The Ahnenerbe Conspiracy - Forgotten History

Summary

The video delves into the Ahnenerbe, a Nazi think tank founded by Heinrich Himmler, which was obsessed with proving the superiority of the Aryan race. It explores their use of archaeology, mysticism, and pseudo-science to justify their racist ideology, including attempts to link Aryan origins to ancient civilizations. The Ahnenerbe's work influenced Nazi propaganda and the Holocaust, despite their findings being largely fabricated. The video also highlights the Nazis' exploitation of these theories for political gain and hints at their legacy in modern culture through movies like Indiana Jones.

Takeaways

• 🏛️ Ahnenerbe was a Nazi think tank established by Heinrich Himmler, focused on promoting the Aryan race's superiority and its historical and cultural influence.
• 🎥 The Indiana Jones film series, while fictional, draws inspiration from the real-life Nazi expeditions to find holy relics, symbolizing their quest for power and validation of their ideology.
• 🔍 The Nazis funded numerous expeditions worldwide to find and fabricate evidence of an ancient Aryan civilization, aiming to rewrite history to support their racial agenda.
• 🧙‍♂️ Himmler was influenced by occultists like Karl Maria Wiligut, who contributed to the SS's beliefs and practices, including the establishment of Wewelsburg Castle as a center for SS operations.
• 📚 The Nordic Academy was created by Himmler to educate SS officers in the Nazi ideology, including the fabricated history of the Aryan race.
• 🗝️ The Ahnenerbe scholars manipulated historical and archaeological evidence to fit the Nazi narrative, even claiming that ancient Rome was founded by Nordic incomers.
• 🌐 The Ahnenerbe's research was used to indoctrinate young SS officers, particularly those destined for roles in concentration and death camps, reinforcing the dehumanizing Nazi propaganda.
• 📜 The Ahnenerbe's claims about the Aryan race's origins and achievements were often baseless, with theories such as Aryans evolving in the Arctic and establishing an advanced society that sank into the sea.
• 🎁 Himmler used the Ahnenerbe's research as a gift for Hitler's 50th birthday, indicating the importance of these pseudoscientific findings in Nazi leadership.
• 🚫 Towards the end of the war, Dr. Heinz Brücher was ordered to destroy Ahnenerbe's facilities to prevent the evidence of their eugenics program and connection to the Holocaust from being captured.
• 🎬 Despite the dark history behind it, the Ahnenerbe's activities have indirectly contributed to popular culture, inspiring films and discussions about the Nazi's obsession with the occult and ancient relics.

Q & A

What was the purpose of Ahnenerbe in Nazi Germany?

Ahnenerbe was a think tank created by Heinrich Himmler to support the Nazi ideology of Aryan racial superiority by conducting research and expeditions to find evidence of ancient Aryan civilizations.

Who was Heinrich Himmler and what role did he play in Nazi Germany?

Heinrich Himmler was the Reichsfuehrer SS and one of the most powerful men in Adolf Hitler's cabinet. He was the architect of the Holocaust and a firm believer in the occult.

How did the Indiana Jones film series relate to the real historical events of Ahnenerbe?

The Indiana Jones films, while fictional for entertainment, are inspired by the real historical events where the Nazis, including the Ahnenerbe, went on expeditions to find holy relics and artifacts to support their agenda.

What was the Nordic Academy and why was it created?

The Nordic Academy was created by Himmler in 1933 to educate and indoctrinate newly commissioned SS officers with the Nazi ideology and beliefs about the Aryan race.

Who was Karl Maria Wiligut and what was his role in the SS?

Karl Maria Wiligut was a well-known occultist hired by Himmler who joined the SS and became a Brigadeführer. He was considered a self-proclaimed modern-day Nostradamus and was employed to read fortunes for high-ranking Nazis.

What was the significance of Wewelsburg Castle in the context of Ahnenerbe?

Wewelsburg Castle was established by Himmler as the headquarters for SS operations, including research, a museum, and ceremonies. It was intended to be the epicenter for the Ahnenerbe's activities.

What was the role of Hermann Wirth and Richard Walter Darre in Ahnenerbe?

Hermann Wirth was a scholar of ancient religions and symbols, and Richard Walter Darre was the Reich Minister of Food and Agriculture. Both joined Himmler in promoting the Nazi ideology and supporting the Ahnenerbe's research.

How did the Ahnenerbe attempt to rewrite history and support the Holocaust?

The Ahnenerbe scholars loosely interpreted and even fabricated evidence to fit into Hitler's and Himmler's beliefs about the Aryan race. They used this pseudo-scientific research to justify the Holocaust and the extermination of those deemed 'sub-human'.

What was the Ahnenerbe's stance on the origins of the Aryan race?

The Ahnenerbe claimed that the Aryan race originated in the Arctic region and had established advanced societies, such as the lost city of Atlantis, which later sank into the sea.

What were some of the expeditions conducted by the Ahnenerbe and what were they looking for?

The Ahnenerbe conducted various expeditions worldwide, such as to Val Camonica in Italy and Ukraine, to find evidence of ancient Aryan civilizations, including traces of Nordic runes and artifacts that could support their theories.

What was the final fate of the Ahnenerbe and its research facilities?

In February 1945, Dr. Heinz Brücher was ordered to destroy the Ahnenerbe's 18 active research facilities to avoid their capture by the Soviets. However, Brücher refused to destroy historical artifacts and managed to escape, continuing his work as a botanist after the war.