Himmlerism is a political movement formed around the ideology and philosophy of Heinrich Himmler, one of the main leaders of Nazi Germany and the head of the Schutzstaffel (SS). Himmlerism is closely associated with Esoteric Nazism and National Spartanism, having its unique features and disagreements with the mainstream Hitlerite Nazism.

History

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Heinrich Himmler, who became Reichsführer-SS in 1929, began to shape the SS as an elite unit based not only on political loyalty but also on racial and occult principles. Under his leadership, the SS transformed into a powerful force with both military and political power.

The main features of Himmlerism include a belief in Aryan supremacy, the glorification of ancient Germanic and Nordic myths, and attempts to blend Nazi ideology with occult practices. Himmler also paid special attention to the development and preservation of "Aryan" blood through the Lebensborn program, aimed at increasing the birth rate among "racially pure" Germans.

Connection to Esoteric Nazism

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Himmlerism is one of the key components of Esoteric Nazism, which combined Nazi ideology with occultism and pseudoscience. Himmler was fascinated by mysticism, occultism, and ancient Germanic beliefs, which was reflected in the activities of the SS and his personal projects. He created the Ahnenerbe institute, aimed at studying and restoring the "Aryan" heritage.

National Spartanism

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National Spartanism, part of the Himmlerist ideology, aimed to create a society based on strict disciplinary principles and military valor, inspired by Sparta. Himmler believed that only through the creation of such a society could the survival and dominance of the Aryan race be ensured.

Disagreements with Hitler

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Despite his loyalty to Hitler, Himmler had his own views and approaches, which sometimes diverged from those of the Führer. One of the main disagreements was the attitude towards Christianity. While Hitler criticized the church, he did not seek its complete destruction. Himmler, however, saw Christianity as a threat to the Aryan spirit and promoted neo-pagan and occult beliefs.

Notes

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References

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  • Kater, Michael H. Das "Ahnenerbe" der SS 1935-1945. Ein Beitrag zur Kulturpolitik des Dritten Reiches. Stuttgart: Deutsche Verlags-Anstalt, 1974.
  • Goodrick-Clarke, Nicholas. The Occult Roots of Nazism: Secret Aryan Cults and Their Influence on Nazi Ideology. New York University Press, 1992.
  • Padfield, Peter. Himmler: Reichsfuhrer-SS. London: Cassell, 2001.
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