Short Note on Nazism
The short note on nazism explains about nazism and the rise of Adolf Hitler in Germany. When we define nazi it relates to the Nazi Party that propagates the ideology of Nazism or Nationalist Socialism in Germany. These national socialists have different political views and beliefs. Adolf Hitler the autocratic dictator started the concept of nazism in the 1920s that lasted till the end of World War II in 1945. It shed light on the political scenario of Germany and its involvement in World War II that has major impacts on the history of the world. Nazism, the political ideology of Hilter caused distress to many people in his country.
[Image will be Uploaded Soon]
Brief Note on Nazism and Rise of Adolf Hitler
Nazism and the Rise of Adolf Hitler relate to a series of significant events that marks the history of Germany and the world. So what is nazism? It is an ideology that is promoted by the Nazi Party of Germany. When we read about nazism, it states that the Aryan race is superior and all Jewish people need to die. All anti-nazism activities were banned and books from Jewish authors like Einstein and Sigmund Freud were also burnt. To spread their propaganda, schools become an important medium in spreading the value and meaning of nazism. Adolf Hitler becomes a popular leader of the Nazi party which became the largest political party in Germany. On 30th January 1933, President Von Hindenburg made Hitler the Chancellor of Germany. Thereafter, Hilter constitutionally started exercising his dictatorial powers without any legal objection.
Who is Adolf Hitler?
Adolf Hitler was born in the small town of Braunau am Inn situated in Upper Austria on the border of Germany and Austria. He was born on 20th April 1889. Hitler dreamt of becoming an artist so he applied at the Vienna fine arts but was rejected twice. Shortly, after his parents’ death, he moved to Vienna. From there onwards he began his political aspirations of uniting Germany and Austria. Soon after this, he moved to Germany in 1913. Hitler was loyal to the nation of Germany. In World War I of 1914, when Germany needed soldiers, Hitler quickly enlisted his name in the army. He was renowned for his bravery and served in both Germany and France. He got injured in the war of Somme and also in the British gas attack. During this time, Germany surrendered in World War I. This made Hilter and some people angry who felt betrayed by the defeat of Germany under the rule of Jews and the Socialist Party. Thereafter Adolf Hitler rose to power in the political scenario of Germany.
Deterioration of Economic Condition of Germany after Signing the Peace Treaty
After signing the peace treaty, the economic conditions of Germany deteriorated under the Weimar Republic. Germany was already under the burden of heavy debts and had to pay the Allied Forces in gold. This drained the coffers of the Weimar Republic. In 1923, when Germany refused to pay, France occupied its Ruhr region, the main industrial belt of Germany. The economic condition deteriorated so much that Germany had to print paper currency notes in huge amounts which lead to hyperinflation. During this time, America came to its rescue to provide short-term loans. However, after 1929 the loans were stopped and industries all over the world declined heavily. The economy of Germany was hit the worst. The middle class lived under fear and thousands of working-class became unemployed.
The Incident of the Holocaust
Hilter and his nazism ideology were based on a racist mentality. He blamed the Jews for everything and believed they were beyond purification. Such was the level of hatred that he wanted them to die. This made him carry out murder plans in a cold-blooded systematic manner. The Gestapo police searched for the Jews and deported them to concentration camps and gas chambers. This brutal massacre and the killing of Jews is known as the Holocaust.
Did You Know?
Adolf Hitler committed suicide and died after he came to know that Germany could not resist the Allied Forces. With a gunshot on 30th April 1945, Hilter committed suicide. The man who gave so many lectures on heroism, bravery, and building a powerful nation succumbed to fear and shot himself to death.
FAQs on Nazism
1. What is Nazism?
Nazism is the political ideology associated with the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nazi Party), led by Adolf Hitler. Its core principles included extreme nationalism, the belief in a superior 'Aryan' master race, and virulent anti-Semitism. A central tenet was the geopolitical concept of Lebensraum, or 'living space,' which justified territorial expansion. The ideology was totalitarian, rejecting democracy, liberalism, and communism, and sought to establish complete state control over all aspects of society.
2. Why did Nazism become so popular in Germany during the 1930s?
The rise in popularity of Nazism was due to several factors converging after World War I:
- Political Instability: The new Weimar Republic was weak and faced constant opposition, leading to a loss of public faith in democracy.
- Economic Crisis: The Great Depression devastated the German economy, causing mass unemployment and hyperinflation. The Nazi party promised economic stability and jobs.
- The Treaty of Versailles: Many Germans felt humiliated by the harsh terms of the treaty, which imposed heavy reparations and territorial losses. Hitler promised to defy the treaty and restore national pride.
- Propaganda and Charisma: Hitler was a powerful orator, and the Nazis used sophisticated propaganda to create a cult of personality around him, portraying him as Germany's saviour.
For a detailed timeline of these events, you can refer to the Class 9 History Chapter 3 Notes on Nazism and the Rise of Hitler.
3. What were the main features of the Nazi government after it came to power?
Once in power, the Nazi government established a totalitarian state characterized by:
- One-Party Rule: All other political parties were banned, leaving the Nazi Party as the sole legal party.
- Abolition of Civil Rights: Freedom of speech, press, and assembly were eliminated.
- State-Controlled Propaganda: The state, under Joseph Goebbels, controlled all forms of media to promote Nazi ideology and suppress dissent.
- Use of Terror: The regime used secret police forces like the Gestapo and the SS, along with concentration camps, to terrorise and eliminate political opponents and 'undesirables'.
- State Control over Economy: The government directed the economy towards rearmament and public works to achieve its political and military goals.
4. What was Hitler's ultimate goal for Germany and the world?
Hitler's primary goals were driven by the core tenets of Nazism. He aimed to establish a 'Thousand-Year Reich' by:
- Uniting all German-speaking people into a single, powerful empire.
- Acquiring Lebensraum (living space) by expanding eastward, primarily by conquering Poland and the Soviet Union.
- Achieving racial purity by systematically eliminating Jews through the Holocaust and persecuting other groups deemed 'undesirable' like the Roma, homosexuals, and people with disabilities.
- Overturning the Treaty of Versailles and re-establishing Germany as the dominant military and political power in Europe.
5. What is the difference between Nazism and Fascism?
While Nazism is a specific form of fascism, they have key differences. Both ideologies are totalitarian, ultra-nationalistic, and anti-democratic. However, the central, defining feature of Nazism was its extreme emphasis on biological racism and the idea of an 'Aryan' master race. Its policies, especially the Holocaust, were driven by this racial ideology. In contrast, while Italian Fascism under Mussolini was nationalistic and authoritarian, its primary focus was on the glorification of the state and national identity, rather than a biologically determined racial hierarchy. For further comparison, you can read about how Mussolini aligned with Hitler.
6. How did the Treaty of Versailles contribute to the rise of Nazism?
The Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1919, played a crucial role in creating fertile ground for Nazism. It imposed harsh conditions on Germany, including the 'War Guilt Clause' which blamed Germany for starting World War I, severe military restrictions, loss of territories, and crippling financial reparations. This led to widespread resentment, economic instability, and a sense of national humiliation among Germans. Hitler and the Nazi Party skilfully exploited these grievances, promising to tear up the treaty and restore Germany's honour, which became a powerful and popular message that helped them gain mass support.
7. Beyond the Jewish people, what other groups were persecuted by the Nazi regime?
While the Holocaust remains the most infamous of Nazi atrocities, the regime's ideology of racial and social purity led them to target many other groups. These included:
- The Roma (Gypsies): Persecuted on racial grounds and murdered in large numbers.
- Political Opponents: Communists, socialists, and trade unionists were among the first to be imprisoned in concentration camps.
- People with Disabilities: Individuals with physical or mental disabilities were systematically murdered in the 'T-4' euthanasia program.
- Homosexuals: Targeted for being 'deviant' and not contributing to the Aryan birth rate.
- Jehovah's Witnesses: Persecuted for their refusal to accept the authority of the state or swear allegiance to Hitler.
You can find textbook questions and answers on these policies in the NCERT Solutions for Nazism and the Rise of Hitler.
