Gleichschaltung

The German word Gleichschaltung {{Audio|De-Gleichschaltung-pronunciation.ogg|listen}} (literally "synchronising", synchronization) is used in a political sense to describe the process by which the Nazi regime successively established a system of totalitarian control over the individual, and tight coordination over all aspects of society and commerce. Another possible translation may be "to make equal". One goal of this politics was to enforce a specific way of doctrine and thinking to everybody, eliminating individualism. The term itself is a typical Nazi euphemism.

Related Topics:
German - Synchronising - Political - Nazi regime - Totalitarian - Society - Euphemism

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The Nazi party's desire for total control required the elimination of all other forms of influence. The period from 1933 to around 1937 was characterized by the systematic elimination of non-Nazi organizations that could potentially influence people, such as trade unions and political parties. The regime also assailed the influence of the churches, for example by instituting the Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs under Hanns Kerrl. Organizations that the administration could not eliminate, such as the schools, came under its direct control.

Related Topics:
Nazi party - 1933 - 1937 - Trade union - Political parties - Church - Ministry of Ecclesiastical Affairs - Hanns Kerrl

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The Gleichschaltung comprised also the formation of various organisations with compulsory membership for certain parts of the population, for example the Hitlerjugend for boys aged 10 to 18, the Bund Deutscher Mädel for girls, Kraft durch Freude for workers and some others. So it was ensured that every citizen of Germany was member of a Nazi-controlled organisation, maximizing the outreach for party indoctrination.

Related Topics:
Hitlerjugend - Bund Deutscher Mädel - Kraft durch Freude

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