Attack on Magnus Hirschfeld's Institute
May 6th, 1933
May 6th, 1933

How Long Ago?
91 years, 10 months, 9 days ago
Location
Berlin, Germany
Category
Social Movements & Civil Rights
People
- Magnus Hirschfeld
- Deutsche Studentenschaft members
Links & References
Tags
Attack on Magnus Hirschfeld's Institute
Members of the Deutsche Studentenschaft violently attacked Magnus Hirschfeld's Institut für Sexualwissenschaft in Berlin, destroying property and burning many of its books. This attack was part of a broader campaign against what the attackers viewed as un-German elements in society, particularly in the realm of sexuality and science. Hirschfeld's institute was one of the first in the world dedicated to the study of sexuality and gender, making it a target for those opposed to his progressive views.
Hirschfeld's institute studied sexual science.
Attack part of Nazi ideological campaign.
Many valuable books and materials were destroyed.
Symbolized rising authoritarianism in Germany.
What Happened?
The attack on Magnus Hirschfeld's Institut für Sexualwissenschaft took place in Berlin, where members of the Deutsche Studentenschaft, an organization aligned with the National Socialist German Workers' Party, stormed the institute. Hirschfeld, a Jewish physician and sexologist, had established the institute in 1919 to study human sexuality and advocate for the rights of sexual minorities. The scholars and activists affiliated with the institute promoted a scientific approach to sexuality, which conflicted with the growing ideological and cultural conservatism in Germany at the time. The students, fueled by Nazi propaganda, perceived the institute as a bastion of 'degeneracy' that threatened traditional German values. They raided the building, violently destroying research materials and archives. This event marked a significant turning point as it symbolized the beginning of the Nazi regime’s systematic repression of sexual minorities and intellectual discourses that contradicted their ideology. The event was part of a broader campaign in which Nazis sought to cement their control over German society by eliminating cultural institutions that promoted liberal thought. While the destruction had immediate consequences for Hirschfeld's research and the German sexual rights movement, it also highlighted the increasing authoritarianism of the regime. The books and research that were burned were not only vital contributions to the field of sexology but also represented the progressive values of the Weimar Republic.
Why Does it Matter?
This attack is interesting as it signifies the intersection of politics, ideology, and science. It is a harbinger of the repressive measures that the Nazi regime would implement against various social and intellectual segments of society. The burning of Hirschfeld’s works reflected a broader cultural purge aimed at erasing progressive thought and reinforcing a more traditional and exclusionary societal framework. This incident resonates throughout history as it shows the dangers of unchecked political power and the impact it can have on science and individual rights.
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