Dorothy Thompson, an acclaimed journalist, interviewed Adolf Hitler in 1931 and believed he was insignificant, a view common among contemporary observers. Despite his unimposing presence, Hitler's political ascent was rapid, contrasting the general skepticism about his capabilities. This misjudgment reflects a broader pattern where educated observers underestimated the potential of figures like Hitler, who eventually defied the expectations of many. The article highlights the complex dynamics of political perception and the reluctance of journalists to foresee the power of such a demagogue.
One of the greatest journalistic misapprehensions of all time was made by one of the greatest journalists of all time. In December 1931, the legendary American reporter Dorothy Thompson secured an interview with Adolf Hitler... I was convinced that I was meeting the future dictator of Germany... In something like 50 seconds, I was quite sure he was not.
We have come to view Hitler's path to the chancellorship, and ultimately to dictatorship, as inexorable, and Hitler himself as a demonic force of human nature who defied every law of political gravity.
Few public figures have provided as easy a target for ridicule and disparagement as Adolf Hitler... He was a high-school dropout, a failed artist, and a frontline soldier who never made it beyond the rank of corporal.
But Thompson was hardly alone in her assessment. Much of the German press, most international correspondents, and many political observers... drew similar conclusions about the Nazi leader.
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