Refurbishing of the Nazi era: Financials in the focus of research

Refurbishing of the Nazi era: Financials in the focus of research

In April 2025, a research project was initiated at the European University of Flensburg, which deals with the role of the Schleswig-Holstein tax authorities under National Socialism. The aim of the project is to examine the structures, processes and responsibilities of these authorities during the Nazi regime. Research focuses in particular on the fate of Jews, Sintiz and Sinti as well as Romnja and Roma, who suffered disenfranchisement, exploitation and deportation during this time. The project is commissioned by the Schleswig-Holstein Ministry of Finance and directed by Prof. Dr. Marc Buggeln, supplemented by Dr. Hanno Balz, who has returned after a professorship at the University of Cambridge.

One of the central questions of the investigation refers to the actions of the tax authorities in the post-war period, in particular in the context of the compensation and repositioning procedures. The files for these procedures are also used in order to analyze the scope of action and discretion of the authorities. Particular attention is paid to the biographies of perpetrators and victims as well as the motivations of financial officials who may have been involved in robbery and other crimes.

accompaniment and support from food for thought

An accompanying advisory board of civil society, politics and science should support the project and bring in various perspectives. The results of the comprehensive investigation are expected to be published in autumn 2025 in the form of a written research report, which should help to deepen understanding of the historical processes and the role of the tax authorities in National Socialism. For more information, citizens and interested parties can access the relevant research resources, which are href = "https://www.bundestag.de/resource/blob/410502/23e348e9f5c6c046abd7072584eae/wd-4-07-pdf-data.pdf"> Bundesag In addition to the current research, the Federal Archives have taken over the conception and design of the theme portal "Replacement of National Socialist injustice", which has been available since July 2021. This portal will be further developed in cooperation with the Baden-Württemberg State Archives and other institutions. It offers thematic access to over 550 stocks from state archives and is designed to make the document inheritance accessible to the public to make amends. A first version of the portal was unlocked in June 2022.

future prospects for research and processing

The portal enables research in the existing files and offers extensive information about reparation projects, relevant laws and a collection of materials. Future expansion plans include, among other things, the introduction of a digital reading room, in which clearly protected documents are to be made accessible in accordance with the leg. The offers provided are aimed at relatives, students and scientists who want to deal with the complex topic.

Bundestag and Federal Archive actively support the necessary information on the subjects of reversing and dealing with injustice. The commitment of all participating institutions underlines the relevance and necessity to generally explore and process the history in the context of National Socialism and its consequences.