The parallels between today’s America and the Germany of a century ago are profound – and are becoming more relevant with each passing day. Sadly, what was considered inconceivable a few years ago has now become a possibility: the development of a totalitarian state in America.

There are certain factors leading to the creation of a totalitarian state that are best observed by examining the ways and means whereby the Nazi Party emerged and maintained power in Germany in the 1930s. The term Gleichschaltung, meaning “synchronisation” or “co-ordination”, was the process of Nazification by which Adolf Hitler established totalitarian control over all aspects of German society at that time.

Sadly, one cannot help but note that there are many similarities between the Germany that evolved in the 1930s and the political developments that are currently underway in America – although the present regime in Washington has clearly identified other racial entities to focus upon than the Jews who were vilified by the Nazis. Nevertheless, it seems clear that there are (at least) 12 significant points of similarity between the two regimes:

1. Manipulation of the electoral system

Hitler transformed politics in Germany by manipulating the electoral system. In the months before the 1933 election, he used terror and repression to monitor and influence the voting process. That was Germany back in the 1930s. But in America more recently, Donald Trump sought to remain in power after losing the 2020 presidential election by devising a scheme to submit fake certificates of ascertainment and other documents to claim that he had won the Electoral College vote in crucial states. He then encouraged an attack on the Capitol on 6 January 2021 by his supporters. In his second term (commencing 2025), Trump showed a willingness to utilise all avenues of agitprop and media indoctrination to ensure his continued political domination.

2. Criminal issues concerning the head of state

Before becoming chancellor, Hitler was arrested and charged in 1923 with offences following the Beer Hall Putsch, a failed coup attempt in Munich; he was convicted and sentenced to five years in prison but was released after serving only nine months. That was Germany back then. But in America more recently, President Trump was charged in 2023 with 34 felony counts of falsifying business records to conceal payments made to the pornographic film actress Stormy Daniels. He was convicted of these counts in 2024. A grand jury indictment also brought 40 felony counts against him relating to mishandling of classified documents after his first presidency. It later chose to defer the matter in perpetuity following Trump’s re-election, in part due to a longstanding policy not to prosecute a sitting president.

3. Control of the military, paramilitary and police forces

As chancellor, Hitler took command of all the military, paramilitary and police forces at his disposal to further his political ends. Most notable was the SS (Schutzstaffel), which was originally established as Hitler’s personal bodyguard unit; it would later become both the elite guard of the Nazi Reich and Hitler’s executive force prepared to carry out all security-related duties, without regard for legal restraint. That was Germany back in the 1930s. But in America more recently, President Donald Trump and California governor Gavin Newsom have recently battled over the federal government’s legal right to deploy National Guard, Marines, and ICE agents to Los Angeles in order to quell growing social unrest arising from attempts to round up and deport aliens. There is now widespread concern within the US that Trump might invoke the Insurrection Act to bring National Guard troops under federal control and deploy them more frequently within the US.

4. Collaboration of the courts

Many German jurists and lawyers acquiesced in Hitler’s seizure of power in the 1930s. They collaborated with the regime and legitimised it, thereby becoming involved in the promotion of Aryan examples of Nazism. They meted out justice in accordance with Nazi ideals, and violated their professional standards and basic morality. That was Germany back in the 1930s. But in America more recently, the Trump administration has rapidly transformed the federal court system, largely by ignoring widely accepted norms for judicial appointments. It will soon account for a third of active circuit judges, and possibly a third of the Supreme Court. Life tenure for these positions means Trump’s judicial influence is likely to persist longer than any other aspect of his legacy. In a significant recent judgment, the Supreme Court (three of the judges were appointed by Trump) delivered Trump a further major victory, ruling that lower courts cannot grant universal injunctions to block government policy, thereby allowing his administration to move forward with a raft of controversial policies previously stalled by litigation.

5. Cultivating support from the industrial proletariat

The Treaty of Versailles imposed harsh terms on Germany following its defeat in World War I. These led to widespread resentment and instability in Germany. This was further exacerbated by the Great Depression. National Socialism tended to appeal more to the less-well-educated than to the intellectuals at that time. Hitler’s objective was to de-intellectualise education so that people would not ask difficult questions. That was Germany back in the 1930s. But in America more recently, in the 2024 Presidential election a significant majority of voters who supported Trump did not have college degrees, whereas a significant majority who did have college degrees (or higher) voted for Kamala Harris. Most of Trump’s support came from the less-well-educated.

6. Cultivating support of right-wing plutocrats

The affluent plutocrats comprised the ruling class of the Weimar Republic. The Weimar Constitution granted President Hindenburg emergency powers, allowing him to rule by decree, to bypass the Reichstag (parliament), and to suspend civil liberties. This was intended to be a temporary measure during national emergencies but was frequently used by Hindenburg, especially after the Reichstag fire, and ultimately contributed to the rise of Nazi power. That was Germany back in the 1930s. But in America more recently, high-profile supporters of Trump’s MAGA movement include a large number of wealthy individuals. Indeed, Trump has assembled the wealthiest cabinet in modern history. The ability of his billionaire backers to support him with massive funding has been possible due to a curious US Supreme Court ruling, the Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission 2010 decision, which allows immense levels of financial support for presidential or congressional candidates.

(Part 2 will investigate suppression of academic freedom; extradition of “undesirables”; protests against the regime; treatment of LGBTQ people; tariffs; and the covetting of neighbouring countries.)

The views expressed in this article may or may not reflect those of Pearls and Irritations.