How American, White and Christian Nationalists Borrowed from Nazi Germany Part 2

While Nazi Germany borrowed ideas from Jim Crow segregation and American racial laws, the exchange of racist ideology did not end there. After World War II, American white nationalists and Christian nationalists adapted Nazi-era antisemitic and racist tactics to modernize their own movements. From the rise of paramilitary groups to the spread of conspiracy theories, echoes of Nazi ideology remain deeply embedded in contemporary American politics.

Antisemitic Nazi Tropes Recycled for American White Nationalism

Nazi propaganda portrayed Jews as secretly controlling the government, media, and banks, fueling public resentment and justifying persecution. Today, American white nationalists and Christian nationalists have repackaged these same ideas under new labels:

• “Jewish Control” → “Globalist Elites”

  • Nazis depicted Jews as an all-powerful force controlling finance and politics.
  • Modern white nationalists use the term “globalists” (often a coded reference to Jews) to claim that figures like George Soros manipulate world events.

• “Degenerate Culture” → “Cultural Marxism”

  • Nazis blamed Jews for corrupting German culture with “degenerate” modern art and liberal values.
  • Today, Christian nationalists accuse “cultural Marxists” (often implying Jews) of undermining American values through feminism, LGBTQ+ rights, and secularism.

• “Jewish Bolshevism” → “Radical Leftist Agenda”

  • Nazis accused Jews of spreading communism and threatening national tradition.
  • Today, white nationalists blame Jews and Black activists for “destroying America” through socialism, CRT, and Black Lives Matter (BLM).

The Rise of Paramilitary Movements Inspired by Nazi Brownshirts

Modern American far-right militias have adopted Nazi Brownshirt-style tactics to intimidate minorities and political opponents.

• Groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers mimic the Brownshirts’ violent street presence, engaging in armed protests and political intimidation.
• Charlottesville (2017) saw neo-Nazis chanting “Jews Will Not Replace Us”, demonstrating how Nazi rhetoric has been absorbed into the American far-right.

Christian Nationalism’s Parallels to Nazi Theocracy

Christian Nationalism in the U.S. seeks to redefine America as a Christian-only nation, rejecting religious pluralism and echoing Nazi efforts to “purify” German Christianity by removing Jewish influence.

• Nazi Germany promoted “Positive Christianity” to align Christianity with Aryan supremacy.
• Christian Nationalists in the U.S. push for government policies that privilege Christianity, often marginalizing Jews, Muslims, and secular Americans.

Conclusion: The Cycle of Racial and Religious Oppression

The historical exchange between Nazi antisemitism and American white supremacy shows how oppression is not static—it evolves. Just as the Nazis borrowed from Jim Crow, modern American white nationalists and Christian nationalists have borrowed from Nazi ideology to justify exclusionary policies, antisemitic conspiracies, and political violence.

The challenge today is recognizing how these historical patterns continue to shape American politics—and taking action to prevent them from escalating into full-scale persecution. Understanding the past is the first step in dismantling these cycles of hate before they lead to new forms of racial and religious oppression.