Space Nazis

Space Nazis (or sometimes Evil Alien Space Nazis) is a recurring theme among many science fiction works dealing with World War II, often completely disconnected from storylines as a whole (so-called one shot episodes).

The theme is already evident in Robert Heinlein's "Rocket Ship Galileo", published just two years after the end of the war - where the Nazis found on the Moon originate from the original, just-defeated Nazi Germany.

In later books with such a premise, the major elements involve either an alternate history being realized where the Nazis won the Second World War, aliens travelling back in time to give/sell advanced technology to one side (usually Germany), or a splinter group of Nazis (or their ideas) being introduced to a previously benign planet.

The concept, while not originated there, gained much exposure in popular culture due to Star Trek. Space Nazis were seen in one form or another in ', ' (in the two-part episode Descent), ' and '. The concept of Space Nazis is considered somewhat of a stalwart in terms of literary archetypes. While not having been around as long as the Noble Savage, Philosopher king or Everyman, it has greatly ingrained itself into science fiction.

ee also

*Iron Sky
*Nazi UFOs