22 Nov. 45
They outlined this master race doctrine as a new religion -- the
faith of the blood --superseding in individual allegiance all other
religions and institutions. The Defendant Rosenberg and the Defendant
Streicher were particularly prominent in disseminating this doctrine.
Much of the evidence to be offered in this case will illustrate the
Nazi conspirators' continued espousal and exploitation of this master
race doctrine.
This doctrine had an eliminatory purpose. Call anything
"non-German" or Jewish, and you have a clear right, indeed
a duty, to cast it out. In fact purges did not stop at so-called
racial lines, but went far beyond.
The second important doctrine which permeates the entire
conspiracy and is one of the important links in establishing the
guilt of each of these defendants is the doctrine or concept of the
Führerprinzip, or leadership principle.
This doctrine permeated the Nazi Party and all its formations and
allied organizations and eventually permeated the Nazi State and all
institutions, and is of such; importance that I would like to dwell
upon it for a few moments and attempt to explain the concepts which
it embraces.
The Führerprinzip embodies two major political concepts
1. Authoritarianism;
2. Totalitarianism.
Authoritarianism implies the following: All authority is
concentrated at the top and is vested in one person only, the
Führer. It further implies that the Führer is infallible as
well as omnipotent. The Party manual states:
"Under the Commandments of the National Socialists: The
Führer is always right...."
Also, there are no legal or political limits to the authority of
the Führer. Whatever authority is wielded by others is derived
from the authority of the Führer. Moreover, within the sphere of
jurisdiction allotted to him, each appointee of the Führer
manipulates his power in equally unrestricted fashion, subordinate
only to the command of those above him. Each appointee owes
unconditional obedience to the Führer and to the superior Party
leaders in the hierarchy.
Each Political Leader was sworn in yearly. According to the Party
manual, which will be introduced in evidence, the wording of the oath
was as follows:
"I pledge eternal allegiance to
Adolf Hitler. I pledge unconditional obedience to him and the
Führer appointed by