The völkisch ideology and the roots of Nazism; the early writings of Arthur Moeller van den Bruck

104 Pages·1973·4.586 MB·English

by  Paul Harrison Silfen

A revealing analysis of the intellectual climate
during the early years of Hitler’s rise to power,
as shown in the mystical and racist works of an
early twentieth-century German writer
$5.00
The Volkisch Ideology
and the Roots of Nazism
The Early Writings of
Arthur Moeller van den Bruck
Paul Harrison Silfen
Nazism. The word evokes many images
in the minds of all those who lived during
the period when Germany was in the grip
of the National Socialists—and in the minds
of those who were born too late to experi-
ence the holocaust, but who have knowl-
edge of that bleak and cruel period. Nazism
—it is a phenomenon which has called forth
the most minute scrutiny and analysis by
historians and other thoughtful individuals
in many countries.
The “conventional wisdom” of high school
and college history courses alleges that the
rise of Nazism was the fruit of German
shame and resentment which festered in
the wake of World War I. In The Vélkisch
Ideology and the Roots of Nazism, Pro-
fessor Paul Silfen deflates the myth that
this alone sufficiently explains the rise of
Nazism. Building his case on the pre-World
War I writings of the German author Moel-
ler van den Bruck, Silfen demonstrates the
role played by the Volkisch ideology in
preparing the ground for the seeds of
Nazism.
Moeller was but one of many writers in
the Volkisch camp. He was one of the most
prolific, however, both prior to and im-
mediately after World War I, and his works
(continued on back flap)
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The Volkisch Ideology
and
the Roots of Nazism
The Early Writings of Arthur Moeller yan den Bruck
Paul Harrison Silfen
6) An Exposition-University Book
Exposition Press - New York
To Sister Madeleine Crotty
First EDITION
© 1973 by Paul H. Silfen
All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole
or in part, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage
and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
Publisher. Inquiries should be addressed to Exposition Press, Inc.,
50 Jericho Turnpike, Jericho, N.Y. 11753
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CATALOG CARD NUMBER: 73-86549
ISBN 0-682-47786-9
Manufactured in the United States of America
Published simultaneously in Canada by Transcanada Books
CONTENTS
Preface Vii
Moeller van den Bruck’s Early Writings
The Life of Arthur Moeller van den Bruck
Civilization vs. Culture 13
The Concept of the “Volk” 18
History and Power 30
Nature and the Concept of “Rootedness” 38
A German Church 45
Jews and Negroes in Moeller’s Writings 53
Conclusion 65
The Anti-Semitism of Russia 70
Notes 73
Bibliography 81
Index 85
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