Ian Kershaw on Cultural and Philosophical Roots of German Fascism

Kershaw on Cultural and Philosophical Roots of German Fascism

Category	Kershaw’s Perspective
Romantic Nationalism	19th-century German nationalism, influenced by thinkers like Fichte and Herder, emphasized the "Volksgemeinschaft" (national community) and cultural superiority, laying the groundwork for Nazi ideology.
Social Darwinism & Racial Theories	Influences from thinkers like Gobineau and Chamberlain reinforced ideas of racial hierarchy. Kershaw sees this as a key foundation for Nazi anti-Semitism and expansionist policies.
Authoritarian Traditions	Prussian militarism, respect for strong leadership (e.g., Bismarck's legacy), and hierarchical social structures made Germans more receptive to a Führerprinzip (leader principle).
Nietzsche’s Misinterpretation	Though Nietzsche himself was not anti-Semitic, his ideas on the "will to power" and the Übermensch were twisted by later ideologues to justify Nazi brutality and elitism.
Anti-Semitic and Völkisch Movements	Kershaw links Nazi ideology to pre-WWI völkisch movements, which combined nationalism, mysticism, and racial purity myths, setting the stage for Hitler’s worldview.
Crisis of Modernity	Kershaw notes that intellectuals and conservatives saw Weimar democracy as weak, decadent, and “un-German,” fueling a reactionary movement that embraced Nazi ideals.

Kershaw’s Conclusion Kershaw acknowledges that while these cultural and philosophical ideas shaped the intellectual climate, they alone didn’t cause Nazism. Instead, he argues they were activated by economic crises, political instability, and Hitler’s charismatic leadership.