Why did Hitler adopt the salute?

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Garuda
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Why did Hitler adopt the salute?

#1

Post by Garuda » 03 Jul 2006, 09:29

It is quite clear and well known that Mussolini used the fascist salute first and that Italians were using it waaay earlier than Hitler. Hitler was quite an egomaniac so why did he,being a leader of Greater Germany adopt a salute from another country?I think that would be bad for Germany's image when millions of citizens adopt something from a neighbouring country.And from a country that almost went to war with them over Austria before the Axis alliance came into place.

Plus,Mussolini did adopt the salute as symbol that the old Roman system had been revived.Germany would have a high number of Goth and Frankish descendants so Hitler requesting these Goth descendants to adopt the salute of an empire that once tried to conquer them just seems so weird. :?

Edited later on:Okay,I rechecked the encyclopedia. :)
One group of Goths did ally with the Roman empire against the Huns but I think they resumed hostilities after the Huns left.Anyway,Goth culture and Roman culture is totally different(even when Hitler sees them both as white),I think

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Juenger
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#2

Post by Juenger » 04 Jul 2006, 00:14

Similar to the adoption of the very roman looking parade flags, when even reich-era songs (niedersachsenlied) make reference to stopping and casting down 'the roman eagle'
Wo fielen die römischen Schergen? Wo versank die welsche Brut?
In Niedersachsens Bergen, an Niedersachsens Wut.
Wer warf den röm'schen Adler nieder in den Sand?
Wer hielt die Freiheit hoch im Deutschen Vaterland?
Das war'n die Niedersachsen, sturmfest und erdverwachsen,
Heil Herzog Widukind Stamm.
reich
Image

roman
Image

Interesting question, anyway.


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Waylander
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#3

Post by Waylander » 04 Jul 2006, 12:09

I think that would be bad for Germany's image when millions of citizens adopt something from a neighbouring country.
And in reality, was it bad afterall?

Garuda
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#4

Post by Garuda » 05 Jul 2006, 11:32

Waylander wrote:
And in reality, was it bad afterall?
Life is weird.The amount of people in the world who know that Mussolini used the salute first is near nil.Instead, the salute became synonymous with the National Socialists the most because Germany kinda overshadowed Italy during the war.
More popular regime = gestures will be recognized more(even if it was unoriginal)

For all I know, :) Hitler could have his hair cut like Julius Caesar and even wear white Roman clothing during his famous speeches but that will be strange in German cultural terms and if people associated that with Hitler(rather than italy) it will be because he would end becoming more well known than Mussolini.

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HaEn
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salute

#5

Post by HaEn » 05 Jul 2006, 20:00

At the time (1944) this question came up in our [political education session.
Answer: "It was the adoption of the OLYMPIC greeting. Meaning: 'we come in peace, with open hand, and salute you"
For what it is worth.
HN

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Doggowitz
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#6

Post by Doggowitz » 06 Jul 2006, 12:55

Garuda,

The German states for nearly a thousand years (throughout the Medieval Ages until 1806, when Napoleon came...) used to be the Holy Roman Empire of German Nation. It was more or less the successor of the Ancient Roman Empire.
The German Emperors and Kings were hailed with exactly this salute. The Roman-German History didn't break with the downfall of Rome. Roman Culture and Traditions influenced LARGELY Germany. So Mussolini took it from the Roman Emperors and Hitler from the German Emperors, who themselve got it from the Romans.

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BigKaiser
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#7

Post by BigKaiser » 20 Jul 2006, 09:05

Hello...this is my first post-reply on this, how should i say, "the real truth" telling forum....I am not very familliar to the meanings of some german words, expresions, so be gentle..i`ve come here to learn more about the fascinating fact of history that is zthe THird Reich...

In my opinion, Hitler adopted the salute from Mussolini because they were allies..although, in the past, the huns and the romans weren`t actually "brothers", i think it would have look good for one fascist empire to have the same salute!..this is my oppinion!

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Denim Demon
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#8

Post by Denim Demon » 20 Jul 2006, 16:05

Hello,
Doggowitz, do you know if the practise of giving the roman salute to the holy roman emperor also was given to the kaiser of the second german reich? I have never seen any references to this, regarding the first nor the second reich. As far as I know, the german reich of 1871, was a direct dessentent of the previous first reich.

regards

dd

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Doggowitz
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#9

Post by Doggowitz » 21 Jul 2006, 21:58

The Second Reich (1871-1918) AFAIK didn't adopt the Salute. But it definately existed in the 1st Reich (Holy Roman Empire).

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Cantankerous
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Re:

#10

Post by Cantankerous » 11 Aug 2021, 05:13

BigKaiser wrote:
20 Jul 2006, 09:05
Hello...this is my first post-reply on this, how should i say, "the real truth" telling forum....I am not very familliar to the meanings of some german words, expresions, so be gentle..i`ve come here to learn more about the fascinating fact of history that is zthe THird Reich...

In my opinion, Hitler adopted the salute from Mussolini because they were allies..although, in the past, the huns and the romans weren`t actually "brothers", i think it would have look good for one fascist empire to have the same salute!..this is my oppinion!
According to History Answers, Hitler said in 1942 that the Nazi salute had German roots, adding: "“I’d read the description of the sitting of the Diet of Worms, in the course of which Luther was greeted with the German salute. It was to show him that he was not being confronted with arms, but with peaceful intentions. In the days of Frederick the Great, people still saluted with their hats, with pompous gestures. In the Middle Ages, the serfs humbly doffed their bonnets, whilst the noblemen gave the German salute."

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Hans1906
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Re: Why did Hitler adopt the salute?

#11

Post by Hans1906 » 11 Aug 2021, 13:26

"Saluto romano" https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saluto_romano

"Deutscher Gruß / Hitlergruß" https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hitlergruß

Yes, I know, "Wikipedia is not a reliable source!", but for a first overview more than enough information. :wink:


Hans

P.S. At that time, very few people in Germany said secretly: "The water is not only up to our neck, it's up to the right hand!"
("Galgenhumor" / Gallows humor...)
There is also a 45 minutes documentary about this topic av. online, later...
The paradise of the successful lends itself perfectly to a hell for the unsuccessful. (Bertold Brecht on Hollywood)

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