Marburg's University in focus: Coming to terms with the Nazi past intensified!

Marburg's University in focus: Coming to terms with the Nazi past intensified!

On May 8, 2025, numerous institutions will commemorate the liberation from National Socialism, including the Philipps University of Marburg. This commemorative event not only serves as a reminder, but also promotes the examination of one's own history, especially in relation to the period of the Second World War.

The University of Marburg was occupied by US troops on March 28, 1945, which meant a profound change for the students and employees there. The renowned theologian Rudolf Bultmann already commented on the liberation of Marburg back then, although the questions about coming to terms with and making reparation for National Socialist injustices continue to be of great relevance. In the post-war period, only 26 members of the university permanently lost their jobs due to denazification.

Coming to terms with the past

The case of Ernst von Hülsen, the university curator, and Wilhelm Pfannenstiel, a doctor, illustrates the inadequate denazification. While some of those affected were able to continue their careers, such as the heavily burdened Erich Schwinge, who later became rector, it took until 1965 before the university took the first steps to make amends. This was done by declaring that the revocation of doctoral degrees from Jews was declared ineffective.

In 2002, the topic of rehabilitation was taken up again, which was the starting signal for more intensive research into the university's history during the Nazi era. The opportunity to view crucial files contributed significantly to the processing. The specific measures include, among other things, the return of Nazi-looted items from the university library.

University President Thomas Nauss emphasizes how important a lively discourse and dealing with the past are. With this in mind, the university has created a comprehensive portal on the “History of the University of Marburg under National Socialism”. This offer is supplemented by events to which all interested parties are invited.

Reparation and documentation

Parallel to the memorial event, an initiative by the Federal Archives will be discussed, which launched the thematic portal “Reparations for National Socialist Injustice” in July 2021. This portal aims to make the documentary heritage available to the public for reparation. The first version was activated in June 2022 and enables around 550 holdings from state archives to be identified.

The offer is aimed at a wide range of target groups. Relatives can search for specific documents, while schoolchildren and students receive low-threshold access to a complex topic. Scientists support each other through topical research.

The prospects for further expansion of the portal are promising. In addition to expanded access to documents, a “digital reading room” is also planned, which enables legally compliant access to protected documents. In addition to documentation, new categories such as podcasts, films and modern file studies will enrich the offering.

The Philipps University of Marburg and the Federal Archives are thus sending a clear signal for dealing with the past. Both institutions attach great importance to remembrance and responsibility for what happened during National Socialism in order to make society aware of the importance of this issue.

For further information on the history of the University of Marburg and redress for National Socialist injustice, the following links are available: Philipps University of Marburg and Federal Archives.