Nazism, officially known as National Socialism, is an ideology and regime associated with the dictatorship of Adolf Hitler and the German Nazi Party, which held power in Germany from 1933 to 1945. This ideology is characterized by a combination of fascist, racist, anti-Semitic, and nationalist beliefs. At its core, Nazism promoted the supremacy of the Aryan race, claiming that Germans were superior to all other races. It vehemently opposed democracy, communism, and liberalism, instead advocating for a totalitarian government under the Führerprinzip, where the leader has absolute power. Economic policies under Nazism were geared toward autarky and extensive government intervention, aiming to achieve a war-ready economy while reducing unemployment.
The rise of Nazism was marked by the aftermath of World War I and the severe economic hardships of the Weimar Republic, including hyperinflation and the Great Depression. Hitler's adept use of propaganda, charismatic oratory skills, and promises to revoke the Treaty of Versailles resonated with the nationalistic and vexed German populace. The Enabling Act of 1933 marked a pivotal point, granting Hitler dictatorial powers and dismantling the Weimar Constitution. This allowed the Nazis to implement Gleichschaltung, a series of political maneuvers that established a totalitarian regime by coordinating all aspects of society under Nazi control.
Central to Nazi ideology was extreme anti-Semitism, which led to the systemic persecution and annihilation of Jews. This culminated in the Holocaust, where six million Jews were murdered in concentration camps across Europe. Other groups targeted by Nazi racial policy included Romani people, disabled individuals, Polish and Soviet civilians, communists, socialists, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and homosexuals. The Nazis sought to purify the German race through these brutal eugenics policies, aiming to eradicate what they considered undesirable elements within the population.
World War II was directly influenced by Nazi expansionist policies, initiated by the invasion of Poland in 1939. Hitler's quest for Lebensraum ("living space") intended to assert German dominance in Europe, leading to a war that would eventually encompass multiple continents and result in millions of deaths. The defeat of the Nazis in 1945 by Allied forces ended Hitler's regime and marked a significant turning point in world history. The Nuremberg Trials subsequently held Nazi leaders accountable, setting precedents in international law. Despite the fall of Nazism, its heinous legacy continues to serve as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by totalitarian ideologies and racial hatred.