red army faction: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowHistorical, Academic, Journalistic
Quick answer
What does “red army faction” mean?
A far-left militant group active in West Germany (and later unified Germany) from 1970 to 1998, which carried out bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and robberies.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A far-left militant group active in West Germany (and later unified Germany) from 1970 to 1998, which carried out bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and robberies.
A prominent example of left-wing political terrorism in late 20th-century Europe; often used as a historical reference point in discussions of terrorism, state response, and radical political movements.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning or usage. Spelling is identical. Slightly greater frequency of mention in European media/contexts.
Connotations
Similar historical and political connotations in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in general discourse, slightly higher in specialized historical/political contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “red army faction” in a Sentence
[The] Red Army Faction + verb (was, carried out, assassinated, disbanded)member/sympathiser + of + the Red Army FactionVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “red army faction” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The government worked to dismantle the Red Army Faction.
American English
- Authorities finally apprehended the remaining Red Army Faction members.
adverb
British English
- The group acted characteristically for the Red Army Faction.
American English
- They were allegedly connected to the Red Army Faction.
adjective
British English
- The Red Army Faction trial was a major media event.
American English
- She studied Red Army Faction propaganda for her thesis.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rarely used, except in risk analysis discussing historical political instability.
Academic
Common in history, political science, terrorism studies, and European studies courses.
Everyday
Very rare. Might appear in historical documentaries, news retrospectives, or political discussions.
Technical
Used in historical, criminological, and counter-terrorism literature as a case study.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “red army faction”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “red army faction”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “red army faction”
- Referring to it as 'the Red Army' (omitting 'Faction').
- Confusing the RAF abbreviation with the British Royal Air Force.
- Using it as a common noun (e.g., 'a red army faction') instead of a proper noun.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, despite the name 'Red Army', it was an independent German militant group ideologically inspired by Marxism and anti-imperialism, but not directly controlled by the USSR.
It was officially founded in 1970 and announced its dissolution in 1998, with its most intense period of activity occurring in the 1970s.
The names of two of its most prominent early leaders, Andreas Baader and Ulrike Meinhof, were used by media and police, especially for the group's early activities before it adopted the name 'Red Army Faction'.
Primarily as a historical reference. It is not used to describe contemporary groups, though it is frequently cited in academic and journalistic analyses of terrorism.
A far-left militant group active in West Germany (and later unified Germany) from 1970 to 1998, which carried out bombings, assassinations, kidnappings, and robberies.
Red army faction is usually historical, academic, journalistic in register.
Red army faction: in British English it is pronounced /ˌred ˌɑː.mi ˈfæk.ʃən/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌred ˌɑːr.mi ˈfæk.ʃən/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “German Autumn (refers to the peak of RAF activity and state response in 1977)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: RED (communist ideology) ARMY (militant, not an actual army) FACTION (a splinter group). Often remembered by the initials RAF and its founders' names: Baader and Meinhof.
Conceptual Metaphor
TERRORISM AS WAR (e.g., 'urban guerrilla warfare'), THE STATE AS A PRISON.
Practice
Quiz
What is the Red Army Faction most associated with?