The Rest Is History 295: The Rise of the Nazis (Part 1)
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Jan 16, 2023 The discussion dives into the origins of Nazism, exploring its complex historical background. Key factors include the aftermath of World War I and societal instability in post-war Germany. Insights on early racial ideologies and the influence of Darwinism uncover how aggressive nationalism took root. The speakers also reflect on Hitler's formative years and the antisemetic climate in Vienna that shaped his beliefs. The rise of radical ideologies in a tumultuous political landscape highlights the paradox of a democracy being used to seize power.
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Hygiene and Eugenics
- Late 19th-century focus on hygiene extended to social and racial hygiene.
- Eugenics, popular across the political spectrum, aimed to breed out perceived defects.
WWI's Impact on Germany
- WWI significantly impacted Germany, with casualties, a blockade, and economic hardship.
- This led to scapegoating of Jews and a search for explanations for the defeat.
Hitler's Despair
- Hitler, blinded in WWI, heard a pastor announce Germany's defeat and the Kaiser's abdication.
- Overwhelmed, Hitler wept, feeling betrayed by the "November criminals."