Science plans war crime

Humboldt-Universität presents publication on its dealings with the National Socialist "Generalplan Ost" The history of the Friedrich-Wilhelms Universität, and later the Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin (HU), is closely interwoven with times of new beginnings, freedom and innovation. Yet, the history of the Humboldt-Universität is also marked by obedience to state power and involvement in injustice, racism, anti-Semitism and war crimes. This also includes the scientific justification and derivation of the so-called "Generalplan Ost" (Master plan for the East). Between 1940 and 1943, Reichsführer SS Heinrich Himmler had a total of five variants for the violent transformation of Eastern Europe drawn up by scientists at what was then the University of Berlin. Together, they formed the complex of plans that made up the "General Plan East". The key player in these plans was the National Socialist, agricultural scientist and University of Berlin professor Konrad Meyer. Close relationship between science and National Socialism.