Arrest by the Nazis Carl von Ossietzky

carl von ossietzky in esterwegen ossietsky – man speaks hollow voice across border 1934.

ossietzky continued constant warning voice against militarism , nazism. in 1932, published article in stated:

anti-semitism akin nationalism , best ally. of kind because nation that, without territory or state power, has wandered through 2 thousand years of world history living refutation of whole nationalist ideology derives concept of nation exclusively factors of power politics. anti-semitism has never had roots among workers. has been middle-class , small-peasant affair. today, when these classes face greatest crisis, has become them kind of religion, or @ least substitute religion. nationalism , anti-semitism dominate german domestic political picture. barred organs of fascism, pseudo-revolutionary shrieks drown out softer tremolo of social reaction.

in same essay, ossietzky wrote:

intellectual anti-semitism special prerogative of houston stewart chamberlain, who, in foundations of nineteenth century, concretized fantasies of count arthur de gobineau, had penetrated bayreuth. translated them language of harmless snobbery of modernized, seductive mysticism...contemporary anti-semitic literature, insofar not simple, crude jew-baiting, in far claims intellectual consideration, satisfied postulate imposing teutonism which, examined critically dissolves thin air beautiful epicurean god. word blood plays large part in phraseology. blood, immutable substance, determines fate of nations , men. because of secret laws of blood, germans , jews never able mix, must mutually antagonistic until doomsday. romantic, hardly deep. no real science of nationalities can based on such flimsy premises. german , jewish not fixed categories established once , in mystic prehistoric age, rather flexible concepts change content spiritual , economic changes dependent on general dynamics of history.

finally, ossietzky warned: today there strong smell of blood in air. literary anti-semitism forges moral weapon murder. sturdy , honest lads take care of rest.

when in january 1933 adolf hitler appointed chancellor, nazi dictatorship began, then, ossietzky 1 of small group of public figures continued speak out against nazi party. on 28 february 1933, after reichstag fire, arrested , held in so-called protective custody in spandau prison. wilhelm von sternburg, 1 of ossietzky s biographers, surmises if ossietzky had had few more days, surely have joined vast majority of writers fled country. in short, ossietzky underestimated speed nazis go ridding country of unwanted political opponents. detained afterwards @ esterwegen concentration camp near oldenburg, among other camps. throughout time in concentration camps, ossietzky mercilessly mistreated guards while being deprived of food. in november 1935, when representative of international red cross visited ossietzky, reported saw trembling, deadly pale something, creature appeared without feeling, 1 eye swollen, teeth knocked out, dragging broken, badly healed leg . . . human being had reached uttermost limits of borne.

carl von ossietzky memorial in berlin district pankow