The Personality of Adolph Hitler

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP78-02646R000100030002-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 241
• Document Creation Date: November 11, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 11, 1998
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: October 1, 1943
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved Foe19}99/8/I
c.Analysis of
The Personality of Adolph Hitler.,
With Predictions of His Future Behavior
and
Suggestions for Dealing, With Hirri,
ran
Approve",qj ase 4 8 1 2 ' 00030002-2
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ANALYSIS OF THE PERSONALITY OF ADOLF HITLER
with predictions of his future behavior
and
suggestions for dealing with him
now and after Germanys surrender
Henry A. hurray, M. D
IIarvarc. Psychological Clinic
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 Approved For Release 1999/08/24: CIA-RDP78-02646R000100030002-2
FOEE.NORD
Aim
The aim of this memorandum is (1) to present an
analysis of Adolf Hitler's personality with an
hypothetical formulation of the manner of its
development; (2) on the basis of this, to make a
few predictions as to his conduct when confronted
by the mounting successes of the Allies; and (3)
to offer some suggestions as to how the U. S.
Government might now influence his mental condition
and behavior (assuming it sees fit to do so), and
might cI a1 with hi:m, if taken into custody, after
Germany's surrender.
The proper interpretation of Hitler's person-
ality is important as a step in understanding the
M~ holaq of the ?.7-1-31 ,1 Nazis and - since the
typical Nazi exhibits a strain that has, for a
long time, been prevalont among Germans - As a
step in understanding tha psychology of the German
people. Hitler's unprscederted appaal, the eleva-
tion of this man to the "tatus of dam:-god, can
be explained only on the hypotho i t'^.a t he and his
ideology have almost exactly met the n-_,-,3s, longings,
and sentiments of the majority of Germans.
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The attainment of a clear impression of the
psychology of the German people is essential if,
after surrender, they are to be converted into a
peace-loving nation that is willing to take its
proper place in a world society.
Sources of Information for this 'Analys1s: -
As is well known, there are no thoroughly re-
liable sources of information about Hitler's early
life and what is known about him since 1918 is in
many respects insufficient or contradictory.
This analysis has been based, for the most
part, on the following material:
1. Data supplied by the Office of
Strategic services
2. H5_tleris MEIN KAMPP, New York,
Re,ynal & Hitchcock, 1939'
3. Hitler's WY NEW ORDER, New York,
Reynal & Hitchcock, 1941
4. ~teiden, K.., H1~1.7-ER, A BIOGRAPHY,
London, lG'36
5, Rauschning, H., VOICE OF DESTRUCTION,
New York
6. Baynes, H. G., GERMANY POSSESSED,
LoIIdon, 141
It is generally agr.?esd that MEIN KAMPF is not to be
relied on as a fact-_lal document, but as the translators
say in the introduction to the American edition,
this work "is probably the best written evidence
of the character, the mind, and the spirit of Adolf
Hitler." An analysis of the metaphors used in
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MEIN KAT,1 F has proved rewarding in the attempt to
discover the underlying forces of his personality,
MY NEW ORDER, edited by Roussy de Sales, has also
been utilized extensively.
A paper publi: hed by W.H.D. Vernon, HITLER THE
MAN - NOTES FOR A CASE HISTORY (Tour. of Abn? & Soc.
Psychol., 1942, 37, 29?7- 30S), was w. itten under my
general quperv.rl_sion and contains r^o