Twisting History for Hate: Nordicism, Norse Pseudohistory, and Twenty-First Century American White Nationalism

Abstract

Nordicism—the belief in a Nordic or Aryan “master race”—emerged in nineteenth century anthropology as a form of scientific racism. As this ideology spread, a romanticized pseudohistorical version of Northern Europe flourished—most noticeably during Germany in the 1930s and 1940s. It continues to exist in the minds of white supremacists, neo-Nazis, the alt-right, and white nationalists today, with hate crimes and racial prejudice headlining the news in the United States daily. Understanding the patterns many extremists show on social media and internet forums is crucial—especially in the context of historical movements and ideas. This historiographical and phenomenological study presents a holistic view of the history and evolution of Nordicism and Norse pseudohistory and their modern use by white nationalists in the twenty-first century United States. It covers a variety of sources that speak on white nationalism, scientific racism, eugenics, and the fantastical concept of “Northernness.” Collecting data from self-identified white nationalists and white supremacists on social media and internet forums, as well as incidents of racially motivated hate crimes, can help answer the question of how modern white nationalists use debunked science and history to promote their ideology. Results of the research showed a clear connection to Nordicism and Norse pseudohistory while also admitting a lack of direct racist content in many examples. This thesis aims to help identify those who would commit racially biased crimes, as well as fight disinformation.