101 years ago, on July 18, 1925, Nazi leader Adolf Hitler's book 'Mein Kampf' was published. It later became one of the most widely circulated political books of the 20th century, with over 12 million copies sold and distributed, benefiting from Hitler's rise to power and its transformation into a propaganda tool for the Nazi regime.

From Prison

The story of the book began after Adolf Hitler's attempted coup in Germany, known as the failed Beer Hall Putsch, which took place on November 8-9, 1923.

The attempt came at a time when Germany was experiencing extremely difficult economic and political conditions about five years after the end of World War I. The country suffered from massive inflation, rising prices, and unemployment, along with the repercussions of the Treaty of Versailles, which imposed huge financial reparations and harsh concessions on Germany to the victorious powers.

Amid these conditions, many extremist movements and parties emerged, most notably the Nazi Party led by Adolf Hitler. After the failed coup attempt, Hitler was arrested and then faced a public trial that helped increase his fame and polish his image among some Germans.

In early April 1924, he was sentenced to five years in prison, with the court approving the possibility of parole after nine months.

Adolf Hitler (archive photo)

Inside Prison

During his detention at Landsberg Prison between April and December 1924, Hitler began writing 'Mein Kampf,' dictating its content to his secretary Rudolf Hess, who was then one of the leading figures of the Nazi Party, while Hess handled the writing. Initially, Hitler chose a long title for the book: 'Four Years of Struggle Against Lies, Stupidity, and Cowardice.' However, the publisher found the title too lengthy and, after consulting with Hitler, suggested simply 'Mein Kampf.'

The book included part of Hitler's autobiography, along with his political ideas and ideological vision, before it was first published on July 18, 1925, 101 years ago.

Image of Hitler's cell (1)

Sales Leap

In its early years, 'Mein Kampf' did not achieve significant commercial success; demand was mostly limited to supporters of the Nazi Party, along with some opponents of Hitler's ideas.

But the landscape changed dramatically after Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in 1933. Sales of the book rose rapidly, and it became one of the most prominent propaganda tools of the Nazi regime.

From the mid-1930s, German authorities began giving a copy of the book to every newlywed couple. Teachers and officials in the Hitler Youth organization encouraged children to own and read it. State employees and workers also received free copies, while the book was also given as a gift to a number of factory owners in Germany.

Global Spread

The spread of 'Mein Kampf' was not limited to Germany; Hitler also sought to promote it abroad. In 1933, the book was translated into English for international distribution, and many revised editions later appeared.

Hitler gave copies of the book as gifts to a number of politicians and diplomats, including Italian dictator Benito Mussolini and Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, as well as several foreign ambassadors and diplomats in Germany.

Between 1925 and 1945, the number of copies sold or distributed of 'Mein Kampf' exceeded 12 million.

Mein Kampf - Adolf Hitler (archive photo)

Copyright

After Adolf Hitler's suicide in 1945, the publishing rights of 'Mein Kampf' transferred to the German state of Bavaria for 70 years, according to copyright laws in effect after the author's death.

At the end of 2015, the legal protection period expired, and the book's publishing rights entered the public domain, allowing its re-publication in several countries amid widespread debates about its historical and intellectual dimensions.

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