• Nazi Influence

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    Nazi influence extended into various aspects of society and ideology, deeply rooted in mysticism, racial purity, and ideological propaganda. Here are some key insights:

    1. Occult and Alternative Spirituality: Leading Nazis, particularly Rudolf Hess and Heinrich Himmler, were deeply involved in the occult and alternative spirituality. They established institutes to research parapsychology and were very interested in astrology, dowsing, and divination. This mystical nationalism aimed to reconnect with perceived mythical roots, often involving bizarre research into historical artifacts and a fascination with Eastern philosophies 1.

    2. Anti-Semitism and Influential Figures: Figures like Schoenara and Karl Lueger in early 20th-century Vienna heavily influenced Hitler’s anti-Semitic views. Schoenara's extreme antisemitism and Lueger's populist, yet virulently anti-Semitic policies, shaped the anti-Semitic ideology that Hitler later adopted and propagated 2.

    3. Racial Struggle Ideology: Hitler’s racial ideology was influenced by late 19th-century intellectual currents, particularly Darwinist ideas about struggle and survival. The Nazis considered their racism scientific, believing in a relentless racial struggle for existence, often using propaganda to stress the importance of racial purity and the elimination of perceived weaknesses 3.

    4. Propaganda and the Olympic Games: Hitler used events like the 1936 Olympics for propaganda, showcasing a sanitized image of Nazi Germany to the world. Leni Riefenstahl's film "Olympia" exemplifies this effort, blending classical aesthetics with Nazi ideals, masking the regime's brutal realities while leaving a lasting impact on sports presentation 4.

    5. Influence of Mussolini: Mussolini's march on Rome in 1922 significantly influenced Hitler, presenting a model for seizing power. The similar fascist tactics and symbols, like salutes and marches, were adopted by the Nazis, shaping their approach to power and governance 5.

    6. Racial Community and Fear: The concept of Volksgemeinschaft (racial community) underpinned Nazi ideology, with a focus on racial purity and the fear of contamination by inferior blood. This fear of dilution or extinction fueled extreme actions and propaganda aimed at maintaining a pure Aryan race 6.

    7. Complicity in Antisemitism: The implementation of the Nuremberg laws led to widespread complicity in antisemitism, as many ordinary citizens became involved in discriminatory practices, whether through professional duties or societal pressures. This widespread participation helped solidify antisemitic views within German society 7.

    These points illustrate how Nazi influence permeated various levels of society and ideology, using a blend of pseudoscience, mysticism, and ruthless propaganda.

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