Nazism

+The origins of Nazism can be traced to post-[World War I](/wiki/world_war_i) Germany, a period marked by economic hardship, political instability, and resentment over the Treaty of Versailles. The Nazi Party, led by [Adolf Hitler](/wiki/adolf_hitler), emerged from this volatile environment, gaining support by promoting a radical nationalist agenda. The name "Nazi" is an abbreviation of "Nationalsozialist" ([National Socialist](/wiki/national_socialism)), reflecting the party's full name. In contrast, "Sozi" was a common, often derogatory, abbreviation for "Sozialdemokrat" ([Social Democrat](/wiki/social_democrat)), a term used to refer to members of [social democratic](/wiki/social_democracy) parties. During this period, the party attempted the failed [Beer Hall Putsch](/wiki/beer_hall_putsch) in 1923, a significant event in its early history.

+Central to Nazi ideology was a virulent doctrine of [racial supremacy](/wiki/racial_supremacy), which posited an "Aryan" master race and condemned other groups as inferior. While ideas of a "chosen nation" or distinct group identity have historical precedents, Nazism uniquely combined this with a pseudo-scientific biological [racialism](/wiki/racialism) and an exterminationist intent. This differed significantly from religious or cultural concepts of a "chosen people," such as those associated with [Zionism](/wiki/zionism), which are based on a shared heritage or religious belief rather than biological superiority or a doctrine of annihilation. This was primarily directed at Jewish people, with [antisemitism](/wiki/antisemitism) being a fundamental and driving force, leading to systematic persecution, dehumanization, and ultimately [genocide](/wiki/genocide). Romani people and Slavs were also targeted as racially inferior.

+Central to Nazi ideology was a virulent doctrine of [racial supremacy](/wiki/racial_supremacy), which posited an "Aryan" master race and condemned other groups as inferior. While ideas of a "chosen nation" or distinct group identity have historical precedents, Nazism uniquely combined this with a pseudo-scientific biological [racialism](/wiki/racialism) and an exterminationist intent. This was primarily directed at Jewish people, with [antisemitism](/wiki/antisemitism) being a fundamental and driving force, leading to systematic persecution, dehumanization, and ultimately [genocide](/wiki/genocide). Romani people and Slavs were also targeted as racially inferior.

+Following the Beer Hall Putsch, the Nazi Party rebuilt and expanded its influence. Hitler used his trial to gain national notoriety and re-established the party on a legal footing. Through effective [propaganda](/wiki/propaganda), mass rallies, and the paramilitary intimidation of the [SA](/wiki/sa) (Sturmabteilung), the party rapidly grew. The onset of the [Great Depression](/wiki/great_depression) in 1929 further fueled their rise, as widespread unemployment and economic despair pushed many Germans towards extremist parties. The Nazis exploited this instability, promising national revival and blaming internal and external enemies. They gained significant electoral successes in the Reichstag elections of the early 1930s, becoming the largest party by 1932, which paved the way for Hitler's appointment as Chancellor.

+At its core, Nazism was defined by several key tenets that drove its political agenda and actions.

+### Racial Supremacy and Antisemitism

+Central to Nazi ideology was a virulent doctrine of [racial supremacy](/wiki/racial_supremacy), which posited an "Aryan" master race and condemned other groups as inferior. This was primarily directed at Jewish people, with [antisemitism](/wiki/antisemitism) being a fundamental and driving force, leading to systematic persecution, dehumanization, and ultimately [genocide](/wiki/genocide). Romani people and Slavs were also targeted as racially inferior.

+### Nationalism and Lebensraum

+Nazism championed extreme [nationalism](/wiki/nationalism) and the concept of the German "Volksgemeinschaft" (people's community), a racially pure and unified national body. This ideology strove for territorial expansion and [Lebensraum](/wiki/lebensraum) (living space) in Eastern Europe, seen as essential for the survival and prosperity of the "Aryan" race.

+### 1918-1923: Beer Hall Putsch

+The origins of Nazism can be traced to post-[World War I](/wiki/world_war_i) Germany, a period marked by economic hardship, political instability, and resentment over the Treaty of Versailles. The Nazi Party, led by [Adolf Hitler](/wiki/adolf_hitler), emerged from this volatile environment, gaining support by promoting a radical nationalist agenda. During this period, the party attempted the failed [Beer Hall Putsch](/wiki/beer_hall_putsch) in 1923, a significant event in its early history.

+### 1923-1933

+Following the Beer Hall Putsch, the Nazi Party rebuilt and expanded its influence. Through propaganda, political maneuvering, and paramilitary intimidation, the party rapidly grew, exploiting economic hardship and political instability to gain widespread support.

+### 1933-1945

+## Ideology

+At its core, Nazism was defined by extreme [nationalism](/wiki/nationalism) and the concept of the German "Volksgemeinschaft" (people's community), striving for territorial expansion and [Lebensraum](/wiki/lebensraum) (living space) in Eastern Europe. Central to this was a virulent doctrine of racial supremacy, which posited an "Aryan" master race and condemned other groups, especially Jews, Romani people, and Slavs, as inferior. [Antisemitism](/wiki/antisemitism) was a fundamental and driving force of the ideology, leading to systematic persecution. Nazism also championed [totalitarianism](/wiki/totalitarianism), demanding absolute obedience to the state and its leader, [Adolf Hitler](/wiki/adolf_hitler), suppressing all political dissent and embracing strong anti-communism and anti-democratic sentiments.

+## History

+The origins of Nazism can be traced to post-[World War I](/wiki/world_war_i) Germany, a period marked by economic hardship, political instability, and resentment over the Treaty of Versailles. The Nazi Party, led by [Adolf Hitler](/wiki/adolf_hitler), emerged from this volatile environment, gaining support by promoting a radical nationalist agenda. Through propaganda, political maneuvering, and paramilitary intimidation, the party rapidly grew. In 1933, Hitler was appointed Chancellor, quickly dismantling the [Weimar Republic](/wiki/weimar_republic) and establishing a totalitarian dictatorship.

+Once in power, the Nazis implemented policies based on racial ideology, particularly [antisemitism](/wiki/antisemitism) and the concept of an "Aryan" master race. They systematically persecuted Jews, Romani people, Slavs, homosexuals, disabled people, and political opponents. The regime also pursued aggressive [expansionism](/wiki/expansionism), culminating in the invasion of Poland in 1939, which triggered [World War II](/wiki/world_war_ii). During the war, the Nazi regime orchestrated the [Holocaust](/wiki/holocaust), the systematic [genocide](/wiki/genocide) of approximately six million Jews, alongside millions of other victims. Nazism's rule ended with Germany's defeat by the Allies in 1945.

+Nazism was a far-right, [totalitarian](/wiki/totalitarianism) political ideology and practices associated with the Nazi Party in Germany. It championed extreme nationalism, racial supremacy, and [antisemitism](/wiki/antisemitism), leading to the systematic persecution and murder of millions.

+## See also

+- [World War II](/wiki/world-war_ii)

+- [Holocaust](/wiki/holocaust)

+- [Genocide](/wiki/genocide)