Political Persecution in Germany – Documentary from the Middle Ages to the Present Day
Political persecution in Germany, politically motivated crime, and political violence did not only exist during Prussian absolutism, the German Empire, the Weimar Republic, the Nazi era, and the GDR: in the FRG and the EU as well, dissidents and members of the opposition face repression and are restricted in their political or professional activities. We document political persecution in Germany.
News on Political Persecution and Repression in Germany
Political Prisoners in Germany
Political persecution in the GDR and the Federal Republic of Germany (1949 to 1990)
Political Persecution in East Germany: The Machinery of SED Oppression
The German Democratic Republic (GDR), while presenting itself as a progressive socialist state, maintained power through an extensive system of …
Political Persecution in the Bonn Republic (1949–1990): Party Bans and Professional Exclusions
The Bonn Republic (1949-1990) is considered the cradle of German democracy after the war. But behind the facade of the …
The Silent Persecution: How Postwar Germany Continued the Nazi War on Homosexuality
In 1949, with the ashes of the Third Reich still fresh, the newly founded Federal Republic of Germany promised a …
Historical Political and Religious Persecution
The Garrison State: Surveillance, Discipline, and Political Persecution in Absolute Prussia
When we think of the Prussian absolutist state of the 18th century, images of immaculate military parades, strict administrative efficiency, …
The Persecution of Clara Zetkin: State Surveillance and Political Justice in the Weimar Republic
While official historical narratives frequently celebrate the Weimar Republic as a progressive, golden era of democratic awakening, a closer look …
“Maleficium” and the Modern Witch Hunt
In the dark chapters of witch hunts, the accusation of “Maleficium” (harmful magic) was the ultimate weapon of the judiciary …
The Council of Constance – A Tribunal of Power and the Death of Conscience
On the surface, the Council of Constance (1414–1418) was intended to restore the unity of the Church. However, behind the …
Hieronymus of Prague – The Philosopher of Resistance and the Legacy of Persecution
While Jan Hus is often seen as the face of the Bohemian Reformation, Hieronymus of Prague (1379–1416) was its intellectual …
Katharina Henot: A Victim of Intrigue and the Witch-Hunt Frenzy in Cologne
Katharina Henot (c. 1570–1627) is one of the most famous victims of the witch hunts in Germany. Her fate serves …
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Theory of Stupidity: Why Foolishness Is More Dangerous Than Evil
Dietrich Bonhoeffer (1906-1945) remains one of the most significant theological and ethical voices of the 20th century, whose insights into …
Hugo Junkers: Expropriation, House Arrest, and the Destruction of a Visionary Engineer
Hugo Junkers (1859–1935) is widely regarded as one of the most brilliant engineers in German history. Yet while his name …