The Nazis claimed that communism was dangerous to the well-being of nations because of its intention to dissolve private property, its support of class conflict, its aggression against the middle class, its hostility towards small businessmen, and its atheism.[152] Nazism rejected class conflict-based socialism and economic egalitarianism, favouring instead a stratified economy with social classes based on merit and talent, retaining private property, and the creation of national solidarity that transcends class distinction.[153]
During the 1920s, Hitler urged disparate Nazi factions to unite in opposition to "Jewish Marxism."[154] Hitler asserted that the "three vices" of "Jewish Marxism" were democracy, pacifism and internationalism.[155]
In 1930, Hitler said: "Our adopted term ‘Socialist' has nothing to do with Marxist Socialism. Marxism is anti-property; true Socialism is not."[156] In 1942, Hitler privately said: "I absolutely insist on protecting private property ... we must encourage private initiative".[157]