Hitler's Table Talk

CURBING THE POWER OF THE MASSES 335
160 20th February 1942, midday
Strengthening the German position—The British proletariat
and the threat of revolution—The three objectives of
revolution—Paradise on earth—The last somersaults of
Christianity.
In the last few weeks, I've the feeling that our position has
got considerably stronger. The little countries are beginning to
look on us as a guarantee of order. They'll approach us all the
more when they see that England is tying herself up more
closely with Bolshevism.
When the masses in England realise their own power, probably
they'll make a bloody revolution. One can only hold the
masses by habit—or else by force. Nothing stops me from
thinking that they're keeping on the island, as a guard against
unexpected circumstances, regiments that would be very useful
elsewhere. If the Conservative Party lost the support of the
Army, the only thing left to it would be to make an alliance with
the nine thousand supporters of Mosley. They'd need a Cromwell
to save them, a Premier, who would take everything into
his own hands. For lack of this solution, the revolution will
sweep away everything.
It will be one of National Socialism's merits that it knew how
to stop the revolution at the proper moment. It's very nice to
see the people arise, but one must be a realist and go further
than phrases. Nobody any longer counts the revolutions that
have miscarried, or that degenerated for lack of being led. I've
not forgotten the difficulties I had to overcome in 1933 and
1934. Revolution opens a sluice-gate, and it's often impossible
to curb the masses one has let loose.
A revolution has three main objectives. First of all, it's a
matter of breaking down the partitions between classes, so as to
enable every man to rise. Secondly, it's a matter of creating a
standard of living such that the poorest will be assured of a
decent existence. Finally, it's a matter of acting in such a way
that the benefits of civilisation become common property.
The people who call themselves democrats blame us for our