ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Gau (German)

Gau was a word used in Germany during the time of the Nazis, who were in power from 1933 to 1945. A gau was a region or area of the country that was controlled by the Nazi party. Just like how your room or house is your space, a gau was the Nazis' space to make decisions and govern.

The Nazis divided Germany into different gaue, and each one had a leader who reported to the top Nazi leader, Adolf Hitler. The Nazi leaders who controlled each gau were responsible for carrying out Hitler's orders within their region.

It's important to remember that the Nazi party did many terrible things during this time, including persecuting and murdering millions of people because of their religion, ethnicity, or beliefs. The use of the word gau is a part of that history. Today, it's recognized as a word that's associated with the Nazis and their regime in Germany.