NationStates Jolt Archive


Reichsführer tainted?

Tannenmille
30-05-2005, 05:54
Lately, I've been really thinking about changing my leader's title. My nation is not based on the Third Reich in any way, but the political system is based on the Second Reich. Is the term "Reichsführer" considered to be a Nazi term when not referring to Himmler?
Patra Caesar
30-05-2005, 06:05
Lately, I've been really thinking about changing my leader's title. My nation is not based on the Third Reich in any way, but the political system is based on the Second Reich. Is the term "Reichsführer" considered to be a Nazi term when not referring to Himmler?

While you don't intend it to be a symbol of Nazism, others who read it will interpret it that way. It's like the 'Hitler Moustash,' if you wear one and it has nothing to do with Hitler then people will still probably assume you're a Nazi even if you're not. I say if you use it, just try and make it very clear that you don't want to be attached to the stigma of Nazis, although people will probably anyway.
Individualnost
30-05-2005, 06:08
Lately, I've been really thinking about changing my leader's title. My nation is not based on the Third Reich in any way, but the political system is based on the Second Reich. Is the term "Reichsführer" considered to be a Nazi term when not referring to Himmler?
Yes, it is (if by Himmler you mean Hitler. Sorry I'm not educated enough to remember who Himmler is). I must say, aside, your signature isn't helping any either. LoL But anything with the word "führer" in it is interpreted by the post WWII world as pertaining somehow to der Führer himself.
Tannenmille
30-05-2005, 06:21
Heinrich Himmler was the Reichsführer-SS in Nazi Germany. And I am a member of the Anti-Nazi Pact, I just need to put it in my signature.
Verghastinsel
30-05-2005, 06:24
I suppose that if you took it simply as a title, with no historical tags, then provided Reichsführer was an accurate description of a position then you should use it. You simply have to realise that führer is a word in the German language, not just a skivy little way of saying 'Hitler'.
Tannenmille
30-05-2005, 06:29
I do realize the Führer is a word in German, but post-Nazi Germany, "Führer" alone has been severely frowned upon IIRC. I do not mean Reichsführer as in OMGOMGZ0r N4zz!, but merely as the title I feel fits my leader the best.
Libertistia
30-05-2005, 06:38
I do realize the Führer is a word in German, but post-Nazi Germany, "Führer" alone has been severely frowned upon IIRC. I do not mean Reichsführer as in OMGOMGZ0r N4zz!, but merely as the title I feel fits my leader the best.

what's the IIRC?
Individualnost
30-05-2005, 06:41
Heinrich Himmler was the Reichsführer-SS in Nazi Germany. And I am a member of the Anti-Nazi Pact, I just need to put it in my signature.
Thanks, now I remember him. It's been a few years since European History class. And I didn't mean take out the quote, it's an amazingly true quote, but I was jesting with you. Simply put, though, most people see "führer" and automatically think der Führer. It drives those German student sons of German language majors mad, the crazy antiKrautism that still surrounds Nazi Germany when many contemporary Americans speak of Hitler's Reich. I mean, he was the deadliest and ruthless fascist dictator in history, so he killed the most people man for man than anyone else, but if you look at it in perspective, esp. form a historical perspective, I believe Attila the Hun committed worse crimes in proportion.
Tannenmille
30-05-2005, 06:44
I'll agree that he was the deadliest and most ruthless fascist dictator ever, but most people forget the crimes of other less-infamous dictators, such as Stalin, and as you said, Atilla the Hun.

(And as for my quote, I was getting tired of it anyway. But I do like many of his quotes, and my current one is another of his)
Maharlikana
30-05-2005, 06:46
depends on whether you're a Fuhrer or DER Fuhrer
PlanetaryConfederation
30-05-2005, 06:47
Stalin was worse.

Use it, enjoy it, treasure it; but make sure if anyone asks you explain to them that using the term "Nazi" itself is politically incorrect, and by calling you it for using a title that in German only means Leader of the Nation is only further proof that ignorance in the world is a common and painful thing.
Individualnost
30-05-2005, 06:49
depends on whether you're a Fuhrer or DER Fuhrer
And in German, der Reichsführer has an entirely different meaning than der Führer. The latter is an absolute, THE Leader, as in the only on ever, and the penultimate leader to end all leaders, which is what Hitler viewed himself to be. A Reichsführer is simply and literally the leader of the state or gov't.
Individualnost
30-05-2005, 06:52
Stalin was worse.
I agree. If there is one thing in all of history (and I don't think there's just one) in which Satan had his utter and overpowering influence, it was obviously the rise of Stalin and the belittlement/defeat/exile/murder of Trotsky. Oh, such a man could have made the USSR what the US is today! If only he hadn't ended up in Mexico where it was easy for Stalin's agents to assassinate him. I feel the same about Kerensky vs. Lenin.