dtufail/nuremberg-trials-corpus huggingface dataset:
It supervised the political content of German broadcasting, issued directives as to the arrangement of programs and treatment of material, and cooperated with the Party in the technical organization of German radio. (6) The Film Department was in charge of directing and guiding the German film industry, censoring of films, and developing the German weekly newsreel. (7) literature. This agency, in close collaboration with BdF and PPK, controlled all German literary activities, censored new books, provided for the publication of German books abroad, and arranged for the translation and censorship of foreign books. (8) Abteilung Deutsche Presse (German or Home Press Department). This department was headed by Fritzsche until he was relieved in 1942 to take charge of the Radio Division. It was responsible for political control over the entire German press; it controlled the editorial policy of the press and its personnel (through the Reich Press Chamber), and supervised the dissemination of news through the official German News Agency (DNB). The Home Press Division outlined the editorial policy off all newspapers and the comment of editors and journalists in its duly directives. (Tendenz berichte). These dealt with the daily contents of the paper, the methods of treatment of news material, the writing of headlines, the preference for or omission of certain items, and the modification or cessation of current campaigns. The directives were issued to the representatives of the press in person or sent through the facilities of the DNB to the local papers. (2334-PS; 2529-PS) The Home Press Department of the Propaganda Ministry had an important participation in administering the provisions of the Editorial control Law, which made the profession of editor "a public task, which is regulated as to its professional duties and rights by the state." That law also included requirements for admission to the profession and other elaborate controls. (2083-PS) (9) Periodical literature. This department supervised German periodical literature in the same manner as the Abteilung Deutsche Presse controlled the daily press. Other divisions exercised supervision over the Theatre ( Selection and supervision of the entire dramatic production and influencing the programs of all German Theatres); the Arts; Music ("The
This department supervised German periodical literature in the same manner as the Abteilung Deutsche Presse controlled the daily press. Other divisions exercised supervision over the Theatre ( Selection and supervision of the entire dramatic production and influencing the programs of all German Theatres); the Arts; Music ("The entire cultural and political leadership of German musical life"); Special Cultural Tasks ("This department serves mainly to eliminate all jews from German Cultural life"); and Foreign Tourists. (2434-PS) A large organization of faithful Party followers was recruited to discharge the manifold functions of the Propaganda Ministry. The staff numbered 100 persons in 1939-1940. In the words of Mueller: "It is no accident; therefore, that the great majority of the official workers and other personnel of the Ministry consist of reliable National Socialists of which almost 100 are bearers of the Gold Party Pin." (2434-PS) C. The semi-autonomous professional organizations Reichskulturkammer (Reich Chamber of Culture). The Reich Chamber of Culture was set up in September 1933 to control (under the supervision of the Propaganda Ministry and within the framework of general policy directives issued by that activity) personnel engaged in all fields of propaganda ( 2082-PS). Its tasks as described in the First Executive Decree of the above law. dated 1 November 1933, were; "To promote German culture as responsible to the people and the Reich, to regulate the social and economic relations of the different groups in the cultural professions and to coordinate their aims." ( 2415-PS). The Reichskulturkammer was a so-called "Nachgeordnete Dienststelle" (Subordinate office) of the Propaganda Ministry. Together with its subordinate Chambers it was charged with supervising all personnel active in any filed under the jurisdiction of the Propaganda Ministry. All persons employed in the cultural professions were obligated to register with one of the subordinate Chambers. The Chambers were also responsible for investigating the activities and political reliability of their members Moreover, power was given to Chambers to prosecute members of fending against Nazi standards or persons pursuing their occupation without being duly
were obligated to register with one of the subordinate Chambers. The Chambers were also responsible for investigating the activities and political reliability of their members Moreover, power was given to Chambers to prosecute members of fending against Nazi standards or persons pursuing their occupation without being duly registered. The punitive powers included, expulsion from membership, which was tantamount to the loss of livelihood. The Chambers were also given power to issue directives, which had the validity of law, regulating the cultural activities under their control ( 2529-PS). The President of the Chamber of Culture was the Minister of Propaganda, Joseph Goebbels, who nominated the Vice-Presidents. In 1937, the latter consisted of Walter Funk, Max Amann (Reich Leader of the Press) and Leopold Gutterer (Secretary of State in the Propaganda Ministry). The Chamber of Culture was divided into seven functional chambers: (1) Reichspressekammer (Reich Press Chamber). Max Amann was president of this chamber, which was, to a greater extent than the other chambers, a loose association of technical bodies and organizations, such as the Reich Association of German Newspaper Publishers. It integrated the activities of these groups and, through the composition of its governing body, ensured close coordination with Party and State propaganda machinery. (2529-PS; 3016-PS) (2) Reichskammer der bildenden Kunste (Reich Chamber of Fine Arts). This chamber supervised the activities of all architects, interior decorators, landscape gardeners, sculptors, painters, draftsmen, art publishers, etc. By 1937, all other art groups and associations had been dissolved, and all their members "obligated by profession" to join this chamber. (2529-PS) (3) Reichsmusikkammer (Reich Music Chamber). This Chamber was organized to "oversee the practice and activity of musicians in their cultural, economic, and legal relationships with the world. * * * in order that music will still remain a prized possession of the German people." (2529-PS) (4) Reichstheaterkammer (Reich Theater Chamber). The Theater Chamber was the professional organization for the entire field of the professional theater. Its purpose was to supervise and promote the "cultural, social and economic conditions of the professions which
a prized possession of the German people." (2529-PS) (4) Reichstheaterkammer (Reich Theater Chamber). The Theater Chamber was the professional organization for the entire field of the professional theater. Its purpose was to supervise and promote the "cultural, social and economic conditions of the professions which it includes". Actual censorship of stage production was the responsibility of the Reichsdramaturg. (2529-PS) (5) Reichsfilmkammer (Reich Film Chamber). The primary function of this Chamber was to lift the film industry " out of the sphere of liberal economic thoughts" by giving it a sound economic foundation and thus enable it to "receive those tasks which it has to fulfill in the National Socialist State". (2529-PS) (6) Reichsschrifttumskammer (Reich Chamber of Literature). The Chamber of Literature had jurisdiction over all persons concerned with the "basic production" (writing and publishing) of literature. Its task was to protect writers "from undesirable elements" and to keep out of the book market everything "un German." It had the further function of bringing literature to the people and making the writer more "aware of his duty to the nation." Primary responsibility for critical evaluation and censorship of literature however, was left to the Propaganda Ministry. (2529-PS) (7) Reichsrundfunkkammer (Reich Radio Chamber). The official gazette of the Reich Culture Chamber stated that the radio was the most immediate propaganda instrument of the National Socialist leadership; that the ideal and cultural life of the nation could be shown "totally" in and through the radio; and that since the radio constituted the most important technical means of influencing the masses it was necessary to establish a close tie between the radio and the Party. Functions of the Radio Chamber included : mobilizing of all technical possibilities of broadcasting, bringing the people closer to radio, planning the manufacture of cheap receiving sets, and propaganda in connection with the drive fro new listeners. (2529-PS) LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO PROPAGANDA, CENSORSHIP, AND SUPERVISION OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES DocumentDescriptionVol.Page Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6 especially 6,
of cheap receiving sets, and propaganda in connection with the drive fro new listeners. (2529-PS) LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO PROPAGANDA, CENSORSHIP, AND SUPERVISION OF CULTURAL ACTIVITIES DocumentDescriptionVol.Page Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6 especially 6, (a).....I5 International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Section IV (D) 3 (e)......I21 Note: A single asterisk (*) before a document indicates that the document was received in evidence at the Nurnberg trail. A double asterisk (**) before a document number indicates that the document was referred to during the trial but was not formally received in evidence, for the reason given in parentheses following the description of the document. The USA series number, given in parentheses following the description of the document, is the official exhibit number assigned by the court. *1708-PSThe Program of the NSDAP. National Socialistic Yearbook, 1941, p. 153. (USA 255; USA 324)....IV208 2029-PSDecree establishing the Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, 13 March 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 104.....IV652 2030-PSDecree concerning the Duties of the Reich Ministry for Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, 30 June 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 449....IV653 2082-PSLaw relating to the Reich Chamber of Culture of 22 September 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 661......IV708 2083-PSEditorial control law, 4 October 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 713.....IV709 2315-PSOrder concerning the Supervision of District Leaders of Work of Reich Chamber of Culture, published in The Law of the Reich Chamber of Culture, Vol. 2, 1 January to 30 June 1935.....IV1007 *2319-PSExtracts from Organization Book of NSDAP, 4th edition, 1937. (USA 602)......IV1009 *2383-PSOrdinance for execution of decree of Fuehrer concerning position of the Head of Party Chancellery of 16 January 1942, published in Decrees, Regulations, Announcements. (USA 410)....V9 2415-PSFirst decree for the implementation of law relating to The Reich Chamber of Culture, 1 November 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I......V89 *2434-PSThe Reich Ministry for Enlightenment of the People and for
of 16 January 1942, published in Decrees, Regulations, Announcements. (USA 410)....V9 2415-PSFirst decree for the implementation of law relating to The Reich Chamber of Culture, 1 November 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I......V89 *2434-PSThe Reich Ministry for Enlightenment of the People and for Propaganda, Berlin 1940, by George Mueller. (USA 722).....V102 2529-PSExtracts from Handbook of Reich Chamber of Culture for 1937......V262 *3016-PSAffidavit of Max Amann, 19 November 1945. (USA 757).....V735 *3469-PSAffidavit of Hans Fritzsche, 7 January 1946. (USA 721).....VI174 *Chart No. 2Totalitarian Control of Propaganda and Education. (USA 21)....VIII771 10. MILITARIZATION OF NAZI ORGANIZATIONS A. The Nazi conspirators placed many of their organizations on a progressively militarized footing with a view to the rapid transformation and use of such organizations as instruments of war. (1) The Schutzstaffeln (SS). The SS was militarized beginning in March 1933, when special, volunteer, armed units were created consisting of full-time garrisoned troops. These units, which rapidly grew in strength, were a part neither of the Wehrmacht, nor of the police, but were exclusively at the disposal of the Fuehrer. This militarization of the SS was in accordance with Nazi policy. (For documentation and further discussion see Chapter XV, Section 5.) (2) The Sturmabteilung (SA). The SA was founded in 1921 as a para-military organization to fight political enemies of the Nazis. After the accession of the Nazis to power, the Sa was used to provide pre-military training at a time when the Reichswehr was legally limited to a strength of 100,000 men. Thus the SA, from its inception, had a military purpose, which was carried out and gradually increased in scope. (For documentation and further discussion see Chapter XV, Section 4.) (3) The Hitler Jugend (HJ). One of the chief purposes of the Hitler Jugend was to provide for military training of German youth at a very early age. As early as 1933, the HJ entered into a secret program of extensive pre-military training for German youth in conjunction with the SA and the Wehrmacht. In addition to general military training members of the HJ were given specialized training
for military training of German youth at a very early age. As early as 1933, the HJ entered into a secret program of extensive pre-military training for German youth in conjunction with the SA and the Wehrmacht. In addition to general military training members of the HJ were given specialized training in various types of military units, such as flying units, naval units, motorized units, signal units, etc. (For documentation and further discussion, see Section 8, supra.) (4) The National Socialist Motor Corps (NSKK). The original NSKK was founded under the name of NSAK (National Socialist Automobile Corps) on 1 April 1930 by Hitler, who joined as its first member. By the end of 1931 it had a membership of approximately 10,000, as compared to 300 at the beginning of that year (2804-PS). In 1934 the motorized Hitler Jugend and the motorized SA were placed under the NSKK. Hitler, on 23 August of that year, decreed that: "the NSAK and the motorized SA are from now on welded together into a unit called NSKK. The NSKK is directly Thus the NSKK was elevated to the position of an independent affiliated unit of the NSDAP, similar to the SA and the SS. The membership of the enlarged NSKK grew rapidly. The military purpose of the NSKK is evident from the following statement from the Organization buch der NSDAP (1940): "The young driver who has received his training in the six-week courses of the NSKK will be well prepared in body and spirit when the time comes for his military service, and will wear with pride the dress of the Armed Forces of the Nation." (2320-B-PS) The program of militarization proceeded rapidly: "More than one-third of all leaders and men of the NSKK, which had in the meantime gown to a membership of 350,000, were already active in the fight for power * * * Thus, the NSKK had in its ranks, in addition to the proud tradition of the period of our fight, also that of the World War. This front spirit and experience of a generation matured to manhood in the barrages, in the battles of attrition, in the battles of the Freikorps, and in the heroic fight of National Socialism for Germany's rebirth, is passed on to our youth as a sacred heritage." (2804-PS) The training given to NSKK members was intended to furnish
of a generation matured to manhood in the barrages, in the battles of attrition, in the battles of the Freikorps, and in the heroic fight of National Socialism for Germany's rebirth, is passed on to our youth as a sacred heritage." (2804-PS) The training given to NSKK members was intended to furnish seasoned recruits for the Nazi military forces. "Military motorized training of our youth is the cardinal task of the educational work of the NSKK. Here it collaborates most closely with the bearer of the arms of the Reich, the Wehrmacht, and it has done so already throughout the years before the seizure of power. The demands and needs of the Army, which continuously grew in scope after the awakening of our Nation and after our regained military freedom also caused the tasks and the work of the NSKK in the field of military motorized training to grow correspondingly * * * By order of the Fuehrer and Supreme Commander of the Wehrmacht, the NSKK has been given charge of the pre-military training of the entire young reserve of the motorized troop units of our Army in addition to post-military training." (2804-PS) NSKK-trained men were intended to be assimilated into Reich panzer units. "Well prepared physically and spiritually, the young German man who has now become a motorized soldier, can serve with a motorized or partially-motorized unit of the Army. To become a tank soldier is his only ambition." (2804-PS) The NSKK was actually used for military purposes. "The men of the NSKK have considerably contributed to the liberation of the Sudetenland by the Fuehrer and have thus gained undying merit, not only for the Germans in the Sudetenland, but for the entire German people as a whole." (2804-PS) Further evidence of actual military use of the NSKK is given in the following passage from "Deutschland im Kampf" written by Ministerialdirigent A. J. Berndt of the Reich Propaganda Ministry and Lt. Col. von Wedel of the German Army High Command, in the issue of June 1940: "The NSKK is playing a decisive part in the carrying out of considerable war-important tasks on the Inner Front, one of which is traffic. Among the tasks of the NSKK are pre-military training, education, and schooling and motorized transport. Thus, for
High Command, in the issue of June 1940: "The NSKK is playing a decisive part in the carrying out of considerable war-important tasks on the Inner Front, one of which is traffic. Among the tasks of the NSKK are pre-military training, education, and schooling and motorized transport. Thus, for instance, the conducting of the entire transport system of the TODT Organization on the West Wall and the traffic in the Western War Theater are in the hands of the NSKK." (2810-PS) (5) The National Socialist Aviation Corps (NSFK). The NSFK was another organization affiliated with the NSDAP used by the Nazi conspirators for military purposes. It was the great training school for the Luftwaffe. "In the endeavor to assure for the German Luftwaffe a numerically strong and wall prepared reserve, and to strengthen in the German people the conviction that Germany must retain its head-start in all spheres of aviation, the NSFK was founded by the Fuehrer on 17 April 1937 * * *. "The NSFK at the time of its creation, was given the following tasks by the Reichsmarshal: "1. Pre-military aviation training of the new blood for the Luftwaffe. "2. The keeping in training of the reservists of the aviation troops. "3. The combining and directing of all German air sports. "4. Promotion and extension of the aviation idea among the German people. "These tasks are so great that the cooperation of tens of thousands of active members in necessary to make carrying them out possible, so that the Luftwaffe may be able at any time to count on their fulfillment according to plan." (2811-PS) The paramount military purpose of the NSFK is clearly indicated in the following admission by Generalleutnant Friedrich Christiansen, Korpsfuehrer of the NSFK: "Schooled in Character, trained physically as a flier, and as a soldier, the member-to-be of the Luftwaffe leaves the NSFK." (2813-PS) (6) The Reichsarbeitdienst (RAD) (The Reich Labor Service). The Reich Labor Service was also subverted to military purposes by the Nazi conspirators. Membership in the RAD was made compulsory for both young men and women on 26 June 1935. "All young Germans of either sex between 18-25 years of age are obligated to serve their people in the Reich Labor Service. As the Schooling of the
was also subverted to military purposes by the Nazi conspirators. Membership in the RAD was made compulsory for both young men and women on 26 June 1935. "All young Germans of either sex between 18-25 years of age are obligated to serve their people in the Reich Labor Service. As the Schooling of the Nation, it has as its object this education of the German Youth to National Socialist Ideology. "The Reich Labor Service for men is, thanks to its military nature, closely-knit units, and its particular education and training an ever-ready, powerful tool of the National Socialist Reich." (2805-PS) The tens of thousands of members of the RAD were militarily trained and ready for action when Germany launched her campaigns of aggression. Actual military use of the men of the RAD is clearly shown in the 1 June 1943 edition of "Fuehren und Erziehen" (Leadership and Education), the official magazine of the Reich Labor Service. A photograph depicts a Labor Service man repairing a bridge at the front, across which four infantrymen are proceeding, and is titled as follows: "The young crews who have gone through the educational institutions of the Reich Labor Service today represent the most active nucleus of our Army. * * * Our photograph shows labor men who in the East are preparing the way for infantry shock troops by repairing a bridge. Thus also the men of the Reich Labor Service are today one of the examples of eternal German soldierdom." (2806-PS) The military uses of the RAD are further described in the following letter written by Goering to Reich Labor Service Leader Konstantin Hierl: "After the victorious termination of the campaign in Poland, I cannot but convey to you my sincere thanks fro and unreserved recognition of the help rendered by the Reich Labor Service in the carrying out of the operations of the Luftwaffe. In guarding Army airfields, in clearing and quickly repairing former enemy airports, in road construction and in bringing up supplies, everywhere your men have done a real job and have thus contributed considerably to the successes of the German Luftwaffe." (2807-PS) (7) The TODT Organization (OT). The TODT organization, or OT, was another NSDAP affiliate used to further the militaristic