The Nazi Connection

by Gloria Steinem, Marianne Fraulo (Narrator)

In Mein Kampf, Hitler wrote that “We must also do away with the conception that the treatment of the body is the affair of every individual.” It was a direct slap at the feminist movement of Germany in the late 19th and early 20th century, an influential force for, among other things, divorce, contraception, and abortion; in short, for a woman’s right to control her own body.

In her two-part essay, The Nazi Connection, Gloria Steinem examines Adolf Hitler views on personal freedoms, and his war against feminism, and compares them to the 1980 Republication Platform and its support for a Constitutional ban on abortion.

The Nazi Connection was originally published in Ms., October and November 1980.

Cover design by Adil Dara.

Genres: Feminism, Nonfiction, Essays, History

1 pages, Audible Audio

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Gloria Marie Steinem (March 25, 1934–September 2, 2026) was an American feminist, journalist, and social and political activist who became nationally recognized as a leader of, and media spokeswoman for, the women's liberation movement in the late 1960s and 1970s. A prominent writer and key counterculture era political figure, Steinem founded many organizations and projects and was the recipient of many awards and honors. She was a columnist for New York magazine and co-founded Ms. magazine.

Reviews

[Kristen Pesta]

This article from the 1980's is a startling and disturbing look on what were still fighting for today as women. I love Gloria's essays, she's incredible.

[Nin]

As Roe v Wade has been overturned, it is truly incredible to see how very needed this essay is today, 42 years after original publication. What’s so amazing is how little the New Right’s arguments for banning abortion have changed - from the Nazi’s in the 30s, to Phyllis Schlafly in the 70s, to the Muh FreeDum gun crowd of the 2010s and 2020s.

Compulsory and compulsive reading

[Victoria]

Thoroughly enjoyed this article. Unfortunately, not much has changed in Western Society.

[Simon Sweetman]

Enjoying these Kindle singles. Nice finds from the archives.

[Simona]

Although written in the 1980s, this essay remains highly relevant today.

Shows how historical denial of women’s reproductive rights is a symptom of broader authoritarian tendencies.

4/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Amara]

How disturbing and foreshadowing this article is. It was written in 1980, and I'd say it is even more relevant now, 40 years later :(

By 1979, 66 percent of those questioned in a New York Times/CBS poll said they would vote for “someone who would step on some toes and bend some rules to get things done.”

I present to you, the 2016 election.

[Vansh]

Surprisingly well researched and open book, I was expecting attack attack attack but the start caught me off guard and actually made me wanna read (praise as a writer, the other things we'll get to)

I agree with Gloria on many things like the right to choice, the state NOT being involved in our business and the same with the church. However, I am still religious. In Christian terms, it's like god giving each human a choice and how they choose to act is on themselves (we as externals shouldn't do more than a suggestion unless they're our children)

Think of it as smoking in front of a non-smoker or eating meat with a vegan. It makes them uncomfortable and you shouldn't do it in front of them. So what solution do we have? This extreme, partisanship path of "my way or the highway" or something like people with different cultures live in different places and interact minimally (think Austin being different from LA, not segregation).

Regardless of my public stance, I wonder how I'll respond to it when I have to face it. It's scary not just for me but also for the girl, how do you navigate something like that? I won't stop someone from making the choices they make- but whether I choose to stay or leave is up to me.

[Mayee Zhu]

This is a short but informative read that shows striking similarities between Nazi ideology and other schools of thought that are unfortunately still on the rise today. Originally written in 1980, its initial message was to show parallels between Hitler's policies and the 80s Republican political platform and calls for a Constitutional ban on abortion. Steinem's beliefs, however, still apply to our current day and society.

Many of the anti-abortion and ultra right-wing arguments showcased in the book are taken word-for-word from Mein Kampf and Hitler, and echoed or paraphrased by many extremist conservative groups to this day. Steinem came with the receipts, and she clearly showed in this bite-sized, thought-provoking essay how both factions are chillingly close in their beliefs.

[Melanie]

I'm reading this book in 2025 and I think this is more real now than when written in 1980. All women need to go back and start reading her work - especially before casting any vote. A short but powerful read.

How did this book find me? I am a Steinem fan and found this in the Audible+ catalog.

[Sofia Solinas]

Molto interessante e illuminante, mi piacerebbe leggere un saggio che analizzi l'uso odierno della parola nazifemminista, che coi social è diventata sinonimo di femminista in generale, anche quando non si sta parlando del tema dell'aborto. In ogni caso Gloria Seinem una garanzia🩷

[Cheryl]

This is more of a well-researched argument rather than a book.

Feminists were compared to Nazis. Gloria Steinem argues that feminists and Nazis have opposing beliefs and agendas.

[Christi M]

I had to keep reminding myself how long ago this was written. It's so timely for 2023, sadly. This should be required reading for all.

[bri]

oh my god, this is so relevant to 2023 abortion politics, despite the fact that it was written decades ago.

[Brooke]

Feels like this could have been written about modern day America.

[lillian claire]

woke up, had twelve abortions, drank matcha, worshipped satan, then ate tofu. would the national socialist party approve of that??

[Sarah]

This is a brief article from the early 1980s that echoes eerily to the continued attacks on feminism and women's rights by the right wing party and compares tactics and reflections to the beginning of the nazi party. We must stay strong and not sit down and give up our hard won rights.