Achieving Purity in the Third Reich

Aryan Term History  Historic Definition of Aryan –original speakers of Indo-European languages. Example: Persians are considered to be Aryan.

Aryan According to Nazis  Nazis used this term differently  According to the Nazis, the best Aryans were the Nordic Aryans (Germanic/ Scandinavian).  They believed that these people had superior genetic traits.  Nazis used EUGENICS (look at the previous objective for explanation of this term) to achieve a superior Aryan race

Achieving Purity in the Third Reich  Aryan—a term for Nazi Master Race  Hitler’s “Aryan” Ideal  Tall  Strong  Blond-haired  Blue-eyed  Heterosexual  No physical or mental disabilities  Loyal to the Nazis

Achieving Purity in the Third Reich  “Impure” people included:  Jews

Achieving Purity in the Third Reich  “Impure” people included:  Jews  Homosexuals

Achieving Purity in the Third Reich  “Impure” people included:  Jews  Homosexuals  Physically or mentally handicapped people

Achieving Purity in the Third Reich  “Impure” people included:  Jews  Homosexuals  Physically or mentally handicapped people  Gypsies (more properly known as Roma or Sinti)

Achieving Purity in the Third Reich  “Impure” people included:  Jews  Homosexuals  Physically or mentally handicapped people  Gypsies (more properly known as Roma)  Political opponents, especially Communists

Achieving Purity in the Third Reich  The methods used to increase the number of “pure” Germans and to decrease the number of “impure” people varied from harmless to horrible, which you will learn more about in the HOLOCAST: Stages, Events, and Conditions playlist.