The Hitler Salute Was Never German
This article explores the historical origins of the Nazi salute, tracing it back to ancient Roman traditions and its subsequent adoption by Benito Mussolini. It argues that Hitler appropriated the gesture from Italian fascists while attempting to obscure its true origins.
Why it matters
Understanding the historical appropriation of symbols is crucial for identifying how extremist movements use historical revisionism to legitimize their ideologies.
Origin and Inspiration Hitlers Fascination and Concealing the Origin Obligation and Control Mechanism Like this: Related articles It began in ancient Rome. Mussolini adopted it. Hitler copied it, and then lied about where it came from.
The Nazi salute. As soon as you look up anything at all about World War II, you’re bound to come across the so-called Nazi salute within a few minutes, or even seconds. Although today it primarily symbolizes Nazism and reverence for Hitler, the Nazis were not actually the ones who invented this salute. Its origins go back much further, as it was based on the Roman salute, which was first adopted by the Italian fascists under Mussolini. But why did the German Nazis also adopt this salute?
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