Uncovering dark chapters: financial authorities and the victims of the Nazi era

Uncovering dark chapters: financial authorities and the victims of the Nazi era

In April 2025, an important research project was launched at the European University of Flensburg (EUF). The project examines the role of the Schleswig-Holstein financial authorities during National Socialism, particularly with regard to the disenfranchisement, exploitation and deportation of Jews as well as Sintize, Sinti, Romnja and Roma. This comprehensive analysis was commissioned by the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Finance to shed light on important administrative structures and processes during this dark period of history and to examine the post-war period, particularly in connection with compensation and reparations.

The research center for regional contemporary history and public history under the scientific direction of Prof. Dr. Marc Buggeln, is led by Dr. Hanno Balz, who recently returned from a DAAD professorship at the University of Cambridge. The team is supported in carrying out the project by an advisory board made up of civil society, politics and science in order to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Finance.

Focus and methodology of the project

The focus of the research is the evaluation of files dealing with reimbursement and reparation procedures. The scientists will analyze the scope of action of the financial authorities during National Socialism as well as the biographies of the perpetrators and victims involved. A key goal is to understand the motivation of tax officials that led to their involvement in the politics of robbery and exploitation, focusing on ideological and personal motivations.

The results of this in-depth investigation are expected to be published in the form of a written research report in autumn 2025. This will make a valuable contribution to understanding the complex role of tax authorities in the past.

Contextualizing reparations

In addition to research at the EUF, the Federal Archives plays a central role in coming to terms with National Socialist crimes. On July 1, 2021, the Federal Archives took over the implementation of the thematic portal “Reparations for National Socialist Injustices”. This portal was created in collaboration with the Baden-Württemberg State Archives and several institutions and aims to make reparation documents accessible to the public.

The first version of the portal was activated on June 1, 2022 and offers access to around 550 holdings from state archives. It helps various target groups, such as relatives of victims, students and scientists, to better navigate the complex topic. In the future, additional functions, such as the creation of a “digital reading room” and the ability to search for people, will be made available to make research even easier.

The interplay between current research at the EUF and the extensive archival offerings of the Federal Archives illustrates the efforts to systematically research and process the history of National Socialism and its consequences. The scientific conception and broad analysis are suitable not only for documentation, but also for reflection on the responsibility of institutions in the past.