Denazification at the University of Hamburg

Lecture delivered by Anton Guhl, KIT Karlsruhe, History Department 

After many scientists and academics were deprived of their rights by the National Socialists, denazification introduced a new form of political disruption to universities – but under very different circumstances. In 1945, as a consequence of the preceding self-Nazification of the University of Hamburg, the British occupying force dismissed over half of the teaching staff. But after several years, many of those expelled were readmitted to the university, which generally favored rehabilitation after 1947. Within the various dimensions of disruptions, continuity and return, what is striking is the room for maneuver afforded the professors, who were able to influence the parameters of politically based background checks very early on an in a sustainable way.

Event language: German