Just Plain Volk

Volk, originated from the old german noun volc, meaning, people, nation, troop. Volk, developed in the time of Humanism, and in the 18th century was understood as the mass of people as distinguished from the upper class. Volk, understood as the unity of people by language, culture, history, and, joined to a State.


Volksschule, (elementary school), in the 18th century was described as school for children of the lower class.


Volksempfänger, was the name for an inexpensive radio you could buy during the time of German National Socialist government. It had only one wavelength, which was broadcast in Germany.
A much more expensive radio could be bought with the normal band width enabling one to listen to British and Russian radio stations as well. However, they were strictly forbidden, with severe punishment on being found with one. Therefore, people would sit under several blankets in order to listen to them and not be detected. After the war the term Rundfunkgerät replaced the word Volksempfänger.


Ein Volk, ein Reich, ein Führer = one people, one nation, one leader


Volksgenossen und Volksgenossinnen
(Genosse = male companion, partner, comrade) Adolf Hitler used these terms especially when he adressed the public. (His speeches in public and on the radio often lasted 2 hours or longer.) "Des Führes Wort ist für uns Deutsche ein Befehl" ("The Führer's word is our command")


Volk ohne Raum, (People without space), an old term out of the Middle Ages which became a much-used term to legitimate the expansion of German territory particulary to the east during WW2.

The German Volk speak German. The German speaking Swiss were never considered to be part of the German Volk.

Volksdeutsche = the people of German origin living outside the borders of the Germany Reich and Austria from 1937.

Volkssturm, a term used for the untrained military (the young male teenagers and old men) who were enlisted at the end of the war by Hitler's order from 25.9.1944.

"JungVolkjungen sind hart, schweigsam und treu" "The People's youth are strong, close-mouthed and faithful."
"JungVolkjungen sind Kameraden" "The People's youth are Comrades."
"Des JungVolkjungen Höchstes ist die Ehre." "To The People's youth honour is above all."
Volkswagen, in Sommer 1932 Hitler gives a sketch of the Volkswagen, he had drawn himself to Jakob Werlin: "Take this and talk to people, who understand more about it then I do. But don't forget, soon I want to hear how the thing works technically."


Volkseigentum, in the East German Republic (1945-1989) used term for the Socialist national possession: The subject of the Volkseigentum is the State. Object of the Volkseigentum are the economically and socially important businesses/firms and institutions.


Volkswagen, in summer 1932 Hitler gives a sketch of the Volkswagen, he had drawn himself to Jakob Werlin: "Take this and talk to people who understand more about than I do. But dont forget it. I soon want to hear how the thing works technically."


Volkskunst, part of the arts which follow cultural traditions.