The Nazi experiment, 1929–1949 (A-level only) key terms

Totalitarianism

A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Authoritarianism

A governing system characterized by the concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to the public.

Totalitarianism

A political system in which the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Gestapo

The secret police of Nazi Germany, responsible for the suppression of opposition and the enforcement of Nazi policies through terror.

Wirtschaftswunder

The 'economic miracle' in West Germany during the 1950s, characterized by rapid industrial growth and recovery.

Cold War

The period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, along with their respective allies, from the end of World War II until the early 1990s.

Rearmament

The process of rebuilding and expanding a nation's military forces, which was a key aspect of Nazi economic policy.

Autarky

An economic system where a country aims to be self-sufficient and reduce reliance on imports, particularly emphasized by the Nazis.

Racial State

A state that prioritizes the interests of a specific race, often at the expense of others, as seen in Nazi Germany's policies against Jews and other minorities.

Propaganda

Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view, crucial in Nazi efforts to shape public opinion.

Totalitarianism

A political system where the state recognizes no limits to its authority and seeks to regulate every aspect of public and private life.

Propaganda

Information, especially biased or misleading, used to promote a political cause or point of view, heavily utilized by the Nazi regime to control public perception.