Question

Why is Nazi Germany referred to as the Third Reich?

Answer 1

Hitler was referring to the Autocratic German empire ruled by Otto Von Bismark during the first world war, which was commonly known as the Second Reich. The Holy Roman Empire was considered the First Reich.

Answer 2

The history of modern German is often summarised as being 'three reichs and three democracies'. This is broadly correct, as modern Germany did indeed evolve out of a series of three empires.

Answer 3

Well, it was a reference to Germans trying to get back their Glory Days when Germany was a strong country (the Weimar Republic really hurt for a lot of Germans). The first reich was the Holy Roman Empire (I know, but I didn't make the reichs). The second was the German Empire of 1871–1918. Presumably the Third Reich was going to follow in these two Empires.