National Socialist German Workers' Party, the political party, led by Adolf Hitler, that ruled Germany from 1933 to 1945. Its members were called Nazis. It was founded as the German Workers' party in 1918, and "National Socialist" was added to the name in 1920. The swastika, an ancient art motif, was adopted as the official party symbol.
A NaziA Nazi propaganda poster featuring Adolf Hitler.
The Nazi movement paralleled the Fascist wave in Italy. Both parties were intensely nationalistic and contemptuous of democracy. The Nazis, however, put greater stress on racial theories. They called the Germans "the master race" and considered other peoples inferior. The Jews were their special object of hatred.
An unsuccessful revolt by Hitler in 1923 damaged the Nazi movement for years. By 1932, however, it had become the largest party in Germany. After Hitler became chancellor in 1933, other parties dissolved themselves or were suppressed. When President Paul von Hindenburg died in 1934 a totalitarian state (the Third Reich) was established with Hitler as Der Fhrer (The Leader). A plebiscite overwhelmingly confirmed him in power. From that time the Nazis were virtually without opposition until the end of World War II. After the war, the Nazi party was outlawed by the Allied occupation authorities.
Provisions in Germany's Basic Law (constitution) allow the government to ban extremist political organizations, including Neo-Nazi groups. However, because of the difficulty of identifying and banning all such groups, Neo-Nazi organizations continue to exist in Germany. Organizations advocating Nazi doctrines also exist in other countries