The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich: A History of Nazi Germany

by William L. Shirer

Hitler became obsessed with the idea that there should be no border between these two German-speaking peoples and that they both belonged in the same Reich.

Hitler’s obsession with uniting all German-speaking peoples under one Reich reflects a broader theme of ultranationalism, where ethnicity and language are weaponized to justify territorial expansion. This mirrors modern parallels, such as Vladimir Putin’s claim that parts of Ukraine are “ethnically Russian,” used to legitimize his invasion. Both leaders invoked historical grievances and cultural ties to reframe aggression as a means of reunification. What’s striking is how both regimes relied on narratives of historical destiny. Hitler cited the injustices of Versailles and the unity of the German Volk, while Putin frames Ukraine as an inseparable part of a greater Russian civilization. These ideologies distort history and identity to serve expansionist goals, disregarding the sovereignty and self-determination of the populations affected. This fits into a broader pattern throughout The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich — how authoritarian leaders manipulate nationalism, historical myth, and cultural identity to legitimize power grabs. It’s a sobering reminder that rhetoric around “protecting ethnic kin” has often served as a smokescreen for conquest and expansion.