Anti-Semitism as Strategy

The Holocaust, the extermination of six million Jews and others, manifests how specious were claims, by the Nazis, of Jewish domination in pre-war German society.  If the Jews dominated, how did the Anti-Semitic Nazis rise meteorically—almost without opposition?

While some deny it even occurred, many have sought to understand this enigma of evil, the Holocaust.  After all, to understand it may be to avert future atrocities.  So, many ask:  how is it possible that such overt evil ever came into existence?!?

Often, this search for understanding pursues evidence of provocations—possible provocations by Jews from Germany's past or from Hitler's early life.  For example, to understand the Holocaust, some point to parts the Jews had in German politics (ie. communist revolution).  Others point to parts Jews played in Hitler's life--so as to identify possible provocations.  But while historic provocations may help us understand pre-war prejudices against Judaism, they cannot explain or excuse the enigma of Nazi atrocities.

Some blame the Holocaust on religion.  Hitler, they insist, was a Christian; and his avowals attest it!  They would have us take the Fuhrer at his word—spoken by a delusional megalomaniac to manipulate a Christian populace.  Efforts are afoot to revise Nazi history:  some seek to delete or discredit the many shockingly godless, atheistic, Social Darwinist statements once attributed to Hitler even as revisionists seek to conflate National Socialism and Christianity.  If Hitler can be connected to Christianity, atheist theories are vindicated:  the enigma of evil, the Holocaust, is explained—this conflict, like all others, is, at heart, religious; and outlawing religion, man might have peace.  While some might construe Hitler’s words to be a Christian’s; none can construe his works to be a Christian’s.  Christianity concerns itself with means; but Nazism never did.  It is hard to imagine anything more woeful than the fruits of Nazism--those gassed and gaping Jews.  And by their fruits, we know them.  No, National Socialism was not Christian; it was applied Social Darwinism: it was evolution engineered by the state—eugenics vulgarized, collectivized, fanaticized, and militarized.

Some have characterized Anti-Semitism as element of Nazism only—as an extreme, fringe element that was not elemental to Nazism.  But that was not Hitler’s view.  And it was not his policy.  He considered Anti-Semitism--not just an element of--but elemental to National Socialism.  It was integral.  It was not a tactic:  it was key strategy for National Socialism.

Remember, the Nazis sought to transform Germany.  They would usher in a millennium of Germanic governance—a Third Reich, the Reich of a Thousand Years.  It was their burden to conform the past and future to their world view—to make themselves heirs of the Holy Roman Empire and champions of a Third Reich.  Because Judaism offered an alternate, competing, compelling, ancient and future world view, the scapegoating of Jews was strategic for Nazis.  It eliminated an alternative world view.  And it cowed many Christians.