Can anyone tell me what the origin and the significance of the hitler salute was in the second world war?

Question

I am trying to work out where the salute originated and why it became the norm as to a different salute?

Answer 1

The Hitler salute (Hitlergruß), also known in German during World War II as the Deutscher Gruß ("German Greeting"), and in English as the Nazi salute, is a salute which is variant of the Roman salute adopted by the National Socialist German Workers Party as a sign of loyalty to its leader Adolf Hitler.

It was adopted following its use by supporters of Italian fascism, a political movement under the leadership of Benito Mussolini, and other mass movements of the era (see Roman salute for details). The Hitler salute became the embodiment of Hitler's massive cult of personality throughout Germany. The right hand is held upward at right angles to the chest, or else slightly raised, and is often accompanied by the exclamation of Nazi slogans such as Sieg Heil! or Heil Hitler!.

Answer 2

Like Napolean, Hitler looked up to the ancient Romans. Whereas Napolean built the arc d'triomph like the Romans did, Hitler adopted the Roman salute, legion standards & eagle, with some derivation.

In fact, the term "fascists" also originated from the Roman "fasces", the ropes that bind the sticks around an axe which are carried by licters. This symbolises authority.

Answer 3

It was the Roman salute to Caesar. Both Hitler and Mussolini were tickled at the idea of a connection to the most powerful empire the world had ever known. To them, the salute implied power. Absolute power, and possibly divine power. Yes, Hitler was also into the Roman divinities. Roman rather than Greek, as they also exuded more real authority.

Answer 4

With regards to Pookie's statement, I doubt that the Nazi salute was based off of the Roman salute. Reason being is that Hitler was an occultist and believed heavily in symbolism. The swashtika was supposedly an ancient symbol that the Germanic tribes carried into battle many centuries before, defining a great battle where they defeated the Roman legions in the region.

However, this is but speculation on my part.

Answer 5

http://worcester.indymedia.org/mail.php?id=715

According to this website, that salute was an original U.S. salute during the pledge of Allegiance.... Don't know how accurate that is, but it is an interesting thought. There's also some links in the statement that probably back up the theory.

http://members.ij.net/rex/pledgesalute.html

another site that shows a picture of kids saluting the American flag and claiming the Nazi salute came from the U.S. How odd! I will be reading these sites more to find out. But so far, looks like that is one of the places it could have come from.

Answer 6

Sure, the Hitler salute became the 'norm' as you put it because of it's efficiency. During self abuse, the tripod stance or Hitler salute as it became known circa 1940's, enables more accurate aim of the baby gravy. Whereas the more traditional method blocks vision, head too close to wall, or so I've been told.

Answer 7

Since about 1925 this greeting was used by members of the NSDAP in Germany.
Hitler copied the symbolism from Mussolini, but the greeting 'Heil' he brought along from his home - Austria, where this was commonly used to greet friends etc.
Between 1933 - 1945 it was expected that everyone use this greeting to re-enforce the acknowledgement of the 'Führer'. Non-compliance was punishable.
The hand being raised to eye level at an angle was introduced, as non-military peopleweren't trained (and some were just incapable) to perform a proper military salute.

Answer 8

"Hitler and the SS leader Heinrich Himmler believed that it originated from ancient gatherings of Germanic peoples. Hitler regarded the salute as a demonstration of the warlike spirit of the Germans, while Himmler regarded it as a variant of the gesture of giving an oath with a raised spear."

It was used by the Roman legions and was also used in pre-World War II schools when students recited the pledge of allegience daily.

Answer 9

It originates form the Holy Roman Empire, Hitler believed that it came from an early Germanic tribe this may be true but the Romans invaded and conquered Germany, they settled there for many years.

Answer 10

Was it not the original Roman salute? The leader of Germany used to be called the Kaiser. This is the way the name of Caesar is correctly pronounced.