Viking Nazism and Fascism
Although there are many wars, occupations and challenges that were faced by
the Europeans during the course of their history, the Viking Age still remains
as one of the most interesting and unique phases which started on the eighth
century, lasting until 1066 A.D. From Eastern and Western Europe, the Scandinavian
warriors' influence and occupation extended to as far as Asia, Africa and America.
The Vikings founded the most prominent city in Ireland that is Dublin, as well
as other major cities in the European continent. They left the legacy of the
Scandinavian origin on some terms, which still exist, in the English language
up until today.
The raids and attacks of the Vikings all across Europe came as a shock to a
lot of the locale people. Because they often targeted monasteries and religious
places, they thought it to be an attack against their religion in general.
With the Battle of Stamford Bridge in 1066, the raiding conducted by the Viking
warriors all across Europe gradually ceased. By the time that Christianity spread
across Europe and the smaller kingdoms within Europe began showing signs of
unity and resistance to further violence, the Nordic attacks and their influence
over the rest of the continent experiences a gradual decline, signaling the
end of the three-century old Viking saga.
The Viking Age: Nazism and Fascism
To have a deeper understanding of the Nazism and Fascism aspect of the Viking
Age, here are a few basic definitions of terms:
The term Nazism refers to the ideologies left by the Nazis during the time
of Adolf Hitler. Fascism, on the other hand, refers to the centralization of
a leader's authority over a nation. It typically involved policies of nationalism
and racism that exhibits oppressive control over the people.
Just like the Romanticism of the Viking Age during the eighth century with
the works of Eirk Geijer and Esias Tegner, the Nazis in Germany went on to think
that they could use the Viking imagery to their advantage. These romantic images
of the Vikings were used in Nazism. The'Nasjonal Samling' or the National Gathering
of Norway was a fascist party who held a strong national belief and attitude.
They used the romantic symbolisms used by the artists, writers and poets of
that time in their own propaganda.
The Nazis took advantage of the fact that the Vikings had descendants in Germany.
Until now, the identities based on the Nordic influences are can be seen on
the icons used by the National Socialist advocates.
Original Authors:
Jennifer Tumanda
Edit Update Authors: None
Updated On: 05/12/2006
