Last Podcast On The Left
Last Podcast On The Left
"The only thing that we just can count on is the lack of education of the zoomers. And that's what has led to this." — Ed Larson
"The only thing that we just can count on is the lack of education of the zoomers. And that's what has led to this." — Ed Larson
"The only thing that we just can count on is the lack of education of the zoomers. And that's what has led to this." — Ed Larson
This installment of the "Heinrich Himmler" series explores the establishment and function of the Annenerbe, an SS organization dedicated to researching and propagating a fabricated Nazi history and religion. Himmler's deep-seated belief in Aryan superiority and a distorted view of history fueled the Annenerbe's mission to find "evidence" of ancient Aryan achievements, often through pseudoscientific and occult lenses. The institute engaged in a wide range of activities, from "archaeological" expeditions to collect relics and "prove" Aryan origins in places like Tibet, to rewriting history to align with Nazi ideology, particularly concerning the supposed achievements of ancient Germanic peoples and the denigration of other cultures.
The episode details how the Annenerbe sought to replace Christianity with a paganistic "Aryan religion," complete with new rituals and symbols, and how it actively worked to discredit or reframe historical facts to fit the Nazi narrative. This included attempts to "scientifically" prove concepts like the World Ice Theory and to invent historical justifications for policies like Lebensraum and the persecution of homosexuals. The organization employed a mix of genuine scholars willing to bend the truth and more extreme figures, all under Himmler's direction, to create a compelling, albeit false, historical and cultural foundation for the Nazi regime.
Furthermore, the discussion highlights the pervasive use of propaganda and controlled media by the Nazis to disseminate these fabricated histories and beliefs to the German populace. The Annenerbe's work aimed to instill a sense of national pride and historical validation, particularly in the wake of Germany's defeat in World War I, by creating a narrative of Aryan supremacy and a glorious past. The episode concludes by emphasizing the insidious nature of this propaganda and how it contributed to the broader Nazi agenda, including preparations for war and the justification of their horrific actions.