

One could compare the situation of the German people with that of the people of Milan in the late 15th century: “Louis the Twelfth, King of France, quickly occupied Milan, and as quickly lost it; and to turn him out the first time it only needed Lodovico's own forces; because those who had opened the gates to him, finding themselves de...