SEM 6: German states and the Holocaust; the far Right in Germany since 1949

Holocaust

Genocidal event during World War II where six million Jews were killed by the Nazi regime.

Vergangenheitsbewältigung

The process of coming to terms with the past, particularly regarding the Holocaust in Germany.

GDR (German Democratic Republic)

East Germany, which positioned itself as a true antifascist state after WWII.

West Germany (FRG)

Federal Republic of Germany, known for its gradual acknowledgment and education on the Holocaust.

Eichmann Trial

1961 trial that focused attention on the Holocaust and the responsibility of individuals.

Nuremberg Trials

Post-WWII trials where high-ranking Nazi leaders were held accountable for war crimes.

Antisemitism

Hostility to or prejudice against Jews.

Adolf Eichmann

A key organizer of the Holocaust, captured and tried in Israel.

NPD (National Democratic Party of Germany)

Far-right political party founded in 1964, sought to rehabilitate Nazi ideology.

AfD (Alternative für Deutschland)

Far-right political party formed in 2013, initially Eurosceptic, now nationalist and anti-immigration.

Neo-Nazism

Ideology that seeks to resurrect and promote the beliefs of the Nazi regime.

Far-right politics

Political movements characterized by extreme nationalism, xenophobia, and anti-immigrant rhetoric.

Soviet Influence

The impact of Soviet policies on East Germany's stance regarding Zionism and the Holocaust.

Restitution Claims

Efforts by individuals and organizations to reclaim property or compensation for losses due to the Holocaust.

Commemoration of Communists

The GDR's emphasis on the persecution of communists rather than on Jewish suffering during the Holocaust.

Far-right Extremism

Radical forms of right-wing politics that reject democratic norms and advocate for violent action.

Coded Language

Language used by some far-right politicians to disguise illegal or extremist expression.

Holocaust Education

Curriculum components focused on teaching about the Holocaust and its implications.

German reunification

The process of uniting East and West Germany in 1990, impacting far-right politics.

Racism

Prejudice and discrimination directed against individuals based on their racial or ethnic group.

Populism

Political approach emphasizing the needs and concerns of ordinary people, often against the elite.

Anti-Zionism

Opposition to Zionism, often conflated with antisemitism in the context of the GDR.

Socialist Reich Party (SRP)

A far-right party banned in 1952 that aimed to rehabilitate Nazi ideology.

Memorials

Structures or events to remember and honor victims of significant tragedies, such as the Holocaust.

Youth Movements

Groups advocating for social change; in this context, influencing attitudes towards the Holocaust.

Political Violence

Acts intended to intimidate or coerce individuals or groups in the political arena.

Propaganda

Information used to promote or publicize a particular political cause or point of view.

Discrimination

Unjust treatment of different categories of people, often based on race or religion.

Fear-mongering

Deliberate effort to incite fear regarding an issue, often used in far-right rhetoric.

Restoration of the Nazi Ideology

The attempt to bring back or rehabilitate the ideas associated with the Nazi regime.

Xenophobia

Intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries.

Refugee Crisis

A situation where a large number of people flee from conflict or persecution, often leading to political and social tension.

Holocaust Denial

The claim that the Holocaust did not happen or has been exaggerated, often associated with far-right ideology.

Revisionism

The reinterpretation of historical events, often challenging the established consensus.