The Deutsche Studentenschaft attacked Magnus Hirschfeld's Institut für Sexualwissenschaft, later burning many of its books.

The German Student Union, known in German as the Deutsche Studentenschaft (abbreviated DSt), served as a unifying umbrella organization for the general student committees of all German universities between its founding in 1919 and its dissolution in 1945. Its reach extended beyond the borders of post-World War I Germany, encompassing universities in the Free City of Danzig, Austria (following its annexation into the Greater German Reich), and former German universities located in Czechoslovakia (specifically the Sudetenland regions).

Established amidst the vibrant, yet turbulent, intellectual landscape of the Weimar Republic, the DSt was initially conceived as a democratic representative body for student interests. However, its early years in the 1920s were marred by profound internal ideological conflicts. A minority wing advocating for republican ideals found itself increasingly overshadowed by a powerful völkisch majority. This dominant faction espoused a virulent form of nationalism, often intertwined with antisemitism and anti-democratic sentiments, reflecting the broader political radicalization simmering within German society at the time.

The trajectory of the DSt took a definitive turn towards totalitarianism from 1931 onwards when it fell under the sway of the National Socialist German Students' League (NSDStB). This highly politicized and ideologically driven Nazi student organization systematically infiltrated and eventually dominated the DSt. The formal merger of the NSDStB with the DSt was solidified on November 5, 1936, under the leadership of Gustav Adolf Scheel, a prominent Nazi official who would later hold significant positions within the regime. This consolidation effectively transformed the DSt from a student representative body into a direct instrument of Nazi propaganda and policy.

One of the most infamous actions associated with the DSt was its significant role in the Nazi book burnings. A particularly egregious incident occurred on May 6, 1933, when members of the DSt orchestrated a coordinated attack on the pioneering Institute of Sex Research in Berlin's Tiergarten district. Founded by the visionary physician and sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld, the Institute was a global leader in its field, conducting groundbreaking research on human sexuality, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and promoting sex education and contraception. Its progressive, tolerant, and scientifically rigorous approach was anathema to Nazi ideology. Just a few days after the initial raid, on May 10, 1933—a date synonymous with book burnings across Germany—the Institute's invaluable library and extensive archives were hauled out and publicly incinerated in the Opernplatz (now Bebelplatz) in Berlin. This act of intellectual and cultural destruction annihilated approximately 20,000 books and journals, alongside 5,000 irreplaceable images, representing a profound loss to global scientific and cultural heritage.

Ultimately, the German Student Union's journey from a democratic aspiration to a tool of oppression concluded in 1945. Following the collapse of the Third Reich, the DSt was officially banned by the Allied powers as a Nazi organization, marking the end of its deeply controversial existence.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the initial purpose of the German Student Union (DSt)?
The DSt was founded in 1919 during the Weimar Republic as a democratic umbrella organization intended to represent the interests of students across all German universities.
How did the DSt become associated with the Nazi regime?
In the early 1920s, the DSt saw significant internal conflicts, with a nationalist, anti-democratic "völkisch" wing gaining dominance. By 1931, it was increasingly controlled by the National Socialist German Students' League (NSDStB), which officially merged with the DSt in 1936, making it a direct instrument of Nazi ideology and policy.
Who was Gustav Adolf Scheel in relation to the DSt?
Gustav Adolf Scheel was a prominent Nazi figure who oversaw the formal merger of the National Socialist German Students' League with the German Student Union on November 5, 1936, solidifying the DSt's complete integration into the Nazi apparatus.
What was the significance of the attack on the Institute of Sex Research?
The attack on the Institute of Sex Research on May 6, 1933, and the subsequent burning of its library and archives, was a pivotal event demonstrating the DSt's role in the Nazi regime's assault on intellectual freedom and anything deemed "un-German." The Institute, founded by Magnus Hirschfeld, was a world leader in progressive research on sexuality, making it a symbolic target for destruction.
When was the German Student Union (DSt) ultimately dissolved?
The German Student Union was officially banned in 1945 by the Allied powers following the defeat of Nazi Germany, due to its designation as a Nazi organization.