Principles- Führer der Nation (Leader of the Nation) – 9/5/2015

   The few years in which Nazism prevailed represented one of the darkest historical periods. Nazis tried to make the world to be their own, however time proved that there is no place for those who think that the world is only theirs. Today, Russia celebrates victory over Nazism which considers a victory of the human principles.

   Russia’s celebrations of the Victory DAY start on 9th of May commemorating the victory of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany; following the signing of the German Instrument of Surrender at World War II. This day is marked to be a victory of humanity.
   Nazism is a political movement that started in Germany following the First World War led by Adolf Hitler. It managed to seize control of the country; calling it the Third Reich (the third kingdom) and referred to Hitler as Führer der Nation (Leader of the Nation).The enthusiasm that Nazism met by is maybe due to its defeat in the World War I and The Treaty of Versailles along with the economical crisis. Moreover, Germans felt that leaders gave u on their country. Thus, one of Hitler’s objectives was to let the “Aryan race” dominate over any other race in Great Germany believing that it is the best human race on earth.
Nazism depended on gaining many fans to constitute Nazi groups at South of Germany who collaborated with those in Munich. Hitler enjoyed many traits, most importantly, his talented organizational skills and his effective speeches which helped him to be a successful leader of the party.
   Nazism was met with success due to its propaganda that involves achieving justice. However, it was based on racism and fanaticism. It also believed in the excellence of Aryan race over other races.
   To achieve its beliefs, Nazism used all the dishonorable methods like: suppression, genocide and detention of protesters. Hitler was bent on achieving his dream no matter how many people would die which led to World War II and it was the end result of those fanatic beliefs.
   One of the most horrible deeds of Nazism regime was the Holocaust that aimed to get rid of the Jew, gypsies and other races. Hitler considered them unworthy of life. He used the gloomiest period of history, the Armenian genocide, for his interest, saying, “Who, after all, speaks today of the annihilation of the Armenians?” during his speech on 22/8/1939.This was his motive to commit these unspeakable cruel inhumane crimes. Nuremberg trials were a series of military tribunals lasted for long years to prosecute all the members of Nazism movement.
Soviets’ victory over the Nazis in Battle of Stalingrad was a turning point to Nazism. With the approach of the third year of World War II, Nazis kept sneaking into the Soviet Union and met by weak resistance till they reached Mamayev Hill overlooking the city of Volgograd and Volga River. In the battle of Stalingrad, Nazi forces were retreated and began to take their first step toward defeat. The soviet army made progress and achieved victory over Nazis along with all its principles and ideas that breached all humane values and principles. Many years have passed, but we shouldn’t forget the heroic victory and people who sacrificed their lives to achieve it. We don’t know all the champions of those stories yet we should not forget how they defeated all the inhumane principles and values.

General Bishop
Head of the Coptic Orthodox Cultural Center