Not only had Germany lost the war, but it also had to pay enormous reparations. In 1919, Germany was in a state of chaos throughout the country, much like South Korea immediately after liberation.
Communists, enraged by the Russian Revolution, were trying to make Germany a communist country, while retired soldiers who had been discharged but could not find jobs formed paramilitary groups such as the Free Corps and the Iron Helmets, and engaged in gun battles with communists.
Literally 5 minutes before the mess.
Given the state of the country, the military naturally had a lot to do.
"Sergeant, wake up everyone in the squad."
"What's going on this time?"
"They say the communists are rioting downtown."
"That happens all the time. Isn't that under the police's jurisdiction?"
"Even those police officers can't handle it this time, so they've requested our assistance. We need to be there in ten minutes, so hurry."
We were dispatched several times to beat up communists who would cause demonstrations or riots.
Even though I was on vacation, I had nowhere to go and didn't have much money, so I spent my days just sleeping on the bed in the official residence.
Finally, 'that day' has come.
"Sergeant, you have work to do."
The major, who identified himself as a member of the Army's Intelligence Operations Staff, gave me a 'special mission.'
"You are probably aware that numerous political parties, including communism, have emerged recently."
"Yes, that's right."
"So, what I'm saying is, you need to find out about one of those groups.
Have you heard of the German Workers' Party (Deutsche Arbeiter Partei, DAP)?
As you know.
Wasn't that the old name of the Nazi Party, which was an ordinary, unknown political party before Hitler joined, but later became infamous for causing World War II and the Holocaust?
***
"According to the intelligence agency's report, they're such a small, mid-sized party that they're not considered dangerous, but just in case. Even communists like Lenin started out as small groups.
Your mission is to find out what kind of group they are and what they are up to."
He spoke grandly, but the Major misunderstood something.
This is the fact that this German Workers' Party would have remained a party that was left in ruins for the rest of its life if it had not been for Hitler.
How long have I waited for this moment to come?
It was really hard to hide my excited expression.
I immediately headed to the warehouse where the German Workers' Party often met.
Like many political parties that emerged in the early days of the Weimar Republic, the German Workers' Party, short on money, rented an old warehouse to hold its party debates.
They said it was a discussion forum, but in reality, they just drank beer and badmouthed the government.
The warehouse was converted into a pub, where ordinary citizens could order drinks.
I sat down in a corner, ordered a beer, and looked around when I saw a familiar face.
"······So, we too must make good use of the current situation. Only then can we gain public attention and engage in serious politics."
Over there, the bespectacled man sitting in the middle seat, talking loudly, was Anton Drexler, the current leader of the German Workers' Party.
This was our second meeting, having met once in the previous life.
"These days, the government is doing nothing. They can't even control prices, and they're just letting the communists run wild. They're all in cahoots with the communists."
"Right, right."
"That's right. Yes."
As I was finishing my beer, a man stood up and spoke passionately.
Was that person Professor Bauman? It's been decades, so I can't remember clearly.
"We cannot entrust our fate to a corrupt government. If we do not want Munich to become a den of communists like Russia, we must wake up now!"
"Right!"
"Therefore, Bavaria must become independent! So that it doesn't continue to suffer under that incompetent government! Isn't that right, gentlemen?!"
widely.
After downing the last sip of my beer, I set my glass down with a clang and stood up, and everyone's eyes turned to me.
"We are all Germans!"
"?"
"Who are you?"
Everyone looks bewildered by the unexpected intruder.
Regardless, I stared straight at Professor Bauman and refuted his claims.
"Bayern should become independent? Are you in your right mind? We need to unite now, but you're trying to start your own household. You should be ashamed of yourself!"
"How can this country stand on its own two feet? Think about it!"
"Wh, what···."
"Germany is in crisis right now! Unemployment is rampant, and communists are running wild. If we demand independence in such a situation, what good will the other regions have for remaining in this country? Everyone will become independent. Germany will disappear from the map!"
"What matters now isn't Bavarian independence! We need to figure out how to unite Germany once again, how to unite the German people beyond ideology and origins under a single set of values!"
Professor Bauman left the room in a cold sweat.
But the rest of the people remained in their seats, staring at me as if under a spell.
Drexler and his comrades, of course,
The person sitting in the corner drinking beer and munching on a pretzel, and the waiter taking our order,
Everyone's eyes were on me.
My heart swelled with excitement as I finally had the chance to let out all the words I had been holding back for years.
"Some of you here, like me, have probably fought in battles. Anyone who has served in the military knows how important unity is.
But independence! Don't you know that's precisely what our enemies desire most? To claim independence knowing this is truly reprehensible, and to claim independence without knowing it is foolish!
Are you satisfied with the current situation? Any sane person would say no. If Germany is to regain its former status, we must all unite. We must not insist on independence, but on uniting our forces. That's what I'm saying!
"There's only one thing you must know: we are all Germans. Never forget this. That's all for now."
As I was about to leave after finishing my speech and packing my coat,
"for a moment!"
As expected.
Drexler stopped me.
"Teacher, what is your name?"
"Adolf Hitler."
Drexler stood there with the expression of a man who had stumbled across a wad of cash in a pile of trash on the street.
"Your speaking skills are truly an art. You seem to speak better than most politicians. Where did you learn from?"
"I never learned it from anyone, I am completely self-taught."
In fact, Hitler created his own speaking technique entirely through self-study, and it became a legend.
"Wow! To think you've achieved this level of skill through self-study. I think you have a natural talent for public speaking!"
"Thank you for the compliment."
He took a thin booklet out of his pocket and handed it to me, saying:
"This is a guidebook introducing our party. Please read it, and if you have any interest in politics, please come visit us anytime. Our party always welcomes talented individuals like you."
***
It is said that Hitler scoffed when he first received Drexler's proposal.
That day, he wrote in his diary, "These authors, whose party funds are like a child's allowance, are embarrassed to accept me," so you can see how much Hitler ridiculed them.
That would be the case, since the German Workers' Party was a poor, unknown party that relied on voluntary donations from its members for even its operating expenses, let alone its political activities.
If Hitler had remained in the army, history would have been very different from what we know, but he soon changed his mind, left the army, joined the German Workers' Party, and later became the dictator we know.
I have no way of knowing what Hitler was thinking when he decided to join the party, but at least I had already made up my mind.
"Are you serious?"
"I can't tell you the details, but I have something else I need to do."
"Ugh... I can't help it. I have no right to tell you what you've chosen. Anyway, I understand. Stay healthy."
"Thank you for everything."
The application for military service was accepted without a hitch.
With this, I, who had transformed from Sergeant Hitler to civilian Hitler, went straight to see Drexler.
As expected, Drexler greeted me with a broad smile.
"Welcome! I knew you'd come!"
I joined the German Workers' Party.
His party number was 555, meaning he was the 55th member of the German Workers' Party.
***
After becoming an official party member, I, like Hitler in history, first changed the party's name.
"Should we change the party name?"
"Yes. The existing name lacks impact. It needs to have a strong impression to stick in people's minds, but the current name isn't doing that. Let's change it to something more recognizable."
Drexler seemed somewhat uncomfortable with my suggestion to change the party name.
If you suggest changing the name of the party you came up with, of course you won't like it.
But he didn't oppose my proposal, perhaps because he thought it would be difficult to attract people's attention with the current name.
"Good. But what should I change it to? I can't think of anything."
"Don't worry. I have something in mind."
"Can you tell me what that is?"
"National Socialist German Workers' Party (National-Sozialistische Deutsche Arbeiter Partei, NSDAP)."