--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was not anti-Semitism or socialism or…" description: "\"“It was not anti-Semitism or socialism or the New Order that first animated the Nazis; their first slogal was, \"Break the chains of Versailles.”\" — Mil..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/milton-mayer-27880_national-socialism_it-was-not-anti-semitism-or-socialism-or_471919.jpg" --- # It was not anti-Semitism or socialism or the New Order… ![“It was not anti-Semitism or socialism or the New Order that first animated the Nazis; their first slogal was, "Break the chains of Versailles.” quote by Milton Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/milton-mayer-27880_national-socialism_it-was-not-anti-semitism-or-socialism-or_471919.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/milton-mayer-27880_national-socialism_it-was-not-anti-semitism-or-socialism-or_471919.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/833/milton-mayer-27880_national-socialism_it-was-not-anti-semitism-or-socialism-or_471919.jpg) > ““It was not anti-Semitism or socialism or the New Order that first animated the Nazis; their first slogal was, "Break the chains of Versailles.”” [Milton Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-mayer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The Nazis claimed their initial goal was to overturn the Treaty of Versailles, not driven by anti‑Jewish or socialist ideology. **In simple terms:** They said they wanted to reverse Versailles, not focus on racism or socialism. Key Takeaway Recognize how political narratives can mask true motives. Themes politics propaganda history Mood cautious analytical Type historical political When to use this quote - political rallies - diplomatic negotiations - public speeches - media analysis Key Concepts revisionist motives nationalism strategic messaging Questions to Reflect On - What underlying grievances fueled Nazi rise? - How do leaders use symbolic goals to rally support? A Different Perspective The focus on Versailles may oversimplify complex economic and social factors. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [National-socialism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/national-socialism/) [Nazis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nazis/) ## Related quotes > [“National Socialism was a revulsion by my friends against parliamentary politics, parliamentary debate, parliamentary government—against all the higgling and the haggling of the parties…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-mayer/national-socialism-was-a-revulsion-by-my-friends-against/) [Milton Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-mayer/) > [“When I asked Herr Wedekind, the baker, why he had believed in National Socialism, he said, "Because it promised to solve the unemployment problem.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-mayer/when-i-asked-herr-wedekind-the-baker-why-he-had-believed-in-national/) [Milton Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-mayer/) > [“In the years of its rise the movement little by little brought the community's attitude toward the teacher around from respect and envy to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/milton-mayer/in-the-years-of-its-rise-the-movement-little-by-little-brought-the/) [Milton Mayer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/milton-mayer/) > [“Except for Christianity, the Nazis reject as Jewish everything which stems from Jewish authors. 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