How did the Nazis use this ‘identity’ to define and exclude others?

Waffen SS poster. Source: www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk

German citizens were educated in the propaganda of Nazi stereotypes and prejudice, which led to extreme hatred towards groups who were not seen as 'pure' Aryans.

Germans of Jewish faith were among the people who were not seen as `pure' Aryans and therefore had no place in Germany.

There were other groups of people who were also excluded.These were the mentally and physically disabled, gypsies (Sinti and Roma), black people and children of mixed marriages, homosexuals and Jehovah's Witnesses. It was the task of the SS to put into practice Nazi racial beliefs.

SS is an abbreviation of Schutzstaffel or Protection Squad. They wore sleek black-uniforms with badges of double lightning, skulls and silver daggers. The SS were led by Heinrich Himmler.

SS men were taught racial hatred and told to harden their hearts to human suffering. They had to declare absolute obedience and loyalty to Der Führer.

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