There is historical evidence to suggest that the racist policies and practices in the United States, particularly during the early 20th century, had some influence on Nazi Germany. Here are some works that discuss this influence:
1. “Hitler’s American Model: The United States and the Making of Nazi Race Law” by James Q. Whitman – This book explores the impact of American race laws, particularly in the southern states, on Nazi Germany’s racial policies. It argues that the Nazis drew inspiration from the Jim Crow laws and eugenics movement prevalent in the United States.
2. “The Nazi Connection: Eugenics, American Racism, and German National Socialism” by Stefan Kühl – This book examines the intellectual and scientific exchanges between American eugenicists and German racial theorists before and during the Nazi era. It highlights the influence of American eugenics and racial theories on Nazi ideology.
3. “War Against the Weak: Eugenics and America’s Campaign to Create a Master Race” by Edwin Black – This comprehensive work explores the history of the eugenics movement in the United States and its influence on Nazi Germany’s racial policies. It documents how American eugenicists and their ideas were embraced and implemented by the Nazis.
The influence of American racist policies on Nazi Germany can be summarized as follows:
a. Racial Laws: Nazi Germany’s Nuremberg Laws, enacted in 1935, were partly inspired by American race laws, such as laws promoting racial segregation and anti-miscegenation statutes.
b. Eugenics Movement: The American eugenics movement, which advocated for selective breeding and sterilization to improve the genetic quality of the population, influenced Nazi eugenics policies. The Nazis implemented similar measures, including forced sterilization and eventually mass extermination.
c. Racial Hierarchies: The concept of a racial hierarchy, prevalent in American racial theories, also found resonance in Nazi ideology. The belief in Aryan racial superiority and the persecution of minority groups drew on similar notions promoted in the United States.
It is important to note that while there were influences, the Nazi regime had its own unique characteristics and extreme ideology that cannot be solely attributed to the United States. The works mentioned above provide detailed accounts of the connections and influences between the two, shedding light on this complex historical relationship.