German Student Union (DSt): History and Political Transformation (1919–1945)
The German Student Union, known in German as the Deutsche Studentenschaft (DSt), served as the central representative body for university students across German-speaking territories from 1919 until 1945. Formed as a merger of general student committees, its jurisdiction extended beyond the borders of Germany to include universities in Danzig, Austria, and former German institutions in Czechoslovakia.
The Weimar Republic and Internal Strife
Established during the Weimar Republic, the DSt was originally intended to function as a democratic representation of student interests. However, the organization was plagued by deep ideological divisions throughout the early 1920s. These internal conflicts primarily pitted a Republican minority against a völkisch majority—a nationalist movement characterized by ethnic and racialist ideologies.
The Rise of National Socialism
By 1931, the political landscape of the DSt shifted dramatically as it came under the dominance of the National Socialist German Students' League. This transition culminated on November 5, 1936, when the League merged with the DSt under the leadership of Gustav Adolf Scheel.
Under Nazi control, the organization abandoned its democratic roots and became an instrument of the state. The DSt and its affiliated league played a significant role in the infamous Nazi book burnings, targeting literature and research deemed "un-German" or subversive to the regime.
The Attack on the Institute of Sex Research
One of the most violent episodes involving the DSt occurred on May 6, 1933. Members of the union launched an organized attack on the Institute of Sex Research located in Berlin's Tiergarten area. This assault was followed shortly after by the systematic destruction of the institute's intellectual assets.
The institute's library and archives were dragged into the streets of the Opernplatz and set ablaze. This act of censorship and violence resulted in the loss of approximately 20,000 books and journals, as well as 5,000 images.
Key Facts
- Active Period: 1919 to 1945.
- Scope: Included universities in Germany, Danzig, Austria, and Czechoslovakia.
- Political Shift: Transitioned from a democratic body to a National Socialist organization.
- Key Figure: Gustav Adolf Scheel led the merger in 1936.
- Major Atrocity: Participated in the destruction of the Institute of Sex Research in May 1933.
- Outcome: Banned in 1945 as a Nazi organization.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Deutsche Studentenschaft (DSt) |
| Founded | 1919 (Weimar Republic) |
| Ideological Conflict | Republican minority vs. Völkisch majority |
| Nazi Merger Date | November 5, 1936 |
| Losses at Institute of Sex Research | 20,000 books/journals and 5,000 images |
| Final Status | Banned in 1945 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the original purpose of the German Student Union?
The DSt was founded during the Weimar Republic to serve as a democratic representation of the interests of students across all German universities.
Which regions were included under the DSt's umbrella?
In addition to German universities, the union included student committees from Danzig, Austria, and former German universities located in Czechoslovakia.
How did the DSt contribute to the Nazi book burnings?
After being dominated by the National Socialist German Students' League, the DSt played a large part in the organized burning of books and journals that the Nazi regime considered undesirable.
What happened to the Institute of Sex Research in 1933?
Members of the DSt attacked the institute in Berlin's Tiergarten on May 6, 1933, subsequently burning 20,000 books and journals and 5,000 images in the Opernplatz.
When and why was the German Student Union dissolved?
The DSt was banned in 1945 because it had become a Nazi organization.