Historical Reappraisal German communities 1933 to 1945

Discussion in 'Germany' started by Lindele, Nov 24, 2020.

  1. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Just watched an online debate of historians and interested folks.
    One question and few answers stayed with me:

    How can local communities, historians, Museum, etc. tackle this issue, especially against well known Nazis with their children, etc. still living and not willing to open family or company files?
    Pressure from outside Germany?
     
  2. davidbfpo

    davidbfpo Patron Patron

    The passage of time can act as great healer and also for many to forget. In the UK we have our own issues around 'The Troubles' in Northern Ireland, where political compromises have been and are in place to avoid the issues, except those some want to be "shouted from the rooftops". See for one side: The people of Northern Ireland deserve better than Gerry Kelly - CapX

    Do these direct descendants of 'well known Nazis' exert an active role resisting the examination of history or are people using them as an excuse to avoid opening the files?

    As much as I expect many here want to remember and ensure the lessons are known about, if not learnt I expect the vast majority of the public have other, current issues on their agenda.

    A small minority in both our countries appear to hold views that what happened in Nazi Germany is not a bad thing, although even fewer openly say an event like the Holocaust is acceptable now. I always liked the part in 'The Blues Brothers' film where they "took on" a group of American Nazis.
     
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  3. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Hello Lindele,

    which well-known Nazis are still around or active? Those who were 20 years old at the end of the war would be 95 by now. Most influential Nazis would have been a bit older than 20 when the Third Reich collapsed...

    And which communities still resist an open discussion? In most cities there are avid local historians asking and answering crucial questions. Which companies do still cover up their role? Many major ones have commissioned studies investigating their activities 1933-45.

    What you describe is the situation in the 1950s and 1960s, maybe even the 70s. Things very much changed in the 1980s. I studied history from 1984 onwards and work as an historian - all I witnessed since were rearguard actions of a diminishing group of have-beens...

    Those are my observations..

    Best
    Alex
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2020
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  4. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Alex,
    I will get back tomorrow, been watching football tonight.
    Stefan.
     
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  5. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Alex,
    in some small German cities with well established old wealthy families, historians struggle to"open" the files. They all know each other for many years, Same with medium size family run companies.

    These are my observations

    Stefan.
     
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  6. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Hi Stefan,

    maybe it is a regional thing and the size of the community matters. I grew up and lived and worked in Northrhine Westphalia - and found that I was mostly dealing with open minds and a curiosity to find out what happened in those dark years. And this does not only apply to big cities.
    However, I know of a small town (or village) in Baden-Wourttemberg where a conservative local politician and mayor was against installing a plaque commemorating the fate of local Jews. He was on the defensive, however, and with the help of the local press, a local priest and the more liberal citizenry his opposition was finally obverwhelmed.

    And that - I hope and I believe - ist the larger pattern we witness. But I am sure you have quite a few examples of the opposite. Still, I think these people are fighting a losing battle...

    The populist new rightwingers (sometimes disguised in nice suits and with the veneer of well established citizens) are the greater challenge...
    What do you think?
    Alex
     
    Last edited: Nov 25, 2020
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  7. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96


    Alex,
    loosing battle is the correct term. I am now trying to use some of the arguments in this thread to convince some people in this part of Baden-Wuerttemberg.
    Stefan.
    The populist new rightwingers (sometimes disguised in nice suits and with the veneer of well established citizens) are the greater challenge...
    What do you think?
    Alex
     
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  8. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Alex,
    just what I think too.
    In my blog I have this motto: Enemies yesterday - friends today.

    World Understanding and Peace in Biberach
    Stefan.
     
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  9. alberk

    alberk Well-Known Member

    Hi Stefan,

    ah, Biberach! That's where they put the civilians from the Channel Islands! Did I get you right - did you publish the novel that is advertised on the Website?

    What a coincidence. A few years ago I made a TV documentary on the German occupation of the Channel Islands in which Biberach plays a role (that is in the Phoenix version).
    Alex
     
  10. Lindele

    Lindele formerly HA96

    Alex,
    a local friend of mine published a book bout the deportees (1942 to 1945.
    My book is about the mass escape of 26 British officers from the same camp in 1941
    Lager Lindele - Wir sind durch
    Presently I am working on the English version. Can you send me a PM about this and your documentary.
    Stefan.
     
  11. JDKR

    JDKR Member

    I admire you both for the way you are approaching what is not easy history and I believe it is in everybody's interest that these things are in the open as much as possible.

    There but for the grace of God we all go and there was such truth in the title of the excellent tv series of a few years ago: 'The Nazis - A Warning from History'.
     
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