The Aryans Adolf Hitler Admired: Myths and Reality
When discussing Adolf Hitler's fascination with certain racial groups, it is important to clarify and contextualize his beliefs and the term 'Aryans'. Contrary to popular belief, Hitler did not revere a discreet and identifiable group of people by that exact name. Instead, he crafted a distorted and narrow interpretation of the group to align with his ideologies.
Who Were the Aryans?
The term 'Aryans' is more accurately understood as an alternative term for 'Indo-European'. It refers to a related group of languages, including Persian, Sanskrit, Greek, Latin, Celtic, and Germanic languages. The concept that all these modern languages descend from a single Proto-Indo-European language is well-established in linguistic studies.
Historians and linguists believe that the speakers of this Proto-Indo-European language likely inhabited areas in the middle of the map that now includes parts of Europe and South Asia. These people are often theorized to have been skilled horse riders and worshippers of a patriarchal sky-god.
Interestingly, the term 'Aryan' also literally means 'noble' in Sanskrit and Persian. However, modern historians do not accept the theory that this was the original self-description of the Proto-Indo-European speakers.
The Misconception of Aryan Conquerors
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, it was popularly believed that the Aryans were mighty conquerors who expanded into India, Persia (Iran), and Europe, subjugating and conquering 'lesser' races. This idea, while a misinterpretation of historical and linguistic developments, appealed to thinkers like Hitler. He envisioned conquest and empire-building, akin to what he saw as the Aryan legacy.
Hitler's racial ideology, however, distorted this historical idea. He claimed that the Aryans who settled in India and Persia (later referred to as Iranians) and the Slavic nations had lost their dominance by intermingling with their subject races. He viewed the Germanic people as the only true carriers of pure Aryan blood, suitable to achieve world domination in his vision of the future.
Hitler's Speculations on Race and Power
Hitler elevated the status of northern Europeans, Scandinavians, Dutch, Germans, English, and Vikings to the status of 'superior abilities' people. His ideology concluded that maintaining 'pure' Aryan blood was crucial for a nation to remain strong. He also believed that any intermarriage with 'lesser' races would lead to degeneracy, a fate that he saw as having befallen the Aryans of India and Persia and the Slavic nations to a lesser extent.
It's important to note the historical and linguistic inaccuracy in Hitler's views. The Nazis did not speak of 'Aryan blood'; they instead used the term 'German and kindred blood'. Hitler himself was German, and at the time, Austria was considered part of the Greater German concept.
Conclusion
The question itself is flawed since it assumes a specific group named 'Aryans' that Hitler idolized. In reality, Hitler was more interested in the concept of 'Aryan' as a racial and cultural ideal, which was aligned with his ambitions. He was a master of misinterpretation and propaganda, weaving these concepts into his broader Nazi ideology.
This article aims to shed light on the historical and linguistic inaccuracies surrounding Hitler's view of 'Aryans' and the impact of his misinterpretation on world history. Understanding these concepts is crucial for recognizing the dangers of racial and cultural discrimination and the importance of accurate historical interpretation.