Achieving Purity in the Achieving Purity in the Third ReichThird Reich

Aryan Term History Aryan Term History

Historic Definition of Aryan –original Historic Definition of Aryan –original speakers of Indo-European languages. speakers of Indo-European languages.

Example:Example: Persians are considered to be Persians are considered to be Aryan.Aryan.

AryanAryan According to Nazis According to Nazis Nazis used this term differently Nazis used this term differently According to the Nazis, the best Aryans According to the Nazis, the best Aryans

were the Nordic Aryans (Germanic/ were the Nordic Aryans (Germanic/ Scandinavian). Scandinavian).

They believed that these people had They believed that these people had superior genetic traits. superior genetic traits.

Nazis used Nazis used EUGENICSEUGENICS (look at the (look at the previous objective for explanation of this previous objective for explanation of this term) to achieve a term) to achieve a superior Aryan race superior Aryan race

Achieving Purity in the Achieving Purity in the Third ReichThird Reich

Aryan—a term for Nazi Aryan—a term for Nazi Master Race Master Race

Hitler’s “Aryan” IdealHitler’s “Aryan” Ideal TallTall StrongStrong Blond-hairedBlond-haired Blue-eyedBlue-eyed HeterosexualHeterosexual No physical or mental No physical or mental

disabilitiesdisabilities Loyal to the NazisLoyal to the Nazis

Achieving Purity in the Achieving Purity in the Third ReichThird Reich

““Impure” people Impure” people included:included: JewsJews

Achieving Purity in the Achieving Purity in the Third ReichThird Reich

““Impure” people Impure” people included:included: JewsJews HomosexualsHomosexuals

Achieving Purity in the Achieving Purity in the Third ReichThird Reich

““Impure” people Impure” people included:included: JewsJews HomosexualsHomosexuals Physically or mentally Physically or mentally

handicapped peoplehandicapped people

Achieving Purity in the Achieving Purity in the Third ReichThird Reich

““Impure” people Impure” people included:included: JewsJews HomosexualsHomosexuals Physically or mentally Physically or mentally

handicapped peoplehandicapped people Gypsies (more properly Gypsies (more properly

known as Roma or known as Roma or Sinti)Sinti)

Achieving Purity in the Achieving Purity in the Third ReichThird Reich

““Impure” people Impure” people included:included: JewsJews HomosexualsHomosexuals Physically or mentally Physically or mentally

handicapped peoplehandicapped people Gypsies (more properly Gypsies (more properly

known as Roma)known as Roma) Political opponents, Political opponents,

especially Communistsespecially Communists

Achieving Purity in the Achieving Purity in the Third ReichThird Reich

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