Every time someone dares to ponder this question a tidal wave of unhappy socialists hit back online. Accusations fly of stupidity and a lack of understanding. Some imply dark motives, such as Nazi apologists. This constant flare-up intrigued me – ‘The lady doth protest too much, methinks
Hitler was a "national" socialist, as opposed to an international socialist. Hitler was not a Marxist, who were internationalists. Existing socialist parties were Marxist and had international orientations consisting of a belief that the working class was united more by its economic interests than the particular national interests of their home countries. The bete noirs of National Socialists were international in orientation and natures, such as the Catholic Church, with its leadership outside of Germany, Communism, based on Marxism, and, of course, "international Jewry."
Thank you for mentioning this important but often overlooked distinction in your essay.
Hitler was a "national" socialist, as opposed to an international socialist. Hitler was not a Marxist, who were internationalists. Existing socialist parties were Marxist and had international orientations consisting of a belief that the working class was united more by its economic interests than the particular national interests of their home countries. The bete noirs of National Socialists were international in orientation and natures, such as the Catholic Church, with its leadership outside of Germany, Communism, based on Marxism, and, of course, "international Jewry."
Thank you for mentioning this important but often overlooked distinction in your essay.