Allierte

Allierte is a German-language term used to denote nations or military forces that are allied with a principal state or coalition. The standard plural noun for such a group in German is die Alliierten, commonly translated as "the Allies." The term can also function as an adjective, alliiert, meaning "allied." In everyday German, the form Alliierten is most often encountered in historical discussion, while alliiert appears as the descriptive adjective.

Historically, Alliierten refers to coalitions formed against common enemies. In World War I, the Allies included France, the United Kingdom, Russia, and later the United States, among others, opposing the Central Powers. In World War II, the Allies encompassed the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, China, and numerous other nations opposing the Axis Powers. German historiography distinguishes these coalitions from other blocs with terms such as Mittelmächte (Central Powers) and Achse (Axis).

In modern diplomacy, the word Alliierten is primarily encountered in historical writings; contemporary discussions typically use specific alliance names (for example, NATO) or describe partners as alliiert in a given crisis rather than employing a general noun. The concept, however, remains central to understanding how nations coordinate for mutual defense or strategic aims within alliance frameworks.

Etymology: Alliierten derives from the Latin-based roots used in German adaptations of the French allié (ally) and the English word Allies, reflecting the shared notion of partnered or allied states.