Download The Nuremberg Laws (1935)

1 Primary Source 13.3 NUREMBERG RACE LAWS, SEPTEMPER 15, 19351 Following the selection of Adolf Hitler (1889–1945) as chancellor in January 1933, the Nazi Party created a one-­‐party dictatorship, persecuted political opponents, and methodically worked toward their two main goals: world conquest and the destruction of the Jewish people, goals that for Hitler were intimately linked. Nazi anti-­‐Semitism was influenced by racial theorists, such as Wilhelm Marr (1819–1904), who transformed traditional Jew-­‐hatred, which had been religiously based, into a conception of Jews as ethnically alien and therefore naturally hostile to German culture. The anti-­‐Semitic legislation of the Nazis, therefore, was not intended to oppress only those who practiced Judaism, but anyone with Jewish ancestry. On September 15, 1935, two anti-­‐Jewish Nuremberg Laws were adopted. The one denied them civil rights and even German citizenship, despite the fact that many German Jews had ancestors in Germany going back centuries; the second stripped Jews of social rights, making it illegal for Jews to marry or engage in sexual relations with non-­‐Jews. Both laws classified people as Germans, Jews, or Mischlinge (those with mixed German and Jewish blood). To be classified as Jewish one needed to have three or four Jewish grandparents, while one or two resulted in classification as a Mischling. Only those with four German grandparents were considered to be true Germans. These laws were later expanded to apply to other groups such as Gypsies and blacks as the Nazis attempted to racially “purify” Germany. The Nuremberg Laws pointed toward the Nazi policy, adopted during World War II, of annihilating Jews throughout Europe in what has come to be known as the Holocaust. For the text online, click here. REICH CITIZENSHIP LAW The Reichstag has unanimously enacted the following law, which is promulgated herewith: Article 1. 1. A subject of the state is a person who enjoys the protection of the German Reich and who in consequence has specific obligations toward it. 2. The status of subject of the state is acquired in accordance with the provisions of the Reich and the Reich Citizenship Law. Article 2. 1. A Reich citizen is a subject of the state who is of German or related blood, and proves by his conduct that he is willing and fit to faithfully serve the German people and Reich. 2. Reich citizenship is acquired through the granting of a Reich citizenship certificate. 1 Nuremberg Race Laws, http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/es/article.php?ModuleId=10007903. 2 3. The Reich citizen is the sole bearer of full political rights in accordance with the law. Article 3. The Reich Minister of the Interior, in coordination with the Deputy of the Führer, will issue the legal and administrative orders required to implement and complete this law. Nuremberg, September 15, 1935 At the Reich Party Congress of Freedom The Führer and Reich Chancellor [signed] Adolf Hitler The Reich Minister of the Interior [signed] Frick2 THE LAW FOR THE PROTECTION OF GERMAN BLOOD AND GERMAN HONOUR Moved by the understanding that purity of the German Blood is the essential condition for the continued existence of the German people, and inspired by the inflexible determination to ensure the existence of the German Nation for all time, the Reichstag3 has unanimously adopted the following Law, which is promulgated herewith: Article 1. 1) Marriages between Jews and subjects of the state of German or related blood are forbidden. Marriages nevertheless concluded are invalid, even if concluded abroad to circumvent this law. 2) Annulment proceedings can be initialed only by the State Prosecutor. Article 2. Extramarital intercourse between Jews and subjects of the state of German or related blood is forbidden. Article 3. 2 Wilhelm Frick (1877–1946) was responsible for policing, national security, and other domestic issues as Minister of the Interior (1933–43). 3 A pseudo-­‐Parliament dominated by National Socialists, which only met to ratify executive orders proclaimed by Hitler. 3 Jews may not employ in their households female subjects of the state of German or related blood who are under 45 years old. Article 4. 1) Jews are forbidden to fly the Reich4 or National flag5 or to display the Reich colors. They are, on the other hand, permitted to display the Jewish colors. The exercise of this right is protected by the State. Article 5. (1) Any person who violates the prohibition under §1 will be punished by a prison sentence with hard labor. (2) A male who violates the prohibition under § 2 will be punished with a prison sentence with or without hard labor. (3) Any person violating the provisions under § 3 or §4 will be punished with a prison sentence of up to one year and a fine, or with one or the other of these penalties. Article 6. The Reich Minister of the Interior, in coordination with the Deputy of the Führer and the Reich Minister of Justice, will issue the Legal and Administrative regulations required to implement and complete this Law. Article 7. The Law takes effect on the day following promulgations except for §3, which goes into force on January 1, 1936. Nuremberg, September 15, 1935 At the Reich Party Congress of Freedom The Führer and Reich Chancellor [signed] Adolf Hitler The Reich Minister of the Interior [signed] Frick The Reich Minister of Justice [signed] Dr. Gürtner6 The Deputy of the Führer 4 The tricolor flag consisting of black, red, and gold. 5 The flag of the Nazis consisted of a swastika in a white circle with a red background. 6 Franz Gürtner (1881–1941) served as Hitler’s Minister of Justice from 1932 until 1941. 4 [signed] R. Hess7 7 Rudolf Hess (1894–1987) was Deputy Führer from 1933 until he fled to Scotland in 1941.