1 week ago - A fifth column is a group of people who undermine a larger group or nation from within, usually in favor of an enemy group or another nation. The activities of a fifth column can be overt or clandestine. Forces gathered in secret can mobilize openly to assist an external attack.

Fifth column, a translation of the Spanish quinta columna, was inspired by a boast by rebel general Emilio Mola during the Spanish Civil War. Mola predicted Madrid would fall as four columns of rebel troops approaching the city were joined by another hidden column of sympathizers within it.

3 weeks ago - Fifth column, group of agents who attempt to undermine a nation’s solidarity from within. The term is traditionally credited to Emilio Mola Vidal, a Nationalist general during the Spanish Civil War. As four of his army columns moved on Madrid, he referred to his supporters within the capital ...

People willing to cooperate with an aggressor against their own country. The term originated in a remark by Francisco Franco, the Spanish dictator, that he was marching on Madrid with four columns of troops, and that there was a “fifth column” of sympathizers within the city ready to help.

1 month ago - A “fifth column” is a group which operates in secret, usually within enemy lines, in order to help further a cause which they secretly support. …

Define 5th column. 5th column synonyms, 5th column pronunciation, 5th column translation, English dictionary definition of 5th column. n. A clandestine subversive organization working within a country to further an invading enemy's military and political aims. fifth col′um·nism n.

The fifth column indicates the direction of the azimuth arc, and the sixth column gives its value.

Franco sympathizers in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War: so called in allusion to a statement in 1936 that the insurgents had four columns marching on Madrid and a fifth column of sympathizers in the city ready to rise and betray it

English dictionary definition of FIFTH COLUMN along with additional meanings, example sentences, and different ways to say.

April 22, 2009 - We cannot provide a description for this page right now

A group within a country at war who are sympathetic to or working for its enemies.fifth columnist.the term dates from the Spanish Civil War, when Gen. Mola, leading ...

December 20, 2023 - What's the meaning and origin of the phrase 'Fifth column'?

August 20, 2024 - Originating in the Spanish Civil War, the notion of the ‘enemy within’ conveyed by the term ‘fifth column’ has had a long and sinister legacy throughout the modern world

Subscription and open access journals from Sage, the world's leading independent academic publisher.

Answer (1 of 4): From' Fifth column' - the meaning and origin of this phrase What's the meaning of the phrase 'Fifth column'? Infiltrators or collaborators with the enemy. Origin of the phrase 'Fifth column In October 1936, in the hostilities of the Spanish Civil War, the nationalist General ...

October 16, 2024 - The term 5th Column refers to an internal group attempting to destabilize a country from within. Usually (although not always) being fascists attempting to overthrow the government with outside help.

August 17, 2014 - FIFTH COLUMNISTS What is the fifth column? It commonly consists of a fairly large group of the so-called "best people" who object to their country's government and are ready to overthrow it even, if necessary, with the aid of foreign powers. Country after country in Europe collapsed at the ...

June 12, 2020 - Printer-friendly Cite · A fifth column is a group of people residing in a given country who work to actively support a wartime enemy of that country from within by engaging in espionage or sabotage or who engage in such activities in anticipation of war. The term derives from the Spanish Civil War