mmmmmmm?

[Anonymous]

Were Nazi Germany's anti-semetic policies purely political or was there a religious reason behind them?

Sorry if this offends(or if this is in the wrong place) but studying pre-war german politics and would appreciate your views

 

[Anonymous]

It has always been my understanding that the origins of the Nazi Parties policies on race lay in the various Volkish movements of the late eighteenth century. This not to say that anti semitism did not exist in Germany prior to this, as a ajor European countries have a legacy of Anti Jewish pogroms stretching back centuries. I am refering to the specific character of German Anti Semitism in the period in question.

"It was this racialism, the firm belief in the natural superiority of an allegedly Germanic race and in the great destiny of their Volk (people), that distinguished German right-wing extremism from that of Latin countries. It often went hand in hand with a veneration of 'blood and soil', with an Aryan mysticism, neo-paganism and a rejection of Christianity, which the more rationally minded French or Italians would have found rather ridiculous. So, of course, did many Germans - until these hairbrained schemes where translated into frightening reality inthe yers after 1933."
Carsten, F.L. "The Rise of Fascism", Univesity paperbacks, Methuen & Co limited, London, 1978, p31

Much as we see 'The New Age' now, there was similar set of movements and beliefs at play in Germany and Austria. Young people and radicals would 'drop out' of the authoritarian structures of German society and join communes ec, etc. Th Anti Semitism was based around a rejection of society as it was, capitalism and liberalism being 'Jewish' constructions. This of course came hand in hand with other 'New Age' ideas, of the kind that we are familiar with, many of the ideas and concepts that we see to day had their origin during that period. Jung for instance was exceptionaly influenced by this movement.

I half read a book recently tha explored this history but the authors name escapes me. It was called "The New Age".

I'm sure there are others who ca explain all this far better than me, over to you folks

 

[SmirnoffMule]

Mm, not really sure how to answer. Depends what you'd call Hitler's theories of racial supremecy. I suppose he thought it was scientific.
Good question, actually. I guess for a lot of people, it was religious. Some unpleasant Christians insist the Jews "killed Christ." But the Nazis considered the Jews to be a race, rather than a religion. Thus, they considered you a Jew if you had Jewish parents, even if you were an atheist, a converted Christian, or anything else.
And the Nazis weren't into religion, really. In Nazi Germany, the church was part of Hitler's plan for women (along with cooking and having a lot of Aryan babies), but devotion to the party should outweigh any devotion to the church.

I'd say, principly political. The Jews represented a social class that working class Germans resented. Unemployment was ridiculously high, and people were hungry, and stereotypically, the Jews were the business owners and the bankers that seemed to be getting fat off the decent people.
These businessmen could be conveniently lumped into one ethnic group and used as a scapegoat. I'm sure that religious suspicion attracted many people to the movement, though. It just helped to make the Jews stand out.

Now that I think about it, didn't Hitler consider the Aryans to be God's chosen?

There's an inconclusive answer for you! interesting question. I'm part way through a History degree, but I haven't studied the Nazis since GCSE so forgive the holes in my knowledge.

 

[lopaka]

I'd say both. In addition to what's been answred, all good points, I'd add that Martin Luther was a raving anti-Semite, which is one reason, aside from the very rare examples like Bonhoffer, there was virtually no objection from the church or religious leaders.

 

[Anonymous]

I'd agree it was a bit of both. Around the time, Zionists were going crazy for a Jewish homeland, whereas most Jews considered themselves German/French/Polish/Whatever Jews, basically saying that yes, their religion was Jewish, their nationality was [insert type here]. Zionism and Nazism unfortunately sound a bit similar when put like that, but there,of course the similarity ended. Nazis wanted 'em out; Zionists wanted 'em out and somewhere else.

As to the question of religion, Hitler was well on the way to establishing his own brand of religion, worshipping the full blooded Aryan. He had a ceremony every year honouring the memory of the six (?) Nazis shot at the rally he was arrested at, and all regimental flags were touched to the Nazi flag these 'martyrs' had bled on. On coming to power, he built a huge mausoleum affair for them, and held a weird ceremony with Hitler Youth etc all answering to their names, then the names of the dead Nazis would be read out with others answering for them. Very ceremonial and very religious.

Hitler also had plans under way to hijack Pope Pius XII and place a puppet pope in his place, to be Vicar of the Aryan Religion.