1
A socio-political system where there are few or no limits on the power of the government. Because of this it can regulate or control most aspects of society, including education, the press and the legal system.
2
Describes a government that makes decisions without consultation or equivocation, and can wield considerable power without being answerable to others.
3
(German, ‘night of broken glass’) The Nazi-led persecution of Jews across Germany in November 1938, involving violence, property damage and detention of individuals.
4
Any ideas or actions which promote hatred of Jewish people, on the basis of their race. Anti-Semitism was the cornerstone of Nazi racial policy, which considered Jews to be both untermensch and at the centre of a vast global conspiracy to undermine national governments.
5
A political value which holds that the interests, welfare and prosperity of one’s country comes before all else and traditionally argue for greater national strength, unity and autonomy, free from international restrictions or obstacles.
6
The act of giving hostile leaders or governments what they want in order to limit tension and/or prevent conflict. Often used with regard to international acceptance of the Nazi takeover of Czechoslovakia in 1938.
7
German for ‘inferior men’. A phrase from philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, adapted and used by the Nazis to describe non-Aryans.
8
German for ‘superior men’. A phrase invented by the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche, it was adapted and used by the Nazis to describe members of the Aryan ‘master race’.
9
(German, ‘living space’) The theory, held by Hitler and other Nazis, that the German-speaking Aryan people of Europe needed more territory to survive and prosper. This land was to be seized from eastern European countries occupied by ‘lesser races’.
10
The head of government in Germany during the Weimar and early Nazi period (1919-34). Broadly equivalent to a prime minister in other systems, this head of the government was appointed – and dismissed – by the Reich president.
11
The practice of killing disabled or mentally deficient patients, either to end their personal suffering or to ease the social and economic burden on their families and the state.
12
Words, documents, images or actions intended to persuade, often in an emotive or misleading way.
13
The German national assembly, formed in 1919. It was formed by elections using proportional voting, so had a large number of very small parties – while no single party ever held an absolute majority. This made passing laws difficult and led to nine different elections during the Weimar period (1919-33).
14
A political ideology or system of government that promises to protect and improve the rights and conditions of working classes.
15
In the context of the 1930s, the proposed unification of Germany and Austria. This had been specifically prohibited by the Versailles treaty, however the rising Nazi movement within Austria allowed Hitler to proceed with unification in 1938.
16
A Jewish temple and place of worship.
17
A political ideology that seeks to create a society without classes or gross economic inequalities. It was prominent in Europe before, during and after World War I. Russia had this type of government since 1917. Ideology opposed to fascism.
18
Mass murder of Jews and other people by the Nazis.
19
A rotated cross with bent arms, commonly used as a religious symbol or ‘good luck’ motif. It was adopted by Hitler and used as an emblem of the NSDAP. This black symbol on a red and white background employed the traditional colours of Imperial Germany.
20
A late 19th century and early 20th century movement, popular with many scientists and writers, that advocated the use of sterilisation, euthanasia and other forms of genetic cleansing, in order to ease economic burdens and produce social benefits.
21
A political ideology which emerged in Italy during World War I, it was based on authoritarian leadership, state power, militarism, a partly-managed economy and hostility toward both capitalism and socialism.
22
The concept of economic self-sufficiency, where nation is able to locate, harvest or produce whatever material it needs, without relying on foreign imports. It was a long-term objective of the Nazis, though it was never achieved.
23
(Abbreviated German, Geheime Staatspolizei) The Nazi state secret police, formed by Hermann Goering in 1933 and later passed to Heinrich Himmler and the SS. It was mainly responsible for investigating and dealing with opposition to the regime, which it did using considerable extra-legal powers.
24
A title employed by Adolf Hitler (German word for leader), who became both leader of the NSDAP (1921) and then leader of Germany (1934).
25
German term for a military or paramilitary coup; an attempt to overthrow and replace a government.
26
A city in Germany that lent its name to the German government of 1919-1933. The national government had relocated to this city in 1919, due to outbreaks of violence in Berlin; while there it passed a new constitution, creating a liberal democratic German republic.
27
(German, ‘empire’) The Nazi vision for a revived German empire. For them, it was the third empire.
28
In Nazi racial policy, a northern European and Scandinavian ethnic group, comprised mostly of people with fair skin, blonde hair and blue eyes.
29
(Abbreviated German, Nationalsozialistische) Describes any member, element or attribute of the NSDAP. The term was coined by the German press and used widely from the mid-1930s, but was despised by most within the party.
30
Member of an ethno-religious group emanating from the Middle East and scattered across the world. By 1939 there were around 8.5 million in Europe, 210,000 of them in Germany.
