dtufail/nuremberg-trials-corpus huggingface dataset:
organizations, is a further indication of the extraordinary privileges enjoyed by the Nazi Party. (1725-PS) LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO ACQUISITION OF TOTALITARIAN POLITICAL CONTROL DocumentDescriptionVol.Page Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6, especially 6 (a). .........................15 International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Sections IV (D) 1, 2. .......................117,18 note: a single asterisk (*) before a document indicates that the document was received in evidence at the nurnberg trial. 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. indicates that the document was received in evidence at the nurnberg trial. 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. *047-PS Letter to Rosenberg signed by Hitler, 24 August 1931. (USA 725). ...................................III82 *351-PSMinutes of First Meeting of Cabinet of Hitler, 30 January 1933. (USA 389). .........................III270 *404-PSExcerpts from Hitler, Mein Kampf, pp. 456, 475. (USA 256) ..........................................III385 1388-PSLaw concerning confiscation of Property subversive to People and State, 14 July 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 479. ......................III962 1388-A-PSLaw against the establishment of Parties, 14 July 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 479. ........................................III962 1390-PSDecree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and State, 28 February 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 83.................... III968 1393-PSLaw on treacherous attacks against State
1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 479. ........................................III962 1390-PSDecree of the Reich President for the Protection of the People and State, 28 February 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 83.................... III968 1393-PSLaw on treacherous attacks against State and Party, and for the Protection of Party Uniforms, 20 December 1934. 1934 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 1269. ................III973 *1395-PSLaw to insure the unity of Party and State, 1 December 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 1016. (GB 252) .........................iii978 1396-PSLaw concerning the confiscation of Communist property, 26 May 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 293.............................III979 1725-PSDecree enforcing law for securing the unity of Party and State, 29 March 1935. 1935 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 502. ....................IV224 2001-PSLaw to Remove the Distress of People and State, 24 March 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 141. ..................IV638 2047-PSLaw for the extension of the law concerning the removal of the distress of People and Reich, 30 January 1937. 1937 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 105. .................IV660 2048-PSLaw for the extension of the law concerning the removal of the distress of the People and Reich, 30 January 1939. 1939 Reichsgesetzblatt, part I, p. 95. ...................IV660 2050-PSThe Constitution of the German Reich, 11 August 1919. 1919 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 1383......................IV662 2058-PSDecree for the securing of the State Leadership, 7 July 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 462. .............IV699 2059-PSDecree of the Reich President relating to the granting of Amnesty, 21 March 1933. 1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 134. ...............IV701 2103-PSDecree of Fuehrer on Cabinet Legislation, 10 May 1943. 1943 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 295. .......................IV729 *2168-PSBook by SA Sturmfuehrer Dr. Ernst Bayer, entitled "The SA", depicting the history, work, aim and organization of the SA. (USA 411). ..........IV772 *2324-PSExtracts from Reconstruction of a Nation, by Hermann Goering, 1934. (USA 233). ...................IV1033 2403-PSThe End of the Party State, from Documents of German
Dr. Ernst Bayer, entitled "The SA", depicting the history, work, aim and organization of the SA. (USA 411). ..........IV772 *2324-PSExtracts from Reconstruction of a Nation, by Hermann Goering, 1934. (USA 233). ...................IV1033 2403-PSThe End of the Party State, from Documents of German Politics, Vol. I, pp. 55-56. .................V71 2404-PSReport of Hitler's speech in his own defense, published in the Hitler Trial (1934). ...............V73 2405-PSExtracts from German Publications. ............................V79 2412-PSExtracts from Nature and Form of National Socialism Pamphlet by Dr. Joseph Goebbels, Berlin, 1935....V88 2500-PS"What do we want in the Reichstag?" one of Goebbels newspaper articles. ........................V237 2511-PSStatement by Hitler from Voelkischer Beobachter, 24 August 1932. ............................V246 2512-PSHitler's Testimony Before the Court for High Treason, published in Frankfurter Zeitung, 26 September 1931. .............V246 *2513-PSExtract from The National socialist Workers' Party as an Association Hostile to State and to Republican Form of Government and Guilty of Treasonable Activity. (USA 235) ................V252 2514-PSExtract from Statistical Yearbook of the German Reich 1933, concerning elections in the Reichstag. ...........V253 2532-PSExtract from The Third Reich, by Gerd Ruehle..........V268 2573-PSAnnouncement of Official Prussian Press Office, in Frankfurter Zeitung, 1 March 1933. .........................V303 2579-PSExtracts from the Frankfurter Zeitung, 24 March 1933, concerning happenings 23 March. .....................V303 2632-PSExtracts from The National Socialist Revolution 1933, published in Berlin 1935. .........................V343 2633-PSExtracts from Constitutional Law of the Greater German Reich, 1939. ...........................V344 2634-PSGoering to the Condemned, published in Voelkischer Beobachter, 26 August 1932. ................V344 2651-PSStatement by Frick from Voelkischer Beobachter, 14 March 1933. ...........................V359 2652-PSSpeech of Hitler to reichstag, 23 March 1933, from Voelkischer Beobachter, 24 March 1933...............V359 2741-PSSpeech by Hitler on 9 November 1934, published in Voelkischer Beobachter,
2651-PSStatement by Frick from Voelkischer Beobachter, 14 March 1933. ...........................V359 2652-PSSpeech of Hitler to reichstag, 23 March 1933, from Voelkischer Beobachter, 24 March 1933...............V359 2741-PSSpeech by Hitler on 9 November 1934, published in Voelkischer Beobachter, 10 November 1934. ...........V382 2742-PSPassage written by Frick in National Socialist Yearbook, 1927, p. 124. ............................V833 2743-PSPassage written by Frick in National Socialist Yearbook, 1930, p. 178. .....................V383 2759-PSLaw for the protection of Nationalist Symbols, 19 May 1933.1933 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 285. .....V394 *2955-PSAffidavit of Magnus Heimannsberg, 14 November 1945, referring to SA and other Nazi groups posted at polling places. (USA 755) ................V659 *2962-PSMinutes of meeting of Reich Cabinet, 15 March 1933. (USA 578) ...................V669 *2963-PSMinutes of meeting of Reich Cabinet, 20 March 1933. (USA 656). ....................V670 *3054-PS"The Nazi Plan", script of a motion picture composed of captured German film. (USA 167) .....V801 *3740-PSAffidavit of Franz Halder, 6 March 1946. (USA 779) .....................VI635 *L-83Affidavit of Gerhart H. Seger, 21 July 1945. (USA 234) .................VII859 3. CONSOLIDATION OF TOTALITARIAN POLITICAL CONTROL Between the Accession to Power (early 1933) and the Outbreak of the War (late 1939) the nazi Conspirators Consolidated Their Control of Germany by Utilizing and Molding Its Political Machinery to Their Own Ends. A. The Nazi conspirators reduced the Reichstag to an impotent body of their own appointees. Under the Weimar Constitution of the German Reich, adopted by the German people on 11 August 1919, the Reichstag was a representative parliamentary body with broad legislative powers. Article 20 provided that the Reichstag should be "composed of the delegates of the German people." Article 68 of the Chapter on Legislation provided that: "Bills are introduced by the government of the Reich or by members of the Reichstag. Reich laws shall be enacted by the Reichstag." (2050-PS) In Mein Kampf Hitler stated the conspirators' purpose to undermine the Reichstag: "Our young movement in essence and structure is
of the Chapter on Legislation provided that: "Bills are introduced by the government of the Reich or by members of the Reichstag. Reich laws shall be enacted by the Reichstag." (2050-PS) In Mein Kampf Hitler stated the conspirators' purpose to undermine the Reichstag: "Our young movement in essence and structure is anti-parliamentarian, I. e., it rejects majority voting as a matter of principle as well as in its own organization * * * Its participation in the activities of a parliament has only the purpose to contribute to its destruction, to the elimination of an institution which we consider as one of the gravest symptoms of decay of mankind * * *" (2883-PS). With the passage of the law for the Protection of the People and the Reich (also known as the Enabling Act) the Nazi succeeded, in effect, in depriving the Reichstag of its legislative functions. The legislative as well as the executive powers of the government were concentrated in Hitler and the Cabinet (2001-PS; the legislative activities of the Cabinet (Reichsregierung) and its power to contravene constitutional limitations are treated in Section 3 of Chapter XV). During the period from March 1933 until the beginning of 1937, the Reichstag enacted only four laws: the Reconstruction Law of 30 January 1934 and the three Nurnberg laws of 15 September 1935. The Reichstag was retained chiefly as a sounding board for Hitler's speeches. All other legislation was enacted by the Cabinet, by the Cabinet ministers, or by decree of the Fuehrer (2481-PS). Hess has admitted the lack of importance of the Reichstag in the legislative process after 1933. (2426-PS) Hitler indicated in a 1939 decree that the Reichstag would be permitted to enact only such laws as he, in his own judgment, might deem appropriate for Reichstag legislation. (2018-PS) Immediately after the Nazis acquired the control of the central government they proceeded systematically to eliminate their opponents. First they forced all other political parties to dissolve, and on 14 July 1933 issued a decree making illegal the existence of any political party except the Nazi Party. (1388-PS) In early 1935 there were 661 delegates in the Reichstag. Of this number 641 were officially registered
to eliminate their opponents. First they forced all other political parties to dissolve, and on 14 July 1933 issued a decree making illegal the existence of any political party except the Nazi Party. (1388-PS) In early 1935 there were 661 delegates in the Reichstag. Of this number 641 were officially registered as Nazi party members and the remaining 20 were classified as "guests" (Gaeste). (2348-PS; 2380-PS) B. The Nazi conspirators curtailed the freedom of popular elections throughout Germany. Under the Weimar Republic there existed constitutional and legislative guarantees of free popular elections. The Weimar Constitution guaranteed the universal, equal and secret ballot and proportional representation. (2050-PS) These general principles were implemented by the provisions of the Reich Election Law of 1924, particularly with respect to the multiple party system and the functioning of proportional representation. (2382-PS) In Mein Kampf Hitler stated the conspirators' purpose to subvert the system of popular election: "Majority can never replace men. * * * The political understanding of the masses is not sufficiently developed to produce independently specific political convictions and to select persons to represent them." (2883-PS) The occasional national elections after 1933 were formalities devoid of freedom of choice. Bona fide elections could not take place under the Nazi system. The basic ideological doctrine of the Fuehrerprinzip (leadership Principle) dictated that all subordinates must be appointed by their superiors in the governmental hierarchy. In order to insure the practical application of this principle the Nazis immediately liquidated all other political parties and provided criminal sanctions against the formation of new parties. (For further discussion see Section 2 on the Acquisition of Totalitarian Political Control.) Although the Reichstag, unlike all other elective assemblies in Germany, was allowed to continue in existence, elections no longer involved a free choice between lists or candidates. at these elections there were usually large bands of uniformed Nazis surrounding the polls and intimidating the voters. (2955-PS) The surreptitious marking of ballots (e.g. with skimmed milk) was also customary, to ascertain the
to continue in existence, elections no longer involved a free choice between lists or candidates. at these elections there were usually large bands of uniformed Nazis surrounding the polls and intimidating the voters. (2955-PS) The surreptitious marking of ballots (e.g. with skimmed milk) was also customary, to ascertain the identity of the persons who cast "No" or invalid votes. (R-142) Although it had already become practically impossible to have more than one list of candidates, it was specifically provided by law in 1938 that only one list was to be submitted to the electorate. (2355-PS) By the end of this period, little of substance remained in the election law. In an official volume published during the war there are reprinted the still effective provisions of the law of 1924. The majority of the substantive provisions have been marked "obsolete" (gegenstandslos) (2381-PS). The comprehensive Nazi program for the centralization of German government included in its scope the whole system of regional and local elections, which soon ceased to exist. Article 17 of the Weimar Constitution had required a representative form of government and universal, secret elections in all Laender and municipalities (2050-PS). Yet in early 1934, the sovereign powers (Hoheitsrechte) of the Laender were transferred by law to the Reich, and the Land governments were placed under the Reich control: "The popular assemblies (Volksvertretungen) of the Laender shall be abolished." (2006-PS) Pursuant to the German Communal Ordinance of 30 January 1935, the mayors and executive officers of all municipalities received their appointments "through the confidence of Party and State" (Article 6 (2)). Appointments were made by Reich authorities from lists prepared by the Party delegates (Article 41). City councillors were selected by the Party delegates in agreement with the mayors (Article 51 (1)). (2008-PS) C. The Nazi conspirators transformed the states, provinces, and municipalities into what were, in effect, mere administrative organs of the central government. under the Weimar Constitution of the per-Nazi regime, the states, provinces, and municipalities enjoyed considerable autonomy in the exercise of governmental functions-legislative, executive and
the states, provinces, and municipalities into what were, in effect, mere administrative organs of the central government. under the Weimar Constitution of the per-Nazi regime, the states, provinces, and municipalities enjoyed considerable autonomy in the exercise of governmental functions-legislative, executive and judicial. (2050-PS) Hitler, in Mein Kampf, stated the conspirators' purpose to establish totalitarian control of local government: "National Socialism, as a matter of principle, must claim the right to enforce its doctrines, without regard to present federal boundaries, upon the entire German nation and to educate it in its ideas and its thinking. * * *. The National Socialist doctrine is not the servant of political interests of individual federal states but shall become the ruler of the German nation." (2883-PS) These Views were echoed by Rosenberg: "In the midst of the great power constellations of the globe there must be, for foreign as well as for internal political reasons, only one strong central national authority, if one wants Germany to regain a position which makes it fit for alliance with other countries." (2882-PS) By a series of laws and decrees, the Nazi conspirators reduced the powers of the regional and local governments and substantially transformed them into territorial subdivisions of the Reich government. the program of centralization began almost immediately after the Nazis acquired the chief executive posts of the government. On 31 March 1933, they promulgated the Provisional Law integrating the Laender with the Reich (2004-PS). this law called for the dissolution of all state and local self governing bodies and for their reconstitution according to the number of votes cast for each party in the Reichstag election of 5 March 1933. The Communists and their affiliates were expressly denied representation. A week later there followed the Second Law Integrating the laender with the Reich (2005-PS). This Act established the position of Reich governor. He was to be appointed by the President upon the proposal of the Chancellor, and was given power to appoint the members of the Land governments and the higher Land officials and judges, the authority to reconstruct the Land legislature according to the
This Act established the position of Reich governor. He was to be appointed by the President upon the proposal of the Chancellor, and was given power to appoint the members of the Land governments and the higher Land officials and judges, the authority to reconstruct the Land legislature according to the law of 31 March 1933 (2004-PS, supra), and the power of pardon. On 31 January 1934, most of the remaining vestiges of Land independence were destroyed by the Law for the reconstruction of the Reich: "The popular referendum and the Reichstag election of November 12, 1933, have proved that the German people have attained an indestructible internal unity (unloesliche innere Einheit) superior to all internal subdivisions of political character. Consequently, the Reichstag has enacted the following law which is hereby promulgated with the unanimous vote of the Reichstag after ascertaining that the requirements of the Reich Constitution have been met: Article I. Popular assemblies of the laender shall be abolished. Article II. (1) The sovereign powers (Hoheitsrechte) of the Laender are transferred to the Reich. (2) The Laender governments are placed under the Reich government. Article III. The Reich governors are. placed under the administrative supervision of the Reich Minister of Interior. Article IV. The Reich Government may issue new constitutional laws." This law was implemented by a regulation, issued by Frick, providing that all Land laws must have the assent of the competent Minister of the Reich, that the highest echelons of the Land Government were to obey the orders of the competent Reich Minister, and that the employees of the Laender might be transferred into the Reich Civil Service. (1653-PS) The Reichsrat (Reich Council) was abolished by law on 14 February 1934, and all official representation on the part of the Laender in the administration of the central government was at an end (2647-PS). The legislative pattern was complete with the enactment of the Reich Governor Law on 30 January 1935, which solidified the system of centralized control. The Reich Governor was declared to be the official representative of the Reich government, who was to receive orders directly from Hitler (Reichstatthaltergesetz (Reich Governor
was complete with the enactment of the Reich Governor Law on 30 January 1935, which solidified the system of centralized control. The Reich Governor was declared to be the official representative of the Reich government, who was to receive orders directly from Hitler (Reichstatthaltergesetz (Reich Governor Law), 30 January 1935, 1935 Reichsgesetzblatt, Part I, p. 65). The same development was apparent in the provinces, the territorial subdivisions of Prussia. All local powers were concentrated in the Provincial Presidents, who acted solely as representatives of the national administration (2049-PS). Similarly, in the case of the municipalities local self-government was quickly reduced to a minimum and communal affairs were placed under central Reich control. The Nazi Party Delegate was given special functions: "* * * in order to insure harmony between the communal administration and the Party." (Art. 6 (2)). The Reich was given supervision over the municipalities: "* * * in order to insure that their activities conform with the laws and the aims of national leadership." (2008-PS) The Nazi conspirators frequently boasted of their comprehensive program of government centralization. Frick, Minister of the Interior throughout this period, wrote: "The reconstruction law abolished the sovereign rights and the executive powers of the Laender and made the Reich the sole beare of the rights of sovereignty. The supreme powers of the Laender do not exist any longer. The natural result of this was the subordination of the Land governments to the Reich government and the Land Ministers to the corresponding Reich Ministers. On 30 January 1934, the German Reich became one state. (2481-PS) In another article Frick indicated even more clearly the purposes which underlay this program of centralization: "In the National Socialist revolution of 1933, it was stipulated for the first time in the history of the German nation that the erection of a unified state (Einheitsstaat) would be accomplished. From the early days of his political activity, Adolf Hitler never left a doubt in the mind of anyone that he considered it the first duty of National Socialism to create a German Reich in which the will of the people would be led in a single direction