MACHTERGREIFUNG Meaning and
Definition
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Machtergreifung is a German noun that literally translates to "seizure of power" in English. It refers to the fundamental concept of the acquisition and consolidation of political power by an individual or a group, typically in an authoritarian or totalitarian manner. This term gained significant prominence after the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party in Germany during the 1930s.
In historical context, the term Machtergreifung specifically denotes the Nazi Party's methodical and gradual progression towards establishing absolute control over the German government and institutions. It encompasses the series of events and strategies employed by Hitler and his associates, including legal maneuvering, propaganda campaigns, intimidation, and manipulation of democratic processes. The Machtergreifung ultimately led to the collapse of the Weimar Republic and the establishment of a fascist dictatorship in Germany.
The term Machtergreifung has broader applicability beyond its historical context, as it can be used to describe any similar process wherein a person or a group attains and consolidates political power through non-democratic means. It underscores the achieving of authority through force, coercion, or the manipulation of democratic processes to serve authoritarian ends.
Overall, Machtergreifung encapsulates the concept of a significant shift in political power, characterizing the acquisition and consolidation of authority in a forceful and often undemocratic manner.
Etymology of MACHTERGREIFUNG
The word "Machtergreifung" is a German term that translates to "seizure of power" or "taking of power". It originated during the Nazi era in Germany and specifically refers to Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party's rise to power in 1933.
The term itself is a compound word consisting of "Macht" meaning "power" and "Ergreifung" meaning "seizure" or "taking". It was coined by Nazi propagandists and became widely used to describe the Nazi Party's ascent to power and the subsequent establishment of a totalitarian regime. The word carries a sense of forceful seizure or grabbing of power, reflecting the aggressive and uncompromising nature of the Nazi regime.
