Neo-Nazism is a general term for the related fascist, nationalist, white supremacist, antisemitic beliefs and political tendencies of the numerous groups that emerged after World War II seeking to revive and reinstate Nazi ideology. Neo-Nazis employ their ideology to promote hatred and racial supremacy, attack racial and ethnic minorities, and in some cases to create a fascist state. The term "neo-Nazi" literally means "new-Nazi" or "revived Nazi" and refers to people who have adopted ideologies similar to those first identified with the Nazi Party, which ruled Germany under Hitler between 1933 and 1945.
Some neo-Nazi groups emphasize simple hatred, while others are more focused on the revolutionary creation of a fascist political state. Neo-Nazism is a global phenomenon, with organized representation in many countries and international networks. Holocaust denial is common in neo-Nazi circles.
The leaders of todays neo-Nazi and white supremacist organizations are not Adolf Hitler, and America is not Germany, but in order to understand their agenda, it is vital to understand the history of these code words, symbols, and ideologies.
