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Fascinating pair of original-period documents relating to the Allied denazification of Germany immediately following World War II.
Included are:
1. “Law for Liberation from National Socialism and Militarism”
Occupation-era booklet outlining the system established to identify and classify Germans according to their involvement with the Nazi regime and militarism. The cover is stamped “Information Copy” and identifies the Ministry for Special Tasks as editor.
The booklet explains the different classifications used during denazification—including Major Offenders, Offenders, Lesser Offenders, Followers and Exonerated Persons—and the sanctions that could be imposed on individuals in the various categories.
The law was enacted in the American occupation zone in March 1946 as responsibility for much of the denazification process was being transferred to German authorities under U.S. Military Government supervision.
2. Military Government of Germany “Fragebogen” Denazification Questionnaire
Also included is a large, multi-page folding bilingual English/German Fragebogen, or questionnaire, headed:
MILITARY GOVERNMENT OF GERMANY – Fragebogen
The form bears the designation:
MG/PS/G/92a – Rev. 15 May 45
This dates the revision to May 15, 1945, just days after the surrender of Nazi Germany.
The extensive questionnaire was designed to document an individual\'s background and activities during the Nazi era. Questions cover personal history, education, employment, military service, income and property, foreign travel, political activity and membership in numerous organizations.
Among the organizations specifically listed are the NSDAP, Allgemeine SS, Waffen-SS, Sicherheitsdienst, SA, Hitler Youth/BDM, NSKK, NSFK, German Labor Front and numerous other political, professional and paramilitary organizations associated with the Third Reich.
The questionnaire appears unused and uncompleted, making it an especially interesting surviving example of the administrative process used during the Allied occupation.
Why this grouping is particularly interesting
Together, these two pieces illustrate both sides of the early American denazification program:
- The 1945 Fragebogen gathered detailed information about an individual\'s activities and affiliations during the Nazi era.
- The 1946 Liberation Law established the framework for determining responsibility and imposing appropriate sanctions.
Rather than two unrelated pieces of ephemera, they form an unusually compelling historical grouping documenting how postwar Germany attempted to identify, classify and address involvement with National Socialism.
Condition: Very good overall considering age. The booklet shows age toning, light cover discoloration/handling wear and minor edge wear. Interior pages remain clean and readable with a few small period marks/notations visible. The large Fragebogen retains its original folds and shows expected toning and light handling/fold wear. It appears unused with no responses entered. Please examine all photographs carefully as they form an important part of the condition description.
Included:
• 1946 Law for Liberation from National Socialism and Militarism booklet, stamped “Information Copy”
• 1945 Military Government of Germany bilingual Fragebogen / denazification questionnaire
An excellent original-period grouping for a collection focused on World War II, Allied Occupation Germany, denazification, U.S. Military Government, German history, political history, or postwar European history.
