Nazi Party

Definition

The Nazi Party, officially known as the National Socialist German Workers' Party (Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei or NSDAP), was a far-right political party in Germany that rose to power in the 1930s. The party's ideology was based on a combination of extreme nationalism, anti-Semitism, and the belief in the superiority of the Aryan race.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Nazi Party was founded in 1919 and initially gained support from disgruntled German citizens who were dissatisfied with the Treaty of Versailles and the Weimar Republic.
2. The party's rise to power was facilitated by the Great Depression, which led to high unemployment and economic instability in Germany, making the Nazi Party's promises of economic and social reform appealing to many.
3. Once in power, the Nazi Party quickly established a totalitarian regime, banning all other political parties and using propaganda, censorship, and violence to maintain control.
4. The Nazi Party's policies were based on a belief in the superiority of the Aryan race and the need to eliminate perceived threats, such as Jews, Slavs, and other minority groups, leading to the Holocaust and the genocide of millions of people.
5. The Nazi Party's aggressive foreign policy and military expansion, including the invasion of Poland in 1939, were key factors in the outbreak of World War II in Europe.

Review Questions

• Describe the key ideological beliefs and goals of the Nazi Party.
  • The Nazi Party's ideology was based on a belief in the racial superiority of the Aryan race, extreme nationalism, and anti-Semitism. The party's primary goals were to establish a totalitarian regime in Germany, eliminate perceived threats to the Aryan race, and expand German power and influence through military aggression. This led to the persecution and genocide of Jews, Slavs, and other minority groups, as well as the initiation of World War II in Europe.
• Explain how the Nazi Party's rise to power was facilitated by the economic and social conditions in Germany following the Great Depression.
  • The Great Depression had a severe impact on the German economy, leading to high unemployment and widespread dissatisfaction with the Weimar Republic. The Nazi Party's promises of economic and social reform, as well as their appeals to German nationalism and the belief in Aryan superiority, made them an attractive option for many disillusioned German citizens. The party's ability to capitalize on these conditions and their use of propaganda, censorship, and violence to eliminate political opposition allowed them to consolidate power and establish a totalitarian regime in Germany.
• Analyze the role of the Nazi Party's aggressive foreign policy and military expansion in the outbreak of World War II in Europe.
  • The Nazi Party's foreign policy was characterized by a desire to expand German power and influence, often through military force. The party's invasion of Poland in 1939, which was a key factor in the outbreak of World War II, was part of a broader strategy to establish German dominance in Europe and eliminate perceived threats to the Aryan race. The Nazi Party's use of military aggression and its disregard for international law and treaties played a crucial role in the escalation of tensions and the outbreak of the war, which ultimately led to the deaths of millions of people and the devastation of much of Europe.

Related terms

Adolf Hitler: The leader of the Nazi Party and the dictator of Germany from 1933 to 1945, who was responsible for the Holocaust and the initiation of World War II in Europe.

Aryan Race: The Nazi Party's belief in the racial superiority of the Aryan people, which was used to justify their persecution and genocide of Jews, Slavs, and other minority groups.

Totalitarianism: The political system established by the Nazi Party, which sought to control all aspects of German society and eliminate any opposition or dissent.