NAZISM EDUCATION

Education was a fundamental pillar of the Nazi regime. It was used to indoctrinate the future soldiers to combat inferior races. The level of barbarity they had is unreachable in all the human history. The mind that these soldiers had was a result of the way they were educated in the schools of the Third Reich. Teachers used Nazis as an example of life for all people; making the future members of the Hitler’s Youth.

In a book written by Guido Knopp, Hitler's children said: "In schools, teachers were suspended from democratic, retired or transferred to insignificant positions and the 'old fighters' of the party amounted to Ministry of Education, to directors and senior inspectors of education”. The objective of the German education was to create in the Third Reich factors that were needed, like following the basis of Nazism ideals, hating the “inferior” races and fortifying the physic aspect which was essential to be a good & strong soldier. Teachers taught children that Jews were bad and poor people, getting them to isolate themselves in their way of thinking and ignoring the positive way of seeing the reality of our world. The indoctrination is clear; the goal was to create a Reich that would last a thousand years and to form young people who will lead in the future.

Children and young people leaved the school in their spare time to attend the centers of the Hitler Youth which then became mandatory for young Aryans and continued the process of indoctrination with the aim of creating fanatic soldiers. The oath of allegiance that any member of the Hitler Youth had been: "I solemnly promise to the Führer Adolf Hitler faithfully and selflessly serve the Hitler Youth. I promise to always act for the unity and fellowship of the German youth. Promise obedience to the leader of the Reich Youth and all the leaders of the Hitler Youth. I swear to God, with our flag, I always try to make myself worthy of it.”

Also, it is important to know the point of view that Hitler had of this type of learning. In the book he wrote called “My Fight”, he mentioned: “(...) your objective is, first, in being physically fit men in the background is development of mental faculties and this in turn in a prominent place, character education and especially the promotion of strong will and decision, accustomed to educating gladly take responsibility for their actions, only after all is what comes to scientific literacy (...)”

All of these examples noticeably show that the need for human rights education was very significant in every aspect of the Nazism formation. Adolf Hitler and his use of the values ​​of hate and war, is more need education to have the principles of peace and respect for the dignity and rights of others.

Made by: Camila Acuña

IMPORTANT HISTORY SAYINGS...

"The Nazi party should not become a constable of public opinion, but must dominate it. It must not become a servant of the masses, but their master!"

Adolf Hitler

"There must be no majority decisions, but only responsible people, and the word 'council' must be restored to its original meaning. Surely every man will have advisers by his side, but the decision will be made by one man".

Adolf Hitler

“The one absolute aim of female education must be with a view to the future mother"

Adolf Hitler

RELIGION OF NAZISM

Nazism was an ideology which appeared in Germany on the 20^th century, around the Second World War. To get to know this philosophy, it is important to learn about its creator. Adolf Hitler was an idolater, worshiper of idols and Gods of nation-reference to race. He replaced the cures for hierarchs, and changed the Christian cross symbol for the swastika instead. Hitler wrote a book called “My Fight” which replaced The Bible and formed a strong impact in his followers: the Nazis.

To understand the origins of Nazism, it is necessary to focus on Hitler’s childhood. When he was a humble Austrian child, his father Alois whipped him constantly and the only love he received was from his mother, who also was often beaten by his father. Afterward he told his secretary, "I took the decision not to mourn anymore when my father whipped me. A few days later I had the opportunity to test my will. My mother, frightened, hid in front of the door. As for me, I counted silently the blows of the stick which lashed my butt.” Hitler stated that the cause of his neutral deficit and the way he acted was a rebellion against the hatred he had for his father, who wanted him to be a functionary, whereas Hitler wanted to become a painter; but finally he became no more than an abominable killer. That was the reason of Hitler’s selfish and anti-sentimental personality.

Hitler and the Nazi leaders used Christian and pagan symbolism in their propaganda to the German people, but there is still in discussion if Hitler considered whether Christian, pagan or any other faith. Some historians have described him as an occultist, while other authors have emphasized that he belonged to the Christian doctrine. Yet, Hitler assured to be God’s right hand to make justice: "I am convinced that I act as an agent of our Creator. By fighting the Jews I am doing the Lord's will."

The majority of Germans and Nazis were Catholic, although they had been affected by multiple ideas where it was said that the Aryan race was the highest and which govern everything, so they used the cross aria. In other words, they did everything that someone said it was Aryan and took what suited them. It was similar to the Sacred Inquisition.

In a way, the religion of Nazism also promoted racism. Nazis thought that Jews shouldn’t be German citizens and immigration must be stopped. The objective of the National Socialism was to make traditional Christianity disappear, changing it into a radical revolution with non-denominational form of Christianity which emphasized Christ as an active fighter.

The Pope had approved Hitler, but the Catholic Church was divided in two: the ones who supported Hitler demands; and on the other hand Hitler’s opponents. Because Christians defended their faith and followed their values (which didn’t represent Hitler’s form of acting and governing), they were persecuted and assassinated. A curious fact is that Hitler had Jewish ancestors, by his paternal grandmother.

Finally, we can conclude that Nazis were betrayed Catholics, because they didn’t practice it correctly and wanted to create a new religion based on Hitler’s idea. At first the Pope and Germans supported him because he didn’t appear to be a bad person, but then they discovered facts that showed who he really was (for example the Holocaust which was supposedly secret) and stopped doing it.

Made by: Camila Acuña

Political ideas in the origins of Nazism and Hitler

Why an ideology that has been so destructive received the support of the people?

Nazism was originated in the 20^th century as a political philosophy based on theories of racial superiority and military dominance that grew out of the economic depression in Germany in the wake of World War I. This was the moment in which was signed the Treaty of Versailles (1919). Germany was still with a feeling of revenge, lack of credibility and had to pay for the defeat in the First World War, this led to an economic crisis and a weak republic in Germany. The Nazi Party appeared as an answer towards the unhappiness of the German people. It was easy for a strong leader to emerge, develop his ideas and become very popular. In this period of time appeared Adolf Hitler with a new brutal type of totalitarian socialism that had roots in the 19^th century. Hitler was born in Austria. In 1913 he moved to Munich and joined the German army when war broke out in 1914. He was a politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party. He was chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945 and dictator of Nazi Germany from 1934 to 1945.

Nazism advocated an anti-Semitism and anti-Marxism position.  What is anti-Semitism and anti-Marxism? Anti-Semitism means that they have extreme hate over Semitic people, in this case Jewish. As we know, Jews were considered inferior and non-German people who made Hitler wanted to eliminate them. They blamed Jews for communism and the failure of World War I. Also the Nazi Party had and anti-Marxist position because they couldn´t tolerate or accept communism. Communism was seen as a radicalism in which no leader is allowed. Hitler believed communists wanted to have control of everything reason why there were seen as a threat. Also Hitler supported the nationalism ideas, to have and strong feeling to Germany and autarky.

Hitler was ready for a totalitarian dictatorship. He started his reign with some political ideas liked expansionism. Expansionism consists of expansionist policies of governments and states, refers to the doctrine of a state expanding its territorial usually, though not necessarily, by means of military aggression. Hitler´s political ideology blamed Germany's parliamentary government for many of the nation's ills and wrote that he would destroy that form of government.

Many historians have asserted that Hitler's essential character can be discovered in Mein Kampf. In it, he categorized human beings by their physical. In this book Hitler talks about future plans for Germany and general ideas, politics and race. Also his views were more or less formed during the writing of this book when his early political career was starting.

So, Hitler was a good or bad influence for the German people?

It is important to understand that Hitler was characterized by the feeling of resentment he had of losing World War I and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. He imposes a dictatorship form of government in which he was a single leader with complete power.  It is true that as he was very radical his methods were not always the best and sometimes include violence. But Hitler was the head of the state, invested with confidence of the majority of the Germans, who owned him absolute obedience. He appeared in such a great context that what easy for him to gain followers. Germans were searching for a solution to the entire crisis and problems Germany had. Nazism is a variety of fascism that incorporates biological racism and anti-Semitism. Hitler was at the center of the founding of this ideology and the starter of World War II.

Written by: Paula Arciniega

Lenin establishment of communism in the birth of the USSR

Who was Lenin? Was he important to the USSR? Why he was so important?

Lenin was a Russian Marxist revolutionary, intellectual and politician who led the October Revolution of 1917.  Lenin's theories on the role of a communist party were developed as the early 20th-century Russian social democracy divided into Bolsheviks and Mensheviks factions. He was the leader of the Bolsheviks, which was a radical group of people in Russia that wanted to take the power as soon as possible. As the Bolsheviks overthrown the Provisional Government, he headed the Soviet state during its initial years (1917-1924). He fought to establish the control of Russia in the Russian Civil War and worked to create a socialist economic system. Lenin was deeply influenced by the revolutionary ideas of his older brother, Alexander Ulyanov, who introduces him to the ideas of Karl Marx. His theoretic and philosophical developments were based in Karl Marx ideology, communism. In this establishment of communism, Russia turned to be called the Soviet Union.

What is communism? Communism is based in totalitarianism that is a type of regime in which the state has the total control by a dictator, in this case Lenin. The government establishes complete control of all aspects of the state (political, military, economic, social, and cultural). Lenin had strict control and made laws that keep everyone organized. He gained followers by the propaganda he made and his charismatic personality. The period of time in which he appeared beneficed him as it was easy for him to gain followers. Well, people didn´t had other option the ones who were against his ideas were killed, that´s why the majority of the people supported his visions. The solution was to conform to the ideas of the leader; reason why he created terror and fear in the people.

Leninist theory was based in the vanguard party of the working class, whether ruling or non-ruling, but when such a party is in power in a specific country, the party is said to be the highest authority of the dictatorship of the proletariat (working class).

In the Russian socialist society, government by direct democracy was effected by elected soviets (workers’ councils), which soviet government form Lenin described as the manifestation of the Marxist democratic dictatorship of the proletariat. As political organizations, the soviets would comprise representatives of factory workers and trade union committees, but would exclude capitalists, as a social class, in order to ensure the establishment of a proletarian government, by and for the working class and the peasants.

But, why Lenin was so important for the working class? Lenin wanted the political independence of the working class while defending the possibility of a socialist revolution in less advances capitalist countries through and alliance of proletarians with rural peasantry. He wanted to reach a suppression of the oppressors (rich people) by force, without taking consideration of them. Lenin interpretates the Marxist theory in many cases abandoning Socialist principles and applies it to the socio-political conditions of the Russian Empire. He wanted to create a dictatorship of the proletariat gaining communism through capitalism. After the October Revolution of 1917, Leninism was the dominant version of Marxism in Russia, and then the official ideology of Soviet democracy. He was such a great leader that when he died followers like Joseph Stalin continue his reign.

Written by: Paula Arciniega 

ADAPTING IN SOCIETY OR DISSAPEARING?

Fascism is known as an ideology that was born and flourished in the 20th century. It spread quickly across the world in the wake of World War I, with fascist regimes coming to power in Germany and Italy in particular, but also in such countries as Greece, Spain and Japan, where the people suffered greatly from the oppressive and violent methods employed by their governments. Against this oppression and violence, they could do little more than cower before it. The fascist dictator and his administration heading such systems, where brute force, aggression, bloodshed and violence were the rule of the day, they sent waves of terror throughout the society with their secret police and fascist militia, paralyzing the people with fear. Furthermore, fascist administration was implemented in almost all levels of society, from education to culture, religion to art, the governmental structure to the military system, and from the policing organizations to peoples' private lives.

Social Darwinism is a belief, very popular in many countries like Italy and Germany, and elsewhere. It consists that in states only the strongest or fittest people should survive and flourish in society, while the weak and unfit should be allowed to die. The theory was chiefly expounded by Herbert Spencer, whose ethical philosophies always held an elitist view and received a boost from the application of Darwinian ideas such as adaptation and natural selection.

Fascist movements have commonly held social Darwinist views of nations, races, and societies. They argue that nations and races must purge themselves of socially and biologically weak or degenerate people, while simultaneously promoting the creation of strong people, in order to survive in a world defined by perpetual national and racial conflict.

Social Darwinism applied to a social context too, of course. In fascism, it provided a justification for the more exploitative forms of capitalism in which workers were paid sometimes pennies a day for long hours of backbreaking labor. Social Darwinism also implied that the rich need not donate money to the poor or less fortunate, since such people were less fit anyway.

Social Darwinism wasn´t applied just in Italy, also it took place in Germany, were the Nazis used social Darwinism to promote their racialist concept of the German nation as part of the Aryan race and the need for the Aryan race to be victorious in what the Nazis believed was a race struggle—an ongoing competition and conflict between races. They attempted to strengthen the Aryan race in Germany by killing those they regarded as weak.

I think that it was a very strict ideology applied in society were species have to adapt, being strong, that´s the only way people will survive and the other people, not strong, weak, will disappear over time. This ideology start spreading in many European countries, were the people start applying it to their governments and life. I think that all people are equal, and eventually in a society with classes, one will be stronger than the other, but that doesn´t mean that the weak people will start disappearing or dying.

Made by: Daniela Sanguineti Cornejo.

WOMEN IN NAZISM HAVE THE POWER!

All new states constituted by the end of World War, adopted democratic constitutions and universal suffrage. Even in countries with long democratic tradition, such as Great Britain and the United States, reforms were introduced trying to make the system more representative. The most notable innovations occurred around the recognition of women's civil rights. In Europe, recognition of women's suffrage had already been established in Finland (1806), Norway (1913), Denmark and Iceland (1915) and Holland and Russia (1917), before the end of WWI. In 1918 the Weimar Republic also recognized women's suffrage.

The women that lived under the ideology of Nazism during the interwar period, they are called the women in the Third Reich. These women were living within a regime that was characterized by a policy of confining women in the roles of mother and wife and their exclusion from all positions of responsibility, especially in the political and academic spheres. Nazi ideology advocated excluding women from political involvement and confining them to the spheres of "Kinder, Küche, Kirche" (Children, Kitchen, Church). This summarizes the future role of German women: "Take a pot, a dustpan and a broom and marry a man". This was anti-feminism because the Nazis ideology said that the only role which they could develop and best serve the interests of the nation was reproduction. Many women voted in favor of the Nazi Party, but once in power, the party introduced legislation that limited women's legal rights. The Nazi woman had to conform to the German society desired by Adolf Hitler.

The model of a Nazi woman was that she was responsible for her kids and their education and also the housekeeping, but they didn´t had any career. They were restricted from teaching in universities, from medical professions and from parliament. No women were allowed to carry out official functions; however some exceptions stood out in the regime, for example, Magda Goebbels, Leni Riefenstahl and Hanna Reitsch.

The wearing of makeup was prohibited and they couldn´t smoke in public. Abortion and sexuality were prohibited too, unless for a reproductive goal. In the physical standars, the Third Reich promoted standards of beauty; women were to be blonde, beautiful, tall, thin and robust all at once. I think that the Nazi ideology was very radical and strict on the aspect of the role of women in society, because she was deprived of many aspects that only man could achieve and there is a chauvinism well developed.

Under the Weimar republic in 1919, the role of women was one of the most progressive in Europe. The Weimar Constitution of January 19, 1919 proclaimed their right to vote, the equality of the sexes in public matters, non-discrimination against female bureaucrats, maternity rights and the equality within marriage. They remained under-represented in the parliaments, maternity was promoted as their most important social function, and abortion was still prosecutable. They were often working as secretaries or sales staff, where they were generally paid 10% to 20% less than male employees. The doctrine of the Nazi party was clear and made no secret of its desire to exclude women from the political life of Germany. Germany went from having 37 female Members of Parliament out of 577 after the German election in November 1933. The role of women started improving and developing very fast and strong and they also started having a position in society.

Made by: Daniela Sanguineti Cornejo.

Italy in crisis!

During the First World War, fascism was developed in Europe and is motivated by imperialist conflicts among European powers, the "Great War”. The immediate cause that led to the outbreak of the First World War was the assassination of the Archduke of Austria-Hungary, Franz Ferdinand on June 28, 1914. Austria presented an ultimatum to Serbia and the July 28 war was declared. The military alliance system came into operation then.

Italy felt unrepresented by the Treaty of Versailles, in which not much was given to the Italians, this gave rise to a feeling of nationalism. It also increased in land seizures on 1919, were follow by poor harvests in 1919-1920, and law and order began to break down.

The Italian economy went down as many homeless people were affected greatly. The war attempt consumed huge amounts of industrial goods, but no peacetime economy could bout this. Because of this tragic economical crisis, Italy lacked raw materials, a large domestic market and an established trading system, all leading to post-war economic problems, such as a post war collapse.

The first problem, for which the dictatorship had to face, was the devaluation of the lira. The continuation of production at the end of First World War I had negative effects the lack of raw materials due to strong demand and excessive productivity. The first mark of crisis was the general increase in prices, rising unemployment, declining of wages, and lack of investment in Italy and in loans to state. That’s why Italy was decaying in the economical aspect little by little; it was a complete mess in organizing the economy in the country.

To resolve the problem, as in Germany, Mussolini decided to print more currency for pay the war debts owed ​​to the United States and Britain. Obviously the measure brought about the increase in inflation and the falling value of the lira, which suffered a depression against the dollar and the pound sterling. Mussolini didn’t realize the terrible consequences that would happen when he was making these bad decisions.

The measures to counter the crisis were taken as soon as possible! Put on sale a little kind of bread flour was added alcohol to gasoline, increased working hours from 8 to 9, which was a harder for workers; without increasing wages, instituted a tax on bachelors, all taxes possible were increased, was prohibited the construction of luxury homes, increased fiscal controls, reduced the cost of newspapers, blocked the rents and reduced the price rail tickets and stamps. People was going through a situation of complete chaos in its country, they did not cover all their needs because of these radical changes in Italy.

Noticing the comparisons of the lira to the pound sterling, Mussolini succeeded in adjusting the accounts of the state, but he put the country out of the export market and with such a plan doubled the cost of Italian goods abroad. Later, Italy was going to be improving little by little in their economy, going through this crisis.

Made by: Valeria Pretell.

The crazy 20’s invasion in Fascism and Nazism!

On Thursday 24, October, 1929 there was a stock market crash in New York, which led to a prolonged period of crisis. The crisis quickly moved to the whole U.S. economy, European and other world areas. 

This economic crisis severely impacted the middle bourgeoisie, who suffered the consequences and not the insurance of a good income, and security of the State. The middle class and the proletariat lived in a poor way, and the triumph of the socialist revolution in Russia, caused fear of a social revolution in both, the small and the big bourgeoisie.

The crisis affected everyone, because of the liberal concept of freedom of the market. The only way that the crisis does not affect a country is to have a protected market. The uncontrolled market crisis unfolds worldwide, bringing the middle class discontent and disillusioned, desperate unemployed, unemployment became a mass event!

In Italy, after World War, there was felt everywhere the revolutionary spirit, unions get some of their most important claims, and had in the strike one of his most effective weapons. It called for a reform of a political nature, which was strongly required. In this situation the big business used the fascists of Benito Mussolini to intimidate workers and broke strikes and violent demonstrations. The class that had the bigger impact in this depression was the middle class and the proletariat.

In Germany there was a genuine workers' revolution after the defeat in the war, a revolution in which they were involved the workers and peasants, but failed to succeed and was crushed violently, after the murder of Rose Luxemburg.   

In 1920 Adolf Hitler organized these groups into a single party, the NSDAP or Nazi. In 1923 there was a unique organization, the Nazi Party. Their political program is defined from the beginning, it talks about the mistakes of the war, about not paying, economic protectionism, the docility of the state against foreign powers, and that the party should control the state. 

    

The middle classes are subjected to free market competition, and looked favorably on this program. To them the class struggle was a foreign concept to them because they are considered bourgeoisie by the proletariat, but they weren’t rich. It was nearer the idea of ​​class collaboration on a common project, the idea of ​​homeland and nation, and putting the general interest and the state above classes. The farmers were part of the little bourgeoisie, as were small landowners who cultivate farms. In addition, agricultural prices rise less than the industry, creating a tension between agriculture and industry. The main capital of the peasantry is the price of land. Hitler attempted a coup d'état in 1922, which shall be sentenced to prison, but will win the 1933 elections. Italy and Germany started struggling with the Great depression and they would have an important economic role in the European countries. The wall street crash brought unemployment and it is going to be added to the problems of the people in many countries.

Made by Valeria Pretell.