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241:. Following the initial traumatic times, many of the citizens of the area in question quickly embrace the cause of the victors to benefit from the new system. This shift of allegiance is often done without much knowledge about the new order that is replacing the former one. In the face of fear and insecurity, the prime motive for a turncoat to draw away from former allegiances may be mere survival.
191:(to deny). Historical currents of great magnitude have periodically caught masses of people, along with their leaders, in their wake. In such a dire situation, new perspectives on past actions are laid bare and the question of personal treason becomes muddled. One example would be the situation that led to the
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Even after the death of a turncoat his family and friends may wish to keep uncomfortable secrets from the past out of the light. There is a fear of loss of prestige as well as a wish to honor the memory of a family member from the part of those who have experienced the positive side of the person.
550:"turncoat, n. and adj." cites "John Foxe · The first volume of the ecclesiastical history containing the actes and monuments of thynges passed..in this realme · Rev. ed., 1570 (2 vols.)."
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from one loyalty or ideal to another, betraying or deserting an original cause by switching to the opposing side or party. In political and social history, this is distinct from being a
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and sought to erase or at least minimize their former role as Nazis. During the decades that followed, many former Nazis regained prestige and held high posts in the new republics.
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When the goal that formerly motivated and benefited the person becomes (or is perceived as having become) either no longer feasible or too costly even if success is achieved.
159:. Thus the term "turn-coat" indicates that an individual has changed sides and his uniform coat to one matching the color of his former enemy. For example, in the
639:"The Adaptation of Ex-Communist Parties to Post-Communist East Central Europe: a Comparative Study of the East German and Hungarian Ex-Communist Parties"
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In certain countries, individuals and organizations have actively investigated the past to bring turncoats to justice to face their responsibilities.
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From a military perspective, opposing armies generally wear uniforms of contrasting colors to prevent incidents of
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and are more aware of the hopelessness of the situation for their former cause. This is especially apparent in
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During the revolution of the
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As time goes by, along with the embracing of life under the new circumstances comes a need of
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David Crouch. 2002. William
Marshal. Knighthood, War and Chivalry, 1147–1219. Longman. London
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or Nazi sympathizers, played down their role in the former government and its institutions.
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315:'s soldiers when they turned their coats inside out to match the colors of the Royal army.
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in 1570: "One who changes his principles or party; a renegade; an apostate." Cited 1571*
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Germany and
Austria after World War II when many former enthusiastic members of the
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to cover former deeds. When successful, this activity results in the distortion and
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Even in a modern historical context "turncoat" is often synonymous with the term "
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Often the leaders are the first to change loyalties, for they have had access to
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209:"Turncoat" could also have a more literal origin. According to the
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A mass-shift in allegiance by a population may take place during
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Voices of the
Transition, A Political History of Spain 1975–1982
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The first written use of the term meaning was by J. Foxe in
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in favor of positions in the new government structures.
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Epuration légale: 400 000 dossiers, moins de 800 morts
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Collaboration with the Axis Powers during World War II
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was a better system of government than the democratic
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356:, an Austrian Nazi, even held the highest post as
337:and fought on the side of the invading Americans.
299:There were many turncoats in history, including:
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322:defected to the side of the British in May 1779.
256:states when most of the population has been fed
148:In groups, often driven by one or more leaders.
237:or after a major social upheaval, such as a
23:. For the Legends of Tomorrow episode, see
213:1199–1216 two barons changed fealty from
120:Learn how and when to remove this message
443:a general who originally fought for the
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601:(1st ed.). New York, N.Y: Morrow.
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486:History of the Soviet Union (1982–1991)
307:during the 17th century. The siege of
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344:embraced the newly created nations of
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19:For the 2009 urban fantasy novel, see
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643:Communist and Post-Communist Studies
599:Benedict Arnold: patriot and traitor
480:Historical revisionism (negationism)
388:Communist Eastern European countries
58:adding citations to reliable sources
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421:(1936–1939), and again during the
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508:List of former Nazi Party members
371:France after the downfall of the
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548:Oxford English Dictionary
504:is about being a turncoat
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364:from 1972 to 1981 and as
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136:is a person who shifts
528:Whitewash (censorship)
390:after the fall of the
386:Russia and the former
329:. Some Canadians felt
284:of historical events.
246:privileged information
379:, whether home-grown
270:burying and rewriting
204:Actes & Monuments
475:Flip-flop (politics)
447:but defected to the
394:, where many former
366:President of Austria
54:improve this article
569:Jean-Paul Cointet,
417:In Spain after the
274:concealing evidence
231:military occupation
578:2004-09-10 at the
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325:Canada during the
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668:Declan McGeough,
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513:Nazi hunter
500:whose song
471:in politics
327:War of 1812
311:was won by
278:whitewashed
683:Categories
534:References
436:Abjuration
404:capitalism
400:supporters
396:communists
342:Nazi Party
258:propaganda
239:revolution
189:"renegare"
138:allegiance
110:March 2009
80:newspapers
69:"Turncoat"
694:Deception
464:Defection
264:Aftermath
219:King John
21:Turn Coat
576:Archived
523:Quisling
459:Cover-up
430:See also
381:fascists
295:Examples
181:renegade
171:below).
169:Examples
134:turncoat
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142:traitor
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