Nuremberg Laws and the Rallies as a 'Religious Experience'

The Nuremberg Laws were a set of anti-Semitic laws enacted by the Nazi regime on September 15, 1935, during the annual Nuremberg Rally. These laws were pivotal in legally institutionalising the racial theories underpinning Nazi ideology.

Key Components

The Reich Citizenship Law

• This law stripped Jews of their German citizenship, relegating them to mere subjects of the state. Only those of "German or related blood" could be citizens, thus excluding Jews from all political rights.

The Law for the Protection of German Blood and German Honour

• This law prohibited marriages and extramarital relations between Jews and non-Jewish Germans. It also banned Jews from employing German women under the age of 45 in their households.

Supplementary Decrees

• These detailed further restrictions on Jews, including prohibitions on displaying the Reich and national flag, and imposed severe punishments for violations of these laws.

Impact

• The Nuremberg Laws effectively marginalised Jews, excluding them from public life and many professions, and marked the beginning of a systematic legal framework for their persecution.

Why Nuremberg for the Rallies?

• Nuremberg was chosen due to its historical importance in the Holy Roman Empire and its symbolic representation of Germanic culture and tradition.
• Its central location in Germany made it accessible for attendees from all over the country.
• The city had large open spaces suitable for mass gatherings, which facilitated the grandiose nature of the rallies.

The Rallies as a Religious Experience

• The Nuremberg Rallies were meticulously designed to evoke a sense of religious fervour and communal transcendence among attendees. The orchestrated spectacle, grandiose architecture, and elaborate rituals transformed these political events into quasi-religious experiences. Adolf Hitler was often portrayed as a messianic figure, and the rallies served to reinforce his divine-like status among the German people.

  • Symbolism and ritual played a crucial role in creating this religious atmosphere. Massive swastika banners, towering columns, and dramatic lighting were all employed to create a sense of awe and reverence. The architecture of the rally grounds, including the Zeppelin Field with its monumental grandstand and the Cathedral of Light created by anti-aircraft searchlights, mirrored the grandeur of religious cathedrals.

• Music and chants added to the spiritual dimension of the rallies. Horst Wessel Lied, the Nazi anthem, was sung with an almost hymnal quality, while the synchronised movements of thousands of participants resembled religious processions. The speeches, especially those by Hitler, were delivered with an enthusiasm that stirred the crowd's emotions, akin to a preacher's sermon. Hitler's rhetoric often invoked themes of sacrifice, destiny, and purification, further aligning the Nazi movement with religious motifs.

• The ritualistic elements of the rallies, such as the oath-taking ceremonies and torchlight processions, created a sense of belonging and collective identity among participants. The rallies provided a platform for individuals to lose themselves in the collective will of the Nazi state, experiencing a sense of unity and purpose that transcended the mundane. This spiritualisation of politics was key to the Nazis' ability to mobilise the masses and maintain loyalty to the regime.

Enemies of the Rallies

• Jews were primary targets of Nazi ideology, depicted as the ultimate enemy of the Aryan race. The rallies were used to propagate anti-Semitic propaganda, portraying Jews as corrupting influences and existential threats to German purity and prosperity. This demonisation was a cornerstone of the rallies' messaging, reinforcing the regime's racial policies and justifying the subsequent persecution and genocide.
  • Communists were also vilified at the rallies. The Nazis framed communism as a Jewish conspiracy aimed at destroying the German nation. Speeches and propaganda at the rallies depicted communists as subversive elements intent on undermining the social order and economic stability. By targeting communists, the Nazis sought to consolidate their power by eliminating political opposition and unifying the populace against a common enemy.

• The Treaty of Versailles was another frequent target. The Nazis blamed the treaty for Germany's post-World War I humiliation and economic woes. At the rallies, Hitler and other speakers condemned the treaty's harsh terms, using it to stoke nationalist fervour and justify their aggressive expansionist policies. The denunciation of the treaty resonated deeply with many Germans who felt betrayed by the Weimar Republic and the Allied powers.