denazification

(noun)

An Allied initiative to rid German and Austrian society, culture, press, economy, judiciary, and politics of any remnants of the National Socialist ideology (Nazism). It was carried out specifically by removing from positions of power and influence those who had been Nazi Party members and by disbanding or rendering impotent the organizations associated with Nazism.

Related Terms

Examples of denazification in the following topics:

  • Yalta and the Postwar World

  • War Aims and Strategy

    • After the war, Germany and Berlin would be split into four occupied zones and Germany would undergo demilitarization and denazification.

  • The Yalta Conference

  • The Potsdam Conference

    • Issuance of a statement of aims of the occupation of Germany by the Allies: demilitarization, denazification, democratization, decentralization and decartelization.

  • Europe After World War II

    • A denazification program in Germany led to the prosecution of Nazi war criminals and the removal of ex-Nazis from power, although this policy moved towards amnesty and re-integration of ex-Nazis into West German society.

  • Terms of Surrender

    • They also ordered German demilitarization, denazification, industrial disarmament and settlements of war reparations.