The Nazis’ philosophy was collectivist, with class distinction being obliterated by race. And the National Socialists never claimed to be ‘right wing’. They saw themselves as men of the left, albeit not men of the Marxist ‘workers of the world’ left. They were only interested in the workers of Germany.
Nor did they adhere to traditional values. Hitler believed Jesus was the offspring of a Roman soldier, and a Jewish harlot. Himmler was closer to outright paganism. All were vehemently anticlerical [Hitler planned to settle up with the Churches after the war]. They didn't believe in the institution of marriage [Himmler encouraged illegitimate offspring from his SS men, and set up the Lebensborn system to provide for the children].
Hitler intended to destroy the old German society, and to create a new one. The Nazis were true radicals. There was nothing conservative about them.
"And the National Socialists never claimed to be ‘right wing’." Oh really? And is the same true of fascists like Italy's Mussolini and Spain's Franco? Are you drawing a distinction between fascists and Nazis?
The claim that fascists in general, including Nazis, were "right wing" or "conservative" I think is based on some key points:
- Fascists and Nazis were Europe's great anti-Communists, and since Communists were "left," fascists must be "right."
- All the fascist powers, including Hitler, signed Concordats with the Vatican which at least in theory protected -- preserved, conserved -- the Church in those countries. So even Nazi Germany could claim to be a "Christian nation," something Stalin's prison could not.
- Fascists in general were not just anti-Communists. They were anti- many other "modern ideas," including capitalism, democracy & Freemasonry -- not to mention "the Jews." In that sense, Fascists claimed to represent older "traditional values."
- In Europe, "to conserve" meant the old monarchical traditions, especially foreign conquests for empire building, and this became a chief goal for Mussolini and Hitler.
Of course it's an interesting point you make, and I'm not really saying you're wrong. But if the Nazis did not call themselves "right wingers," then who did? When and how did it first happen?