Herrenvolk

German history

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June 29, 2026

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The term "Herrenvolk" is a German word that translates to "master race". This concept was central to Nazism, a totalitarian movement led by Adolf Hitler in Germany. Nazism emphasized the supposed racial and cultural superiority of Germanic peoples, particularly over other Europeans and races. This ideology fueled the Nazi regime's policies of discrimination and persecution, aiming to establish a hierarchy where the "master race" ruled over subordinate peoples. The concept of the Herrenvolk was a core component of Nazi ideology, justifying their expansionist ambitions and brutal treatment of those deemed inferior.12

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Nazism
Totalitarianism and expansionism
…the German master race, or Herrenvolk, would rule over a hierarchy of subordinate peoples and organize and exploit them with ruthlessness and efficiency. With the initial successes of the military campaigns of 1939–41, his plan was expanded into a vision of a hemispheric order that would embrace all of Europe,…
Read More
…the German master race, or Herrenvolk, would rule over a hierarchy of subordinate peoples and organize and exploit them with ruthlessness and efficiency. With the initial successes of the military campaigns of 1939–41, his plan was expanded into a vision of a hemispheric order that would embrace all of Europe,…
Read More