Key Concepts of Antisemitism and the Nazi Regime

Antisemitism

Hostility, prejudice, or discrimination against Jews.

Pogrom

An organized massacre of a particular ethnic group, especially Jews in Eastern Europe.

Ghettos

Segregated areas in cities where Jews were forced to live under Nazi rule.

The Protocols of the Elders of Zion

A forged document claiming a Jewish plan for global domination; used to fuel antisemitism.

Richard Wagner

A German composer whose antisemitic writings influenced Nazi ideology.

Karl Lueger

Mayor of Vienna; used antisemitism to gain political power and influenced Hitler.

Jewish casualties

Approximately 6 million.

Fraction of Jews killed

About 2/3.

Nazism

The belief in the racial superiority of the Aryan race and inferiority of Jews and others.

Social Darwinism

The misapplication of Darwin's theory to justify racial hierarchies and oppression.

Herbert Spencer

Philosopher who coined 'survival of the fittest,' influencing Social Darwinism.

Eugenics

The pseudo-science of improving genetic quality by controlling reproduction.

Heinrich Himmler

Head of the SS and key architect of the Holocaust.

Josef Mengele

SS doctor at Auschwitz known for cruel human experiments.

Lebensraum

Nazi goal to expand territory for the Aryan race.

Aryan

Term used by Nazis to describe a supposed 'master race,' mainly Northern Europeans.

Roma

A nomadic ethnic group targeted by Nazis alongside Jews.

Nazi euthanasia program

Targeting people with disabilities.

Adolf Hitler

Leader of the Nazi Party and dictator of Nazi Germany.

Weimar Republic

Germany's democratic government post-WWI, before Hitler's rise.

Treaty of Versailles

Peace treaty after WWI that imposed harsh penalties on Germany.

Beer Hall Putsch

Hitler's failed coup in 1923.

Mein Kampf

Hitler's autobiography and political manifesto.

Economic collapse

Increased support for extremist parties like the Nazis.

Fascism

Authoritarian ultranationalism with dictatorial power and suppression of opposition.

NSDAP

National Socialist German Workers' Party, led by Hitler.

Political opponents

Targeted early in Nazi rule.

Paul von Hindenburg

German president who appointed Hitler as chancellor in 1933.

Reichstag

German parliament.

Enabling Act

Law that gave Hitler dictatorial powers.

Third Reich

Empire; referred to Nazi Germany.

Night of the Long Knives

Purge of Hitler's political rivals, especially the SA.

Ernst Röhm

Leader of the SA, killed during the purge.

Soldiers' Oath

Oath sworn by German soldiers to Hitler personally.

Triumph of the Will

Nazi propaganda film by Leni Riefenstahl.

Joseph Goebbels

Nazi Minister of Propaganda.

Kristallnacht

'Night of Broken Glass'—coordinated attacks on Jews in 1938.

Munich Agreement

1938 meeting where Britain and France appeased Hitler.

Appeasement

Giving in to an aggressor to avoid conflict.

Benito Mussolini

Fascist dictator of Italy, allied with Hitler.

Pact of Steel

Alliance between Italy and Germany.

Joseph Stalin

Leader of the Soviet Union.

Nazi-Soviet Pact

Agreement between Hitler and Stalin not to attack each other.