Question

in what way did interior natural centres help in shaping the Nazi ideology

Answer 1

Adolf Hitler and his followers in the National Socialist German Workers’ Party (NSDAP) had a strong commitment to values and ideas. Under Hitler’s leadership the NSDAP developed its own ideology, which informed both its methods and objectives. They called this ideology National Socialism; today it is more commonly referred to as Nazism. Ideology seems central to the Nazi movement – however while Nazism revolved around some common ideas and prejudices, Nazi ideology was relatively fluid. The NSDAP had very few clear and concrete expressions of its ideology, only its 25 Points (drafted in 1920) and Hitler’s rambling memoir Mein Kampf (1924). In many respects, Nazi ideology was defined by Hitler himself. It was contained in his speeches, policy statements and orders. It could and did change over time, as Hitler’s objectives changed, and was not without its contradictions.

Nazism was one of three radical ideologies to appear in Europe in the wake of World War I. Fascism, often dubbed the ‘older brother’ of Nazism, first appeared in Italy during World War I. Devised largely by Benito Mussolini, fascism rejected socialism and democracy in favour of an authoritarian political and economic system, dominated by a single leader. Soviet socialism, a left wing ideology with elements of totalitarianism, emerged after the 1917 Bolshevik revolution in Russia. Nazism had some similarities to both, particularly fascism – but it was also a distinctly national phenomenon, derived from ideas, events and conditions that were peculiar to Germany. Nazi ideology was developed by intense nationalists whose only interests were the future of Germany and German-speaking Aryan people. The Nazis had no interest in starting an international movement, exporting their ideas to other countries or changing the world outside mainland Europe. Their chief concern was the restoration of German economic and military supremacy.

Hitler’s 1924 book Mein Kampf

The two cornerstone documents of Nazi ideology were the NSDAP’s 25 Points (1920) and Hitler’s autobiography, Mein Kampf (1924). Nazi ideas were also outlined or discussed, albeit briefly, in many of Hitler’s speeches. But none of these sources were constitutional in nature, nor did they offer much in the way of details or specifics about how Nazi ideas should work in practice. Hitler seemed to prefer that expressions of Nazi ideology were short, simple and broadly framed. At several times in the 1920s Hitler resisted proposals to expand or re-draft the party’s 25 Points, declaring them to be “inviolable”. This was probably a deliberate strategy: because Nazi ideology was only ever outlined vaguely or in general terms, Hitler was free to interpret or re-invent it as he saw fit. Yet despite this fluidity Nazi had some core tenets that did not change:

Authoritarianism. The Nazis desired strong government and extensive state power. They believed that government could not function effectively if it lacked the means to impose itself on society and enforce its policies. Decisions should made by a leader with almost absolute power (a fuhrer). All political authority and sovereignty rested with this leader, who should be trusted by the people to make important decisions on their behalf (fuhrerprinzip). No other political parties or organisations other than the NSDAP could be tolerated. Other groups with political influence, such as unions or churches, would be restricted or abolished.

Totalitarianism. To the Nazis, state power had few limits and could extend into all aspects of German political, social and cultural life. They believed it was the government’s duty not just to devise policy but to shape, co-ordinate and regulate society, for the betterment of the nation. A totalitarian government must have the authority to control the press and unions; restrict civil liberties and freedoms; manage education and employ propaganda. Liberal freedoms from government power – such as civil liberties, individual rights and freedoms – were considered irrelevant and subordinate to the interests of the state.

Before total war, Nazism was a pot pourri. Racialism and nationalism jostled shoulders with the socialistic revolutionary conservatism of many members of the Mittelstand (middle class). Romantic ideas came from right-wing youth groups. Hitler could utter the gospel of anti-capitalism to workers and the gospel of profits to businessmen. It was a rag-bag of inconsistent and incoherent ideas.
Walter Phillips, historian