Three Stages of Radicalization

The Nazi regime could not act as it wished in its first years of power. There were three phases in the development of the Nazi regime:

1. The legal revolution: This was when Hitler depended on political allies and consolidated his power by legal means.
2. Creating the New Germany: By 1934, the Nazi regime was secure, but Hitler was still worried about public opinion. He avoided confronting powerful groups like the Armenian churches and knew that Germany was not yet ready for war.
3. The radicalization of the state: By the end of 1937, the Nazi regime was far stronger than it was in 1933. The economy had recovered, the SS was in complete control, and Hitler felt that Germany was ready for war. He took control of the army and let loose radical persecution of his racial enemies.

Social Darwinism

Social Darwinism was a theory widely discussed in 19th century Europe. Darwin's scientific principles of natural biological selection were adapted to justify racial superiority and the theory of eugenics. It justified European imperialism, but Hitler made use of it in his Nazi ideology. He viewed humanity as consisting of a hierarchy of races where Jews, black people, and slaves were inferior. Hitler believed the Aryan race was above all others, and that inferior races such as Jews were a deadly threat to the German Volk and had to be eliminated.

Volksgemeinschaft

The concept of the Volksgemeinschaft or the people's community was not inclusive of all people living in Germany. The concept of the national community was twisted by anti-Semitism and racial thinking. To qualify as a member, it was essential to be a true German, both in terms of loyalty and racial purity. Membership of the Volk was reserved for those of the Aryan race, those that were genetically healthy, socially efficient, and politically reliable.

Lebensraum

The Nazi idea of Lebensraum or living space was another example of an ideological concept being tested by anti-Semitism. It was not new or originated by Hitler and the Nazis. It had been proposed in the late 19th century to open up space for the expanding populations of the superior white race. In Germany, there was widespread support for the idea that the country was already overpopulated and farmers needed more land. Many argued that Germany's destiny lay in the east, conquering the supposedly inferior Slav peoples of Poland and the former Russian empire to gain access to fertile farmland and more materials. Lebensraum would provide a battleground for a war of racial annihilation, wiping out the inferior Slav races and smashing Bolshevism in Russia.

What is Social Darwinism?

The idea that certain races were better than others - misusing Darwin's principles of natural selection.

What was the Volksgemeinschaft?

The people's community.

What was Lebensraum?

Living space - going East to provide a battleground for a war of racial annihilation, wiping out the inferior Slav races and smashing Bolshevism in Russia.