What did Hitler think of Russians? This question has intrigued historians and scholars for decades, as it delves into the complex and often misunderstood views of one of history’s most notorious figures, Adolf Hitler. As the leader of Nazi Germany, Hitler’s perception of Russians played a significant role in his geopolitical strategy and the devastating consequences that followed.
Hitler’s attitude towards Russians was marked by a mixture of admiration and disdain. On one hand, he was fascinated by the strength and resilience of the Russian people. He often expressed admiration for their ability to endure harsh conditions and maintain a sense of national identity. This admiration was evident in his admiration for Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy, whom he considered a great artist and a symbol of the Russian spirit.
However, Hitler’s admiration for the Russian people was overshadowed by his deep-seated anti-Russian sentiment. He viewed Russia as a threat to German expansion in Eastern Europe and as a symbol of the ” Asiatic ” influence that he believed was corrupting Western civilization. In his book “Mein Kampf,” Hitler wrote that Russia was “the most dangerous enemy of the German nation,” and that its ” Asiatic ” nature made it inherently inferior to the Aryan race, which he believed was superior.
Hitler’s anti-Russian sentiment was further fueled by his belief in the concept of Lebensraum, or “living space.” He envisioned Germany expanding its territory eastward, taking over parts of Poland, the Soviet Union, and other Eastern European countries. He saw the Russian people as obstacles to this expansion, and he planned to systematically annihilate them through forced deportations, ethnic cleansing, and other means.
One of the most infamous manifestations of Hitler’s anti-Russian sentiment was the Holocaust, during which millions of Jews, along with other ethnic and religious groups, including Russians, were systematically persecuted and killed. While the Holocaust was primarily aimed at the Jewish population, the anti-Russian sentiment was also a driving force behind the genocidal policies implemented by the Nazi regime.
In conclusion, what did Hitler think of Russians? His views were complex, encompassing both admiration for their resilience and disdain for their perceived threat to German expansion. His anti-Russian sentiment played a significant role in shaping his geopolitical strategy and ultimately led to the tragic consequences of World War II and the Holocaust. Understanding Hitler’s views on Russians is crucial for comprehending the depth of his ideological beliefs and the catastrophic impact they had on the world.
