SIXTH COLUMN Meaning and
Definition
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The term "sixth column" refers to a clandestine group or network within a country or organization that collaborates with or sympathizes with an enemy or adversary. This concept is derived from military terminology, particularly the metaphorical interpretation of columns used to represent troops or forces. The first five columns represent conventional military units, while the "sixth column" denotes a covert force with similar goals as the enemy.
A sixth column can be comprised of individuals who hold allegiance to a different nation, ideology, or cause and act as spies, saboteurs, or propagandists. These individuals clandestinely gather information and intelligence, commit acts of subversion, or disseminate disinformation to detrimentally influence or weaken the targeted entity from within.
The term originated during the Spanish Civil War when General Emilio Mola claimed to have four columns advancing towards Madrid, but also boasted of a "fifth column" of sympathetic supporters within the city. This concept gained prominence during World War II, as various factions attempted to infiltrate or manipulate enemy nations or organizations.
Today, the term "sixth column" is used more broadly to describe any group or individuals acting against the interests of a country, organization, or ideology they are associated with. It can refer to espionage activities, insurgency, or even ideological subversion.
Overall, the concept of the sixth column highlights the potential threat posed by internal enemies and the need for vigilance in defending against covert adversaries.
Etymology of SIXTH COLUMN
The term "sixth column" is not a commonly used phrase. It seems to be a variation or alteration of the well-known term "fifth column", which itself has an interesting etymology.
The term "fifth column" was popularized during the Spanish Civil War in the 1930s. It originated from a Nationalist general, Emilio Mola, who boasted that he had four columns of troops advancing on Madrid, but that there was a "fifth column" of sympathizers within the city waiting to aid his forces. Mola's idea was that these sympathizers, working clandestinely from within, would act as a covert force weakening the enemy's defenses and facilitating the success of the main force.
The phrase "fifth column" quickly gained popularity to describe individuals or groups within a nation or organization who work secretly to undermine it from within.
