Nazi Racial Beliefs

The Aryan Race

A fundamental (core) principle that shaped Nazi policies was the purity of the Aryan race. But this meant that those who did not fit the Aryan ideal were heavily excluded.

The Aryan Race

Believed to be the perfect race, the Nazis stressed the inclusivity (including as many different people as possible) of the Aryans.
- But this meant that those who did not fit the Aryan ideal were heavily excluded.
The perfect Aryan was tall, blonde, blue eyed and athletic.
The Aryans were believed to be the ‘master race’.

SS ‘race farms’

A key group who expanded the Aryan race were the SS ‘race farms’.
- This was when SS men would deliberately have children with Aryan women.
Underneath the Aryan race were white Western Europeans.

The Nuremberg Laws and Aryans

From 1933, the Nazis began a racial policy to reduce the number of these untermenschen (sub-humans) who were "degenerates".
- Each group was targeted to a different extent.
In 1935, the Nuremberg Laws banned marriage or sexual relations between Aryans and non-Aryans.
- Any mixed-race children were sterilised (medically operated on so they could not have children).

Nazi Treatment of Slavs and Roma Gypsies

A fundamental (core) principle that shaped Nazi policies was the purity of the Aryan race. But this meant that those who did not fit the Aryan ideal were heavily excluded, particularly the 'untermenschen' (sub-humans).

'Untermenschen' - (sub-humans)

Beneath the Aryans were white Western Europeans and then the 'untermenschen' (sub-humans).
- In order of hierarchy, the Slavs were the top ‘sub-human’.
- Then it was black people.
- Underneath this were the ‘Roma’, also known as the gypsies.
- The lowest subhuman race was the Jews.

Policy towards the Slavs

The Slavs were made to feel uncomfortable in German society. They were constantly reminded that they were inferior.
- But there were not many policies directed at the Slavs.

Pre-war policy towards Roma gypsies

From 1933 onwards, gypsies were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
In 1938, all gypsies had to be registered and medically examined. If they failed this test (which was designed so that most did fail) then German citizenship was removed and they could no longer travel.

Wartime policy towards Roma gypsies

From 1939, gypsies were told they would be deported.
From 1940, gypsies were deported to labour camps. From there some went to Chelmno death camp.
From 1942, the Nazis ordered all gypsies to be deported.
By the end of the war, 85% of German gypsies were killed. This was 25% of the whole European Roma population.

The 'Undesirables'

A fundamental (core) principle that shaped Nazi policies was the purity of the Aryan race. But this meant that those who did not fit the Aryan ideal were heavily excluded. One of these groups were the 'undesirables'.

'Undesirables'

Aside from these groups, there were a number of ‘undesirables’ in German society who were excluded from the Aryan vision.
- These ‘undesirables’ included disabled people, homosexuals, beggars, socialists, and trade unionists.

Policy towards homosexuals, prostitutes and beggars

The Nazis also developed policies to deal with undesirables.
- Homosexual men, prostitutes and black people were sent to concentration camps to treat their ‘disorder’.
- Beggars were sent to do hard labour.

Policies towards the disabled

In 1933, the Law for the Prevention of Hereditary Diseased Offspring was passed.
- After this over 300,000 disabled people were sterilised (medically operated on so they could not have children).
By 1939, the Nazis began to use euthanasia (intentionally ending a life) to kill those with mental and physical disabilities.
- 100,000 people were secretly killed between 1939 and 1941.

1The Weimar Republic 1918-1929

1.1World War One

1.1.1WW1

1.1.2The Weimar Republic

1.1.3Early Challenges to Weimar

1.1.4Reparations & the Ruhr

1.1.5Weimar Recovery

1.1.6Weimar Living Standards

1.1.7Weimar Culture

1.1.8End of Topic Test - WW1 & Weimar

1.1.9Grade 9 - The Weimar Republic

2Hitler's Rise to Power 1919-1933

2.1Early Development of the Nazi Party

2.1.1Hitler & the Beginnings of the Nazi Party

2.1.2End of Topic Test - Start of the Nazi Party

2.2The Munich Putsch & the Lean Years

2.2.1The Munich Putsch

2.2.2The Lean Years, 1923-1929

2.2.3End of Topic Test - Putsch & Lean Years

2.2.4Grade 9 - Hitler's Rise to Power

2.3The Growth of Support for the Nazis

2.3.1The Impact of the Great Depression

2.3.2End of Topic Test - Great Depression

2.4How Hitler Became Chancellor

2.4.1Article 48 & Political Turmoil

2.4.2von Papen & Hindenburg's Pact

2.4.3End of Topic Test - Chancellory

2.4.4Grade 9 - How Hitler Became Chancellor

3Nazi Control & Dictatorship 1933-1939

3.1Creating a Dictatorship, 1933-1934

3.1.1The Rise of Hitler

3.1.2End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

3.2The Police State

3.2.1The Police State

3.2.2Repression & Concentration Camps

3.2.3The Nazis & Religion

3.2.4End of Topic Test - Police State

3.2.5Grade 9 - Dictatorship and Police State

3.3Controlling & Influencing Attitudes

3.3.1Propaganda & Censorship

3.3.2Nazi Art & Culture

3.3.3Church Opposition & Social Conformity

3.3.4Youth Opposition & the July Plot

3.3.5End of Topic Test - Controlling Attitudes

3.3.6Grade 9 - Controlling Attitudes

4Life in Nazi Germany 1933-1939

4.1Life in Nazi Germany

4.1.1Women in Nazi Germany

4.1.2Youths in Nazi Germany

4.1.3Employment & Living Standards

4.1.4End of Topic Test - Life in Nazi Germany

4.2The Persecution of Minorities

4.2.1Nazi Racial Beliefs

4.2.2The Persecution of the Jews

4.2.3The Death Camps

4.2.4End of Topic Test - Persecution

4.2.5Grade 9 - Life in Nazi Germany

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