Background and Publication Adolf Hitler first serialized the two parts of Mein Kampf (published in 1925 and 1926 in separate volumes) after his release from Landsberg Prison following the failed Beer Hall Putsch of 1923. On February 11, 1926, a single-volume edition combining the earlier parts appeared, bringing together Hitler’s autobiographical account and his political program in one book. The work was produced while Hitler consolidated leadership of the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) and sought to turn the movement into a mass political force. Contents and Themes Mein Kampf mixes autobiography with ideological exposition. Hitler recounts elements of his youth and his experiences in World War I, then sets out core tenets of his worldview: virulent antisemitism; the belief in racial hierarchy and Aryan supremacy; nationalism and revanchism aimed at overturning the Treaty of Versailles; the need for Lebensraum (expansion of German territory, particularly eastward); and an emphasis on the role of leadership and propaganda in political struggle. The book also outlines the NSDAP’s goals for reorganizing German society and state power. Reception and Distribution Initial sales were modest, largely confined to party members and sympathizers. Over the late 1920s and especially after the NSDAP’s rise to prominence, Mein Kampf’s distribution expanded. The work became central to Nazi propaganda and was promoted by party institutions; by the 1930s it was widely circulated in Germany, often purchased as a ceremonial or imposed gift. The book’s reach and influence grew as Hitler’s political fortunes rose, and it became a touchstone for those seeking to understand or justify Nazi policies. Impact and Historical Significance Mein Kampf is historically significant both as a primary source for Hitler’s ideology and as a document that foreshadowed policies implemented after 1933, including aggressive expansionism and genocidal antisemitism. Scholars use the text to trace how Hitler articulated aims that later informed Nazi state actions. However, the book should be read in context: it combines rhetorical argument, ideological assertion, and political mythmaking rather than careful policy detail. Its importance lies in revealing the intellectual contours and public messaging of National Socialism rather than serving as a technical manual. Contested Aspects and Scholarly Use Historians debate how literally to treat specific passages in Mein Kampf—whether they are programmatic plans, rhetorical provocations, or opportunistic exaggerations. Many passages clearly express intentions that align with later Nazi actions; other elements reflect propaganda and self-fashioning. As a source, Mein Kampf must therefore be used critically alongside archival records, speeches, party documents, and contemporary accounts. Aftermath Following the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, Mein Kampf’s status shifted from a party text to a widely disseminated ideological statement. Its contents influenced party cadres and informed public discourse under the regime. After World War II, publication and distribution of Mein Kampf were restricted in Germany and many other countries because of its extremist content; postwar scholarship and editions have aimed to provide annotated, critical contexts for study. Summary The February 11, 1926 single-volume publication of Mein Kampf consolidated Adolf Hitler’s earlier writings into a work that articulated his nationalist, racist, and expansionist vision. While its rhetorical quality and propaganda function are clear, historians treat it as one of several crucial sources for understanding the intellectual and political foundations of National Socialism.