How did Nazis view the Aryan race?

The Nazis viewed the Aryan race as superior to all other races. This belief was central to their ideology, which posited that Aryans, particularly those of Northern European descent, were the "master race" destined to dominate others. The notion of Aryan supremacy justified numerous discriminatory policies and actions, including the persecution of Jews, Romani people, and other groups deemed "racially inferior." This worldview was embedded in Nazi propaganda, laws, and ultimately, their aggressive expansionist policies during World War II.

The origins of these beliefs can be traced back to pseudo-scientific theories that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which attempted to categorize human beings based on physical characteristics and cultural achievements. By promoting an image of the Aryan race as superior, the Nazis sought to unite their followers under a common racial ideology, which played a crucial role in their totalitarian governance and the genocidal actions taken against those they deemed threats to this so-called racial purity.