Since coming into power in 1933, the national socialists in Germany pursued their oppressing, discriminating and racist policies even in the fields of science. They tried to control all aspects of life, including culture, science and education. Many decrees and orders pushed disliked and “non-Aryan” economists, scientists and scholars out of their sphere of activity and replaced them with followers of their regime. Overall about half a million people migrated from the NS-regime. 12,000 of them were part of the former German intellectual elite. Among them were about 1,700 academic scholars, which will be the focus of this paper. Not everyone could escape easily, because the immigration policies of the receiving countries were not only driven by humanity and often strict. Besides the ideal of “free science”, most countries were anxious to submit suitable applicants including persons whose work in the world of science, of the arts or business and industry may be advantageous to their country. Also they had to consider the politics of internal and foreign affairs. However, a lot of scientists were supported by special organizations which were designed to help high skilled workers with their emigration. But still it was not easy for them to integrate in the new countries. In their receiving countries the former German elite has made enormous progress in research and even made an impact on post-war Germany.
The common view is that the receiving countries gained while Germany lost due to this brain drain. The paper discusses the question whether this view is appropriate and points out that it is problematic to handle with these simple terms. Beyond that, it claims that one cannot speak of a emigration-induced scientific change without considering many prerequisites.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Preconditions that lead to the Emigration
2.1 Cultural and Scientific Background
2.2 Laws and Decrees of the NS regime
3. Circumstances of the Emigration
3.1 Situation in Germany
3.2 Situation in the Receiving Countries
3.2.1 Problems of the Emigration: Integration, Xenophobia and Isolationism
3.2.2 Prospects of the Emigration: Receiving Countries and Organizations start to think things over
4. Impacts of the Emigration
4.1 In the Receiving Countries
4.2 In Germany
5. The Role of the Emigration
5.1 Emigration-induced Scientific Change
5.2 Gain-and-loss
6. Conclusion
Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines the forced migration and exodus of approximately 1,700 academic scholars, scientists, and economists from Nazi Germany between 1933 and 1945. It critically evaluates the common "brain drain" model, which views the emigration as a simple gain for receiving nations and a loss for Germany, by analyzing the complex socio-political prerequisites and the long-term impact on the development of scientific knowledge.
- The influence of Nazi policies and laws on the academic landscape.
- Integration challenges, xenophobia, and professional obstacles faced by emigrants in host countries.
- The function of support organizations in facilitating professional migration.
- A critical reassessment of the "gain and loss" paradigm in international scientific history.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1 Situation in Germany
Overall, an estimated 500,000 people escaped from German-speaking areas. More of 90% of them were Jewish. Most of the emigrants were threatened by prosecution because of ideological or political reasons, or at least could not keep up their personal and occupational integrity under the national socialist's regime (Kreuter, 1998, p. 296). The refugees emigrated to about 80 different countries. First, as mentioned, in Europe, then later to all other continents. Many political opponents of the regime, about 30,000 to 40,000 already escaped in the first weeks and months after the takeover (Kreuter, 1998, p. 296). Among them were a lot of natural and other scientists as well as authors and other intellectuals.
About 1,200 scientists lost their jobs immediately in 1933. Until the end of the thirties this numbers rose to 1,700. Another 400 lost their employment in Austria. Moreover 7,500 people had to give up their academic jobs, like lawyers and doctors. Overall about 12,000 intellectuals lost their jobs (Krohn, 1987, p 18). Astonishingly only 60 per cent of them emigrated in the thirties (Krohn, 1987, p 23). This elite mostly escaped to Europe, especially the United Kingdom. Palestine was also a popular country for emigration. Thanks to Kemal Atatürk's dictatorship of modernization, German scholars got good job offers from Turkey. In later years the USA was the favorite spot for emigration, close to 50 per cent of the emigrants ended up in this country (Krohn, 1987, p 23).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the scope of the study regarding the forced exodus of German intellectuals following the Nazi rise to power in 1933. It establishes the research goal of questioning the simplified "loss-and-gain" view of this migration.
2. Preconditions that lead to the Emigration: Analyzes the political, racial, and economic factors that led to the systematic removal of academics from German institutions. It highlights how Nazi decrees and cultural policies sought to reshape the German university landscape.
3. Circumstances of the Emigration: Explores the destination countries for emigrants and the immense difficulties regarding integration, such as xenophobia and complex immigration regulations. It also covers the emergence of support organizations that aided high-skilled refugees.
4. Impacts of the Emigration: Evaluates the consequences for both the host nations and Germany. It contrasts the immediate loss of intellectual capital in Germany with the scientific and research contributions made by emigrants in countries like the USA.
5. The Role of the Emigration: Critically discusses the theoretical assumptions of "Emigration-induced Scientific Change" and the "gain-and-loss" debate. It argues that scientific development is a complex, continuous process that cannot be reduced to simple migratory effects.
6. Conclusion: Summarizes the study’s findings, suggesting that the emigration of intellectuals should be viewed as a single, dramatic episode in the larger, continuous circulation of global scientific knowledge.
Keywords
Forced migration, National Socialism, intellectual elite, brain drain, scientific change, acculturation, academic exile, emigration policy, Nazi regime, Third Reich, transnational knowledge, socio-economical findings, displacement, professional integrity, historical circulation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the forced migration and emigration of approximately 1,700 German scientists, scholars, and economists who fled the Nazi regime between 1933 and 1945.
What are the primary themes covered in the study?
The main themes include the political and legal preconditions for the exodus, the challenges of integration in host countries, the role of international support organizations, and the long-term impact on global scientific development.
What is the ultimate research goal of the work?
The goal is to critically analyze and challenge the popular "gain-and-loss" model, arguing that the emigration's effects were far more complex than a simple transfer of human capital from Germany to other nations.
Which methodology does the author employ?
The author conducts a qualitative review of historical literature, books, and academic journals to synthesize existing research and reassess the sociological and intellectual consequences of this specific migratory wave.
What does the main body of the text address?
The main body systematically explores the phases of the emigration—from the initial political pressure and laws in Germany to the challenges in receiving countries and the eventual academic contributions made by the refugees abroad.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include "Forced migration," "National Socialism," "scientific change," "brain drain," "academic exile," and "intellectual elite."
How did support organizations like the Academic Assistance Council influence the migration?
These organizations were crucial in balancing the interests of host countries with the needs of displaced scholars, often helping them navigate immigration restrictions and find academic positions based on their professional qualifications.
Why does the author argue that the "loss-and-gain" model is insufficient?
The author argues that science and culture are not static phenomena that can be transferred easily. Many of the contributions made by emigrants were parts of larger scientific trends already in progress, and therefore cannot be attributed solely to the emigration process itself.
What was the significance of the United States as a destination for these emigrants?
The USA became the primary destination, especially later in the 1930s, offering better professional opportunities, less rigid class structures, and a more favorable environment for innovation compared to the conservative climate in Central Europe.
- Quote paper
- Markus Stegmann (Author), 2009, Escape of Science – The Emigration and Forced Migration of Scientists, Scholars and Economists from Germany 1933-1945, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/147150
