Everything Everywhere Daily What Were The First and Second Reichs?
Jan 12, 2023
Dive into the intriguing history of the First and Second Reichs and discover their significance before Hitler's Third Reich. Unravel the meaning of 'Reich' across German history and its nationalist implications. Trace the evolution from the Holy Roman Empire to the German Empire and understand the pivotal Franco-Prussian War's role in unification. Debunk misconceptions around the idea of three Reichs and the controversial concept of a 'Fourth Reich.' Get ready for a captivating journey through Germany's complex past!
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Reich Means Empire Or Realm
- Reich in German primarily means 'empire' and can also mean 'realm'.
- Hitler used the term Drittes Reich to claim a new German empire rooted in past prestige.
Origins Of The Third Reich Phrase
- Arthur Moeller van den Bruck coined the term Das Dritte Reich in 1923 after WWI.
- He promoted a nationalist cultural revival that the Nazis later adopted into propaganda.
Holy Roman Empire As First Reich
- The First Reich in Nazi framing was the Holy Roman Empire led by Charlemagne from 800 to 1806.
- That empire considered itself a continuation of the Western Roman Empire, not a 'first' German Reich.
