What is Nazism?

Nazism is a form of fascism which developed in Germany during the interwar period and persisted until the end of World War II. It was based on a virulent form of xenophobic nationalism, an extreme form of right-wing politics and racial superiority. Nazis were propagandists who sought to spread the ideology of the Third Reich to other parts of the world.

Under its leader, Adolf Hitler, the Nazi Party or NSDAP (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei) held control of Germany from 1933 until 1945. Nazis adopted a host of official symbols and slogans, including the black-and-white swastika and the claim that the Third Reich was “the thousand-year Reich.” The party was known for its aggressive expansionist policies and aggression against other nations, as well as its domestically oppressive policies against opponents and marginalized groups, especially Jews.

Nazism’s Ideology

At its core, Nazism is defined by its xenophobic and far-right nationalist vision of a racially “pure” Germany. The party’s core belief was that the world’s problems could be solved only through the complete subordination of all diversity to a powerful and unified German people led by a single leader. This dominance was to be achieved by eliminating political and religious opposition and by creating an “Aryan” master race.

The Nazi understanding of race was very simplistic, reducing the concept down to just one single factor, namely being of “Aryan” racial stock. Those outside this group were considered to be sub-human, inferior, and a threat to the purity of the German people. Nazis believed that the Germanic people were destined to rule the world and create a new order for humanity.

Racism and Persecution

Racism was the foundation of Nazism. Nazis sought to eliminate the “sub-human” and “racially impure” from the German population. This was done through a process of legal and informal discrimination, exile, forced migration, and extermination. The Jews, among others, were the primary target of Nazi animosity. Jews were systematically persecuted and, eventually, killed.

The persecution of Jews and other “sub-humans” was one of the most terrible crimes of the Third Reich. Jews were prohibited from living in certain areas and were subjected to police surveillance, expropriation of their property and rights, a ban on mingling with “Aryans,” and eventual extermination. Many were subjected to concentration camps where they were worked to death or sent to death camps where they were killed immediately.

Legacy of Nazism

Nazism has been widely condemned today and is universally considered to be a brutal and oppressive ideology which caused untold suffering and death. The legacy of Nazism is one of hatred, intolerance, racism, and intolerance to other nations and cultures. It is a warning about the dangers of extremist ideology and a reminder of the importance of tolerance, understanding, and respect for human rights and dignity.