The Extent to Which the Nazis Viewed World War II as a Race War

World War II, as is well known, was a global conflict that involved many nations and their ideologies. While different countries fought for various reasons, the Nazi perspective was particularly concerning and deeply rooted in racial ideology. This article explores the extent to which the Nazis viewed the war as a race war, with a focus on their specific goals in the East and the ideologically driven actions carried out during the conflict.

Goals in the East

The eastern front of World War II was a battleground for the establishment of a society where Germans would be the ruling elite while Slavic peoples would be second-class citizens, utilized as slave labor. Hitler's vision was not merely to conquer, but to fundamentally transform the region, instituting a Nazi-ruled order that would subordinate and exploit the local population.

As the Soviet forces advanced and defeated the Germans, they pushed them back and reclaimed lands that had previously been under German control. The aftermath of this conflict saw the brutal rape of countless German women, leading to around 500,000 pregnancies. From the Nazi perspective, this was a consequence of their broader policy of racial subjugation and exploitation. Although their ultimate defeat in this endeavor is a testament to the resilience and resistance of the Slavic peoples, the Nazi quest for racial domination left a profound and tragic mark on the war's legacy.

Nazi Perspective and Goals for Survival

From Hitler's perspective, Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union, was not merely a military campaign but a "war of annihilation." This term encapsulates the Nazis' ideological stance that the war was fundamentally about racial survival and dominance.

Hitler and his affiliates viewed Slavic peoples, particularly Russians and other Slavs, as racial threats. Jews, who were also seen as racially inferior and dangerous, were targeted with an even greater intensity. This racialized perspective influenced not only the military strategies but also the broader socio-political policies of the Nazi regime.

Actions and Choices Made by the Nazis

The Nazi leadership often prioritized ideological objectives over strategic military gains. Even when faced with the opportunity to achieve both military and ideological victories, they frequently chose the latter. For example, although the destruction of communism was a valuable ideological goal, it did not always align with pragmatic military objectives. The Nazis sought to exploit conservative individuals who aligned with their anti-communist stance, but this goal was sometimes subordinated to other secondary objectives.

Similarly, the desire to retaliate against the French, while satisfying for nationalist sentiment, was not a primary strategic goal. The Nazi hierarchy often prioritized broader racial and ideological goals over more immediate tactical ones. This prioritization led to the commission of some of the most heinous atrocities in human history, including the Holocaust and the brutal exploitation of captured territories and populations.

Conclusion

World War II was fundamentally a race war from the Nazi perspective. Hitler and his associates believed in the superiority of the Aryan race and sought to establish a global order that reflected this belief. Their actions during the war, including the policies in the Eastern Front and the broader ideological influence on military campaigns, clearly demonstrate the extent to which their worldview was driven by racial ideology. Even though the war had multiple causes and objectives, the Nazi racial agenda was a dominant and tragic factor in the conflict's outcome.

Keywords

Nazi Race War, World War II, Operation Barbarossa