gleichschließend

Gleichschaltung is a German term that translates to "coordination" or "synchronization." In political contexts, it specifically refers to the process by which the Nazi regime in Germany consolidated its power and brought all aspects of society under its control following Adolf Hitler's appointment as Chancellor in 1933. This was not a single event but a systematic and gradual process that unfolded over several months.

The goal of Gleichschaltung was to eliminate any potential opposition and ensure absolute conformity to Nazi ideology and leadership. This was achieved through various means. Political parties other than the Nazi Party were banned or dissolved. Trade unions were abolished and replaced by the German Labour Front, a Nazi-controlled organization. The media, including newspapers, radio, and film, were brought under strict censorship and propaganda control. Cultural institutions, such as universities, arts organizations, and sports clubs, were purged of dissenting voices and reorganized to promote Nazi values.

State governments were stripped of their autonomy and placed under the direct authority of the central Nazi government. Laws were enacted that expanded the power of the state and curtailed individual freedoms. This process effectively dismantled democratic structures and established a totalitarian one-party state where the Nazi Party permeated every level of German society. The term Gleichschaltung thus encapsulates the systematic suppression of pluralism and the imposition of a monolithic ideology.