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what was nazism based on

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Answered by GPT-4o mini
Nazism, or National Socialism, was a far-right political ideology that emerged in Germany in the early 20th century, particularly associated with Adolf Hitler and the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP). Its foundational elements included:

1. **Aryan Supremacy**: Central to Nazi ideology was the belief in the superiority of the "Aryan" race, particularly those of Northern European descent. This ideology justified the discrimination and extermination of other races and groups deemed "inferior," particularly Jews, Roma, Slavs, communists, homosexuals, and disabled individuals.

2. **Antisemitism**: A core tenet of Nazism was intense hostility towards Jews. The Nazis propagated conspiracy theories about Jewish influence and power, portraying Jews as the main enemy of the German people. This antisemitism culminated in the Holocaust, the systematic genocide of six million Jews.

3. **Nationalism**: Nazism promoted an aggressive form of nationalism that emphasized the importance of the state and the unity of the German people. This nationalism often involved the belief that Germany should expand its territory (Lebensraum, or "living space") to provide for its people, which justified military aggression against other nations.

4. **Militarism**: The Nazi regime emphasized a strong military and the idea of reviving Germany's power after the perceived humiliation of World War I and the Treaty of Versailles. This militarism was linked to the concept of survival of the fittest and a social Darwinist outlook.

5. **Totalitarianism**: Nazism sought to establish a totalitarian state where the government controlled all aspects of life. The regime suppressed dissent, controlled the media, and used propaganda to promote its ideology and maintain power.

6. **Economic Control**: While Nazis did not reject capitalism, they believed in state intervention and control of the economy to serve national interests. This included significant public works projects and rearmament, aimed at reducing unemployment and revitalizing the economy.

7. **Social Darwinism**: The Nazis applied the concept of natural selection and survival of the fittest to society and politics, advocating for policies that they believed would strengthen the "Aryan" race while eliminating those they considered inferior.

Nazism effectively combined these ideas into a coherent and extreme political movement that led to devastating consequences both within Germany and globally during World War II.

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