Denunciation

Ordinary people were drawn into the system through denunciations: reporting neighbours, colleagues or relatives to the authorities. This destroyed trust because people could not know whether a private remark would later be used against them. Fear encouraged public obedience and discouraged open criticism.

The Gestapo depended heavily on ordinary people reporting one another. Such reports were called denunciations. A neighbour, colleague or relative could report a critical remark, so people could not be certain that even a private conversation was safe.

People made denunciations for different reasons. Some supported Nazi ideas; others sought personal advantage or used the authorities against someone they disliked. The effect was to extend the reach of the police into everyday life without placing an officer in every workplace or home.