Racial Policy

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).
- Each group was targeted to a different extent.
In 1936, 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

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' but this is an offensive term.
- 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 the Roma

From 1933 onwards, Roma were arrested and sent to concentration camps.
In 1938, all Roma 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 the Roma

From 1939, it was decided all Roma would be deported.
From 1940, Roma were deported to labour camps. From there some went to Chelmno death camp.
By the end of the war, 85% of German Roma 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 and beggars

The Nazis also developed policies to deal with undesirables.
- Homosexual men 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.

1Dictatorship

1.1Hitler & The Nazi Party in 1933

1.1.1The Origins of the Nazi Party

1.1.2Hitler & The Growth of the Party

1.1.3The 1932 Election

1.2Establishing Dictatorship, 1933-1934

1.2.1Establishing Dictatorship

1.2.2Achieving Total Power, July 1933 - August 1934

1.2.3End of Topic Test - Dictatorship

1.2.4Grade 9 - Dictatorship

2Control & Opposition

2.1The Machinery of Terror

2.1.1Police State & Legal System

2.1.2The Gestapo & SS

2.1.3Concentration Camps

2.1.4End of Topic Test - Control & Opposition

2.2Nazi Propaganda

2.2.1The Effectiveness of Nazi Propaganda

2.3Opposition to Nazi Rule

2.3.1The Left

2.3.2Church Leaders

2.3.3Youth Groups

2.3.4Support for Nazi Rule

2.3.5End of Topic Test - Propaganda & Opposition

2.3.6Grade 9 - Propaganda & Opposition

3Changing Lives, 1933-1939

3.1Work & Home

3.1.1Work

3.1.2Home

3.2The Lives of Young People

3.2.1Education

3.2.2Youth Movements

3.3Nazi Racial Policy

3.3.1Racial Policy

3.3.2Persecution of the Jews

3.3.3End of Topic Test 0 Changing Lives

3.3.4Grade 9 - Changing Lives

4Germany in War

4.1The Impact of War

4.1.1Impact of the War Economy on the People

4.1.2Impact of Total War on the People

4.2Growing Opposition from the German People

4.2.1Opposition from the People

4.2.2Opposition from the Army

4.2.3End of Topic Test - Germany in War

4.2.4Grade 9 - Germany in War

5Occupation

5.1Nazi Rule in Eastern and Western Europe

5.1.1The Start of World War 2

5.1.2Western Europe

5.1.3Eastern Europe

5.1.4End of Topic Test - Occupation

5.2The Final Solution

5.2.1Ghettos & Executions

5.2.2Death Camps

5.2.3End of Topic Test - The Final Solution

5.3Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.1Collaboration

5.3.2Accommodation

5.3.3Resistance

5.3.4End of Topic Test - Responses to Nazi Rule

5.3.5Grade 9 - Occupation

Jump to other topics