Nazism, short for National Socialism, was a political ideology that emerged in Germany during the early 20th century. It was led by the Nazi Party, under the leadership of Adolf Hitler. The movement promoted extreme nationalism, racism, and the belief in the superiority of the Aryan race, which led to the persecution of various groups, including Jews, Romani people, and others deemed "undesirable." The Nazis came to power in 1933 and established a totalitarian regime that controlled many aspects of life in Germany. Their aggressive expansionist policies contributed to the outbreak of World War II, resulting in widespread destruction and the horrific events of the Holocaust, where millions of people were systematically murdered.