This may or may not qualify as ASB. However, the idea came to me recently and I would like to throw it out for discussion.
Adolf Hitler never visited America. Neither did many of his closest advisors. Hitler was alternately praising and critical of the U.S. in his followup to Mein Kampf, but Hitler did not understand American culture except through second hand sources (films, books, visitors to Germany). He believed the U.S. would stay out of any war in Europe at first and later believed the Americans would not have the resolve for a long and bloody war. He totally underestimated American determination and industrial power.
Now, let us assume that in circa 1936, following the success of the Berlin Olympics, Hitler receives an invitation to visit the U.S. by the German Bund. Under pressure from such figures as Charles Lindbergh, President Roosevelt turns the invitation into an official invitation by the U.S. government. Hitler agrees and arranges to visit during the autumn of 1936.
Hitler arrives via the German zeppelin Hindenberg with him is Goering and a handful of German officials including Albert Speer. For the next month Hitler is hosted by FDR and several other groups and is conducted on a tour of the U.S. from coast to coast.
Hitler returns home with a greater understanding of the U.S. He now knows its strengths (he has seen first hand the skyscrapers of New York, the recently completed Hoover Dam, and several other wonders) and its weaknesses (he has seen the unemployment that still grips the nation and its desire to stay out of issues in Europe).
Here is my question. Having now seen for himself what the U.S. may be capable of what effect does this have in Hitler's future planning? How if at all will this affect World War II? How will Hitler's visit affect the U.S. and U.S. politics?
I await other's thoughts on these matters.
Geon