Erlangen: Departing from the Past
Abstract
In order to better understand what was done after World War II in Erlangen, I
needed to explore National Socialism, the Third Reich, and the roots of its takeover. I
was interested in Erlangen because it is so close to the party rally grounds. I also felt a
connection with Erlangen, having studied abroad there. I am placing Erlangen in the
larger picture of Germany during National Socialism. In the first chapter, I explore the
local and national contexts of National Socialism in Germany, going back to discover
why Germany was so susceptible. In the second chappter, I explore Erlangen's
involvement with National Socialism. To what extent were they caught up in the party?
The third chapter deals with the American Occupation in Erlangen. I use this chapter to
see how Erlangen, along with the rest of Occupied Germany under American Command,
was denazified. After that, I have the conclusion in which I better explore how Erlangen,
and to an extent, Germany, coped with their past.