Hydra is often associated with Nazism in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and comics, but it's best understood as a fascist, authoritarian organization that borrowed Nazi imagery and tactics, but is not defined solely by them. In the MCU, Hydra originated as a Nazi science division during World War II, led by Johann Schmidt (Red Skull). They were officially part of the Third Reich and used Nazi symbols, ideology, and infrastructure. However, they eventually broke from Hitler, seeking to replace him as the world's dominant power. This makes them Nazi-aligned, but not identical to the Nazi Party. In comics, Hydra has a more complex and varied history. While it was retroactively tied to Nazi Germany in the 1960s, its roots were originally as a generic fascist organization predating the Nazis. Some versions portray it as a cult-like, ancient evil with ties to occultism and alien forces (e.g., Hive). This allows writers to depict it as fascist and totalitarian without being strictly tied to real-world Nazi ideology. Key differences: The Nazis were a real-world regime built on racial purity, anti-Semitism, and genocide. Hydra is more often a generic totalitarian, power-hungry organization that uses Nazi aesthetics and symbols for dramatic effect. While many of its leaders (like Red Skull and Baron von Strucker) were Nazis, not all Hydra members are. Modern portrayals, such as in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and WandaVision, show Hydra members acknowledging their Nazi past