Conformity - GCSE History Definition

In GCSE History, conformity means going along with the rules, beliefs, or behaviour of the people around you — often because of pressure or a desire to fit in. In Nazi Germany, many people conformed to Nazi ideas and rules. Some did it because they agreed with Hitler’s views, but others did it out of fear. The Nazis used propaganda, education, and organisations like the Hitler Youth to spread their beliefs. People who did not conform were often punished, watched by the Gestapo, or sent to concentration camps. Studying conformity in Nazi Germany helps GCSE History students understand how the Nazis kept tight control over society, and why so few people openly resisted their rule.