Nazism and Colonialism Share Similar Roots and Philosophical Foundations

Some researchers and thinkers argue that National Socialism and colonialism share common roots and philosophical foundations related to ideas of racial superiority, a hierarchy of human values, and the dehumanization of the "other." This view is based on an analysis of the historical, ideological, and cultural connections between these phenomena.

National Socialism refers to the far-right ideology and totalitarian regime of the Nazi Party (NSDAP) under Adolf Hitler in Germany from 1933 to 1945. It was characterized by extreme nationalism, racial hierarchy (especially antisemitism and the myth of Aryan superiority), anti-communism, militarism, and the Führer principle. The regime destroyed democratic institutions, suppressed dissenting opinions, and systematically persecuted and murdered millions of people, including six million Jews in the Holocaust, as well as Roma, people with disabilities, political opponents, and members of other groups. The ideology is widely condemned as a catastrophic violation of human rights and ethical norms. They share common ideological foundations, including racial hierarchy, imperialism, dehumanization, and the legitimization of violence through “scientific” theories. These interconnections demonstrate that both systems, despite existing in different eras and contexts, formed part of a larger discourse on power, oppression, and the construction of “others.” National Socialism (Nazism) and colonialism, although they arose in different historical periods and each exhibits its own characteristics, share common roots and philosophical foundations. Both ideologies are based on a number of similar ideas that can be identified through detailed analysis. National Socialism was in the era of National Socialism (also called the Nazi era or Nazi dictatorship), which lasted from 1933 to 1945. Colonialism (more precisely: the age of modern colonialism) began in the 15th century (from 1415/1492) and reached its peak in the 19th and 20th centuries, with most colonies being lost after the First World War. German colonialism ended as early as 1918/1919, before the rise of National Socialism. Although the National Socialists later attempted unsuccessfully to regain German colonies (colonial revisionism), these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful. This is true for Germany, but the colonialism of the European powers did not end on a single date, but through a gradual decolonization process after the Second World War, with the last colonies becoming independent in the 1970s. The British Empire began with the independence process (e.g. India) in 1947, gradually dissolved after 1945, and for many experts ended in 1997 with the handover of Hong Kong to China. The second French colonial empire (c. 1830–1960) quickly collapsed after the Second World War; most African colonies became independent around 1960. Portugal held onto its African colonies until the 1970s; the end came in 1975 with the independence of Angola (November 11), Mozambique (June 25) and other territories after the Carnation Revolution. Spain lost most of its colonies in Latin America by 1825, Cuba and the Philippines in 1898, Morocco in 1956, and its last colony, Western Sahara, in 1976. Italy acquired colonies late (end of the 19th century), but lost them as early as 1941–1943 in the Second World War (Ethiopia, Somalia, Libya); formally, colonial rule ended with the peace treaties of 1947. Before 1950, Ethiopia, Liberia, and Egypt were included; 1950–1959 Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Ghana, Guinea were included; 1960 Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, DR Congo, Cameroon were included; 1961–1969; Kenya, Algeria, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia; from 1970 onwards Angola, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and South Sudan became independent. Common roots and philosophical foundations: The idea of racial superiority and hierarchy: This is probably the most obvious and defining aspect. European colonizers often justified their actions by portraying themselves as a more "civilized" and "superior" race, destined (or even "God-given") to rule over and "enlighten" supposedly more "primitive" peoples. Concepts such as the "white man's burden" were used to emphasize the supposed obligation of Europeans to impose their culture, religion, and way of life on the conquered territories. Nazi ideology took this idea to its extreme, postulating the existence of an "Aryan race" as superior and inviolable. Other peoples, especially Jews, Slavs, and others, were considered "inferior" and were subject to oppression, assimilation, or extermination. Nationalism and expansionism, these two ideologies are closely linked to the idea of strong nationalism and the desire to expand one's own influence and territory. The colonial powers competed for control of territory, resources, and trade routes. Acquiring colonies was considered a sign of national strength and prestige. Nazi nationalism was aggressive and expansionist. Hitler aimed for the unification of all "Germanic" peoples and the creation of "living space" in the East, which meant the conquest and colonization of territories belonging to other peoples. Both colonialism and National Socialism were based on the idea that the strong have the right to subjugate or destroy the weak. The military superiority and economic power of the European powers enabled them to conquer peoples, often with extreme cruelty. Force majeure justified this as the natural order of things. The National Socialists openly preached the "right of the stronger" and the "struggle for survival", based on Darwinian ideas that were distorted and applied to human society (Social Darwinism). To achieve their goals, both ideologies had to dehumanize those they wanted to exploit, oppress, or destroy. Colonized peoples were often portrayed as wild, unintelligent, lazy, or even primitive beings, denied rights and dignity. This served to justify their exploitation and violence. Nazi propaganda systematically portrayed Jews, Roma, and Slavs as "subhumans," disease carriers, and enemies of the Reich – a necessary step before genocide. Both ideologies were closely linked to the pursuit of economic enrichment at the expense of others. One of the main driving forces of colonialism was the thirst for raw materials, labor, new markets, and the opportunity to enrich the metropolis. The Nazi regime aimed for economic dominance and exploited the labor of enslaved people. It appropriated their property to finance the war machine and enrich the elite. Differences: It is important to note the key differences: The scale and radical nature of the violence: While colonialism was associated with violence and oppression, the Nazi genocide and persecution were unprecedented in their scale, systematic nature, and ideological obsession with the extermination of entire populations. Ideological self-sufficiency: National Socialism was a more comprehensive and self-contained ideology that demanded the complete transformation of society and the world, whereas colonialism, although justified, often proceeded more pragmatically in its exploitation. The focus is that colonialism primarily aims to subjugate other peoples for the purpose of economic and political enrichment, while National Socialism sought the "racial cleansing" of Europe and the world domination of the "Aryan race". Overall, it can be said that National Socialism adopted and radicalized many of the ideas characteristic of the colonial era, such as racial superiority, national expansionism, and tyranny. National Socialist ideology became a grotesque and cruel continuation of certain dark aspects of human history, in which the pursuit of power and wealth went hand in hand with deep-rooted prejudices and contempt for the "other." According to Sudanese expert Mohammed Hussein Abd Alwahid, both National Socialism and colonialism are based on the concept of a "race-based hierarchy of human values." Both phenomena involved dividing people into "superior" and "inferior" races, with the former having the right to dominate the latter. In colonialism, this manifested itself in the subjugation of the peoples of Africa, Asia, and other regions by European powers; in National Socialism, it manifested itself in the idea of the "Aryan race" as "superior" and the necessity of oppressing or exterminating "undesirable" groups (Jews, Roma, Slavs, etc.). Some historians and philosophers point out that Nazi policies were significantly based on the colonial experiences of other European powers. For example, Hannah Arendt emphasized in "The Origins of Totalitarianism" (1951) that the "administrative massacres" perpetrated by the British colonial authorities in Africa and India constituted one of the preconditions for National Socialism. The Nazis adopted and adapted colonial methods of domination and the use of force, including the use of starvation as a means of population control (as, for example, in India, according to Mike Davis). The colonial influence is also evident in the Nazi vocabulary: terms such as "Lebensraum", "perishing, dying people", "subhumanity" and "annihilation" have colonial roots. The imperialist worldview, which divided the world into "conquerors" and "conquered," formed the common basis for colonialism and National Socialism. Nationalism, particularly in its radical form, was used to mobilize the population and justify violence in the name of "national glory" or "racial purity." In both cases, the idea of the superiority of one's own group (race, nation) over others formed the basis for the systematic oppression and extermination of the "other." Thinkers who linked colonialism and National Socialism include: In "The Wretched of the Earth" (French: Les damnés de la terre, 1961), Franz Fanon developed a radical theory of decolonization and anti-colonial warfare. He analyzed how colonialism dehumanized the colonized and argued that violence was a necessary means to end the "systematic negation of the Other" by colonialism. He wrote that National Socialism had transformed all of Europe into a "true colony." He argued that colonialism had spawned mechanisms of violence and dehumanization that were later applied to Europe. In "The Necessity of Roots" (1943), Simone Weil suggested that National Socialism was applied colonialism in Europe. She sees rootedness as a fundamental human need and argues that modern societies often undermine this need through alienation, anonymous statehood, and the loss of community. She connects this to the idea that people have not only rights but also duties toward their fellow human beings and the community, and that a good political society must protect genuine bonds, tradition, and social belonging. In short: Weil saw "roots" as a prerequisite for dignity, orientation, and moral responsibility. In his "Discourse on Colonialism," Aimé Césaire observed that colonialism "dehumanizes the colonizer," thus pointing to a commonality between colonialism and National Socialism. He argued that Western civilization had become morally ill through colonialism. He maintained that the colonial powers, through their brutality and exploitation, had not only dehumanized the colonized but had also "decivilized" themselves—for example, by fostering violence, racism, and moral relativism. Césaire likened this to a cancerous growth in Europe that ultimately brought about its own downfall and criticized hypocrisies such as the supposed "civilizing mission." Césaire saw colonialism as the core problem of Western society, which he believed was incapable of solving the issues of the proletariat and the colonies. He rejected missionary zeal and ideologies of progress, arguing that colonizers like Cortés brought only plunder and murder. Instead, he celebrated pre-colonial cultures of Africa, Vietnam, and the Aztecs as superior to European barbarity. The text originated as a speech against the war in Indochina and was published by the French Communist Party (PCF). Césaire, mayor of Fort-de-France and a member of parliament, later broke with communism but remained an anti-colonialist. He prophesied that colonialism would breed its own "Hitler"—a punishment for decadent civilizations. The idea of a connection between National Socialism and colonialism has its proponents, but it is also subject to criticism. Some researchers emphasize the differences between these phenomena, pointing out that the Holocaust had unique characteristics and a particular scale. Others warn of the danger of oversimplifying complex historical processes and blurring the lines between different forms of violence. The connection between National Socialism and colonialism thus remains a subject of scholarly debate. Many experts, however, see common ideological and philosophical roots linked to racism, dehumanization, and an imperialist worldview. What does National Socialism have to do with Africa? National Socialism and Africa are linked through some historical connections and ideological influences, although the direct influence of National Socialism on Africa remained limited. Key aspects of this relationship include: One of the main motivations of the National Socialists for starting wars was based on the idea of the racial superiority of the German people and the ideology that they did not have enough living space. This ideology also served to legitimize their demand for the recovery of former German colonies in Africa. Germany lost its African colonies (e.g., German East Africa) in the First World War, and under National Socialism, this loss was partly perceived as a defeat and an injustice. In Germany, a certain practical interest in African studies resurfaced during the Nazi era. For example, Swahili courses were requested as part of the "Strength Through Joy" program and by the Reichswehr (German Army). This demonstrates a renewed interest in African languages and cultures, albeit within an ideologically driven context. National Socialism and its racial theories were viewed in partially comparative or influencing relationships with other racist systems in Africa. Attempts were made to link National Socialist racial theories to African contexts or to see them as a model for racist practices in other countries. The racist and ethnic theories prevalent in National Socialism shared certain basic assumptions with other racist systems, including some aspects of apartheid in South Africa. Apartheid, officially introduced in South Africa in 1948, was based on strict racial segregation and discrimination, much like National Socialism was based on a racist ideology. However, the direct adoption of National Socialist ideas in South Africa was limited, and apartheid had its own historical and colonial roots. During the Nazi era, there were certain scientific and academic relationships between German and African institutions, although these were often characterized by ideological exaggeration and selective choice of research topics. It is important to emphasize that the direct influence of National Socialism on Africa was not all-encompassing and that many connections were indirect or through ideological parallels. Most African countries were still under European colonial rule at that time, and National Socialism was primarily present in Europe. If Nazi rule takes hold, doesn't that invite a possible comparison with some African presidents? Such comparisons between the Nazi regime and some African dictators are indeed drawn in historical and political science. Here are the main points: African dictators who are compared to Hitler/National Socialism 1. Robert Mugabe (Zimbabwe, 1980–2017) He described himself as "I am the Hitler of our time" (2003). Piloted his presidential plane after Hitler's plane; said about Hitler: "This Hitler has only one objective: justice for his people" His media title was: "Africa's Hitler" Maintaining power through violence. Secret police, military control; he had political opponents murdered. He was in power for 37 years, with imperial status. 2. Idi Amin (Uganda, 1971–1979) His media titles included: "Butcher of Africa", "Africa's Hitler", "Monster" His death toll is shockingly high; approximately 300,000 people were murdered on his orders. His brutality was indescribable; he sacrificed ministers to crocodiles, hammered opposition members, and killed students with machine gun fire. His rule was: unpredictable, megalomaniacal, bloodthirsty. 3. Mobutu Sese Seko (Zaire, 1965–1997) He was a tyrant, cultivated a personality cult, and had a totalitarian delusion. The comparison with Nazism: "Totalitarian delusion, sometimes equated with the Hitler or Stalin cult" He was the "father of the nation," with tyrannical control. A scientific perspective on this comparison. The similarities with National Socialism. 1. Totalitarian rule — Strong personality cult, complete control over culture and society 2. Persecution of political opponents — concentration camps/arbitrary imprisonment, murder of opposition members 3. Racism/ethnic persecution — Mobutu (persecution of Tutsi), Amin (expulsion of 50,000 Asians) 4. Apparatuses of violence — secret police, paramilitaries, systematic torture 5. Retention of power for decades — No functioning democracy/change of power MD differentiation criteria. - Ideology: Racial theory, extermination of Jews, Lebensraum in the East. Mostly personality cult. Ethnic favoritism, neocolonial dependency. -'Industrialized genocide: systematic Shoah (6 million Jews). Not industrial extermination (but mass murder) | Context: European totalitarian state. Often postcolonial power struggle structures. Such comparisons are understandable and discussed in scientific circles: Mugabe described himself as "the Hitler of our time" and admired Hitler. - Idi Amin was internationally referred to as "Africa's Hitler". - Both regimes show structural similarities: totalitarian personality cult, systematic violence against political opponents, decades of holding power without democratic change. 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