Twelve: The Socialist Roots of Naziism
National Socialism, often called Nazism, is mistakenly seen as an irrational movement without real thought behind it. In fact, it is based on a long and serious development of ideas that many influential thinkers contributed to, not just in Germany but across Europe. The beliefs of National Socialism come from a long tradition of collectivism, showing that its ideologies were carefully developed and followed a clear logic.
While many important thinkers in this movement were German, others like Thomas Carlyle and Auguste Comte also played a role. Although these ideas persisted in Germany for many years, they were not widely accepted before World War I and were often criticized by a majority of Germans. The question then arises: how did these minority ideas gain so much support among the German people, especially the youth, later on?
The rise in support for these ideas was not simply due to the defeat in the war, pain, or nationalism; it also came from the socialist camp. Contrary to the belief that these ideas emerged because of a backlash against socialism, they actually gained traction when left and right anti-capitalist forces came together. This alliance helped push aside liberal ideas like democracy and internationalism, which were seen as barriers to achieving a unified socialist vision.
The connection between socialism and nationalism in Germany dates back to early thinkers like Fichte, Rodbertus, and Lassalle, who were important to both movements. Although Marxism was the dominant form of socialism for a while, nationalist ideas began to rise after Germany's defeat in World War I. Influential people like Werner Sombart, who started as a Marxist, changed their views during this time, emphasizing a sense of pride and duty among Germans.
Sombart criticized English individualism and championed a collective spirit where responsibility to the state outweighed individual rights. He believed that the German identity was at risk from British values and that the war helped revive a sense of pride in fighting for the nation. This view painted war as a noble cause.
Similarly, Johann Plenge argued that the war marked a crucial turning point. He claimed it represented a clash between the ideals of individual freedom and the necessity of collective organization. Plenge saw Germany's future as one built on socialism, where society was organized and focused on the common good rather than individualism.
Paul Lensch expanded on these ideas by stating that Germany had a vital role in a future socialist revolution. He believed that Germany's organization and strength were essential and viewed the war as crucial for shaping a new social order. Lensch criticized liberalism as outdated, insisting that it had failed to meet the needs of the time.
Many middle-class individuals began to adopt similar views, seeking a society that was more organized and collective. They increasingly rejected liberal ideals in favor of totalitarian concepts, demanding a more ordered society. Their thoughts contributed to a significant shift in German beliefs, emphasizing collective responsibility over individual rights.
The ideas of influential writers like Oswald Spengler and Arthur Moeller van den Bruck reflected a belief that liberalism had failed Germany. They called for a break from these values and a new, unique form of socialism that was distinctly German. They identified liberalism as a primary enemy and sought to reject its influence completely.
Various groups, including socialists and conservatives, united in their opposition to liberalism, blaming it for Germany's troubles. This collaboration helped pave the way for the rise of National Socialism, as these different groups found common ground in their struggle against liberal values, which they viewed as harmful.
The combination of these ideas led to the creation of a unique kind of nationalism intertwined with socialism. This mixture helped create the beliefs that ultimately influenced Nazi Germany's government and society. As these ideas developed and gained traction, they formed the foundation for a new order that sought to redefine German society without traditional liberal influences.
National Socialism, often called Nazism, is mistakenly seen as an irrational movement without real thought behind it. In fact, it is based on a long and serious development of ideas that many influential thinkers contributed to, not just in Germany but across Europe. The beliefs of National Socialism come from a long tradition of collectivism, showing that its ideologies were carefully developed and followed a clear logic.
While many important thinkers in this movement were German, others like Thomas Carlyle and Auguste Comte also played a role. Although these ideas persisted in Germany for many years, they were not widely accepted before World War I and were often criticized by a majority of Germans. The question then arises: how did these minority ideas gain so much support among the German people, especially the youth, later on?
The rise in support for these ideas was not simply due to the defeat in the war, pain, or nationalism; it also came from the socialist camp. Contrary to the belief that these ideas emerged because of a backlash against socialism, they actually gained traction when left and right anti-capitalist forces came together. This alliance helped push aside liberal ideas like democracy and internationalism, which were seen as barriers to achieving a unified socialist vision.
The connection between socialism and nationalism in Germany dates back to early thinkers like Fichte, Rodbertus, and Lassalle, who were important to both movements. Although Marxism was the dominant form of socialism for a while, nationalist ideas began to rise after Germany's defeat in World War I. Influential people like Werner Sombart, who started as a Marxist, changed their views during this time, emphasizing a sense of pride and duty among Germans.
Sombart criticized English individualism and championed a collective spirit where responsibility to the state outweighed individual rights. He believed that the German identity was at risk from British values and that the war helped revive a sense of pride in fighting for the nation. This view painted war as a noble cause.
Similarly, Johann Plenge argued that the war marked a crucial turning point. He claimed it represented a clash between the ideals of individual freedom and the necessity of collective organization. Plenge saw Germany's future as one built on socialism, where society was organized and focused on the common good rather than individualism.
Paul Lensch expanded on these ideas by stating that Germany had a vital role in a future socialist revolution. He believed that Germany's organization and strength were essential and viewed the war as crucial for shaping a new social order. Lensch criticized liberalism as outdated, insisting that it had failed to meet the needs of the time.
Many middle-class individuals began to adopt similar views, seeking a society that was more organized and collective. They increasingly rejected liberal ideals in favor of totalitarian concepts, demanding a more ordered society. Their thoughts contributed to a significant shift in German beliefs, emphasizing collective responsibility over individual rights.
The ideas of influential writers like Oswald Spengler and Arthur Moeller van den Bruck reflected a belief that liberalism had failed Germany. They called for a break from these values and a new, unique form of socialism that was distinctly German. They identified liberalism as a primary enemy and sought to reject its influence completely.
Various groups, including socialists and conservatives, united in their opposition to liberalism, blaming it for Germany's troubles. This collaboration helped pave the way for the rise of National Socialism, as these different groups found common ground in their struggle against liberal values, which they viewed as harmful.
The combination of these ideas led to the creation of a unique kind of nationalism intertwined with socialism. This mixture helped create the beliefs that ultimately influenced Nazi Germany's government and society. As these ideas developed and gained traction, they formed the foundation for a new order that sought to redefine German society without traditional liberal influences.