What did the term "Aryan" signify in Nazi ideology?

In Nazi ideology, the term "Aryan" signified the belief in a supposed master race, which was predominantly associated with Northern European traits. This concept emerged from pseudoscientific theories that suggested certain ethnicities, particularly those with lighter skin, hair, and eyes, were superior to others.

The Nazis utilized this concept to promote a racial hierarchy, positioning Aryans at the top and justifying the discrimination, persecution, and elimination of groups they deemed inferior, particularly Jews, Romani people, and others. The idea of the Aryan race became central to Nazi propaganda and was used to rally support for their oppressive policies and actions during their regime, including the horrific events of the Holocaust. This understanding of Aryan identity helped craft a national narrative that glorified specific cultural and racial traits as inherently superior, shaping many aspects of Nazi policy and rhetoric.

The other options do not accurately encapsulate the Nazi interpretation of "Aryan." The term was not meant to include all ethnic groups; it specifically referred to a restricted view of racial purity. It also did not classify Jewish people in a positive light, as they were often positioned as the antithesis of what the Nazis viewed an Aryan to be. Furthermore, the term had no