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Mass Suicides In Nazi Germany
During the final weeks of Nazi Germany and World War II in Europe, many civilians, government officials, and military personnel throughout Germany and German-occupied Europe committed suicide. In addition to Adolf Hitler and many high-ranking Nazi officials like Joseph Goebbels, Heinrich Himmler, and Philipp Bouhler, others chose suicide rather than accept the defeat of Germany. Motivating factors included fear of reprisals and atrocities by the Allies and especially the Soviets, Nazi propaganda glorifying suicide as preferable to defeat, and despondency after Hitler's suicide. For example, in May 1945, up to 1,000 people killed themselves in a mass suicide in the German town of Demmin, before and after the entry of the Red Army. In Berlin alone more than 7,000 suicides were reported in 1945. Periods of suicides have been identified between January and May 1945 when thousands of German people took their own lives. ''Life'' magazine reported that: "In the last days of the war the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Moscow Declarations
The Moscow Declarations were four declarations signed during the Moscow Conference on October 30, 1943. The declarations are distinct from the communique that was issued following the Moscow Conference of 1945. They were signed by the foreign secretaries of the governments of the United States, the United Kingdom, the Soviet Union and the Republic of China. Four declarations were signed at the conference: The Declaration of the Four Nations on General Security, the Declaration on Italy, the Declaration on Austria, and the Declarations on Atrocities. Declarations Declaration of the Four Nations on General Security In the section ''Joint Four-Nation Declaration'', the governments of the United States of America, United Kingdom, the Soviet Union, and China, in accordance with the declaration by United Nations of January 1942, and subsequent declarations, agree to continue hostilities against those Axis powers with which they respectively are at war until such powers have laid dow ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hanging
Hanging is killing a person by suspending them from the neck with a noose or ligature strangulation, ligature. Hanging has been a standard method of capital punishment since the Middle Ages, and has been the primary execution method in numerous countries and regions. The first known account of execution by hanging is in Homer's ''Odyssey''. Hanging is also a Suicide by hanging, method of suicide. Methods of judicial hanging There are numerous methods of hanging in execution that instigate death either by cervical fracture or by Strangling, strangulation. Short drop The short drop is a method of hanging in which the condemned prisoner stands on a raised support, such as a stool, ladder, cart, horse, or other vehicle, with the noose around the neck. The support is then moved away, leaving the person dangling from the rope. Suspended by the neck, the weight of the body tightens the noose around the neck, effecting strangulation and death. Loss of consciousness is typically rapid ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Führerbunker
The () was an air raid shelter located near the Reich Chancellery in Berlin, Germany. It was part of a subterranean bunker complex constructed in two phases in 1936 and 1944. It was the last of the Führer Headquarters (''Führerhauptquartiere'') used by Adolf Hitler during World War II. Hitler took up residence in the on 16 January 1945, and it became the centre of the Nazi regime until the last week of World War II in Europe. Hitler married Eva Braun there on 29 April 1945, less than 40 hours before they committed suicide. After the war, both the old and new Chancellery buildings were levelled by the Soviet Red Army. The underground complex remained largely undisturbed until 1988–89, despite some attempts at demolition. The excavated sections of the old bunker complex were mostly destroyed during reconstruction of that area of Berlin. The site remained unmarked until 2006, when a small plaque was installed with a schematic diagram. Some corridors of the bunker ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Berlin Philharmonic
The Berlin Philharmonic () is a German orchestra based in Berlin. It is one of the most popular, acclaimed and well-respected orchestras in the world. Throughout the 20th century, the orchestra was led by conductors Wilhelm Furtwängler (1922–45; 1952–54), Herbert von Karajan (1955–89), and Claudio Abbado (1989–2002). The orchestra’s early years, particularly during the later Nazi era, saw a heavy focus on the Austro-Germanic repertoire, featuring composers such as Beethoven, Brahms, Bruckner, Strauss, and Wagner. Under Furtwängler and Karajan, it became renowned for its distinctive sound and high-quality musicianship and toured widely. In the latter half of the 20th century, the orchestra broadened its repertoire to include more Classical, Romantic, and 20th-century works, as well as lesser-known compositions and music from outside the Austro-German tradition. Since Furtwängler's tenure, the orchestra has made numerous recordings, with the number of recording ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Hitler Youth
The Hitler Youth ( , often abbreviated as HJ, ) was the youth wing of the German Nazi Party. Its origins date back to 1922 and it received the name ("Hitler Youth, League of German Worker Youth") in July 1926. From 1936 until 1945, it was the sole official boys' youth organisation in Germany (although the League of German Girls was a wing of it) and it was partially a paramilitary organisation. It was composed of the Hitler Youth proper for male youths aged 14 to 18, and the Deutsches Jungvolk, German Youngsters in the Hitler Youth ( or "DJ", also "DJV") for younger boys aged 10 to 14. With the German Instrument of Surrender, surrender of Nazi Germany in 1945, the organisation ''de facto'' ceased to exist. On 10 October 1945, the Hitler Youth and its subordinate units were outlawed by the Allied Control Council along with other Nazi Party organisations. Under Strafgesetzbuch section 86a, Section 86 of the Strafgesetzbuch, Criminal Code of the Germany, Federal Republic of Germ ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cyanide Poisoning
Cyanide poisoning is poisoning that results from exposure to any of a number of forms of cyanide. Early symptoms include headache, dizziness, fast heart rate, shortness of breath, and vomiting. This phase may then be followed by seizures, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and cardiac arrest. Onset of symptoms usually occurs within a few minutes. Some survivors have long-term neurological problems. Toxic cyanide-containing compounds include hydrogen cyanide gas and a number of cyanide salts, such as potassium cyanide. Poisoning is relatively common following breathing in smoke from a house fire. Other potential routes of exposure include workplaces involved in metal polishing, certain insecticides, the medication sodium nitroprusside, and certain seeds such as those of apples and apricots. Liquid forms of cyanide can be absorbed through the skin. Cyanide ions interfere with cellular respiration, resulting in the body's tissues being unable to use ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Black Propaganda
Black propaganda is a form of propaganda intended to create the impression that it was created by those it is supposed to discredit. Black propaganda contrasts with gray propaganda, which does not identify its source, as well as white propaganda, which does not disguise its origins at all. It is typically used to vilify or embarrass the enemy through misrepresentation. The major characteristic of black propaganda is that the audience are not aware that someone is influencing them, and do not feel that they are being pushed in a certain direction. Black propaganda purports to emanate from a source other than the true source. This type of propaganda is associated with covert psychological operations. Sometimes the source is concealed or credited to a false authority and spreads lies, fabrications, and deceptions. Black propaganda is the " big lie", including all types of creative deceit.Jowett, Garth S., Victoria O'Donnell, ''Propaganda and Persuasion''. 2006. Sage Publications ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Operation Periwig
Operation Periwig was a secret service operation planned and carried out by the British people, British Special Operations Executive (SOE) from November 1944 onwards during the Second World War. The aim was to disrupt the Nazi Germany, Nazi regime by feigning resistance movements within the German territory. Background At the beginning of the war, the British secret service was aware that it was practically impossible to establish a real resistance movement in Germany. Due to the almost insurmountable surveillance by the German security organs, it was considered hopeless to attempt creating such a complex structure, especially since all British Espionage, agents deployed in Germany were exposed and arrested at the beginning of the war. Planning In cooperation with the Political Warfare Executive (PWE) and the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS), a plan was made to invent a suitable resistance movement. This measure was intended to involve the German security organs in practical ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Volkssturm
The (, ) was a ''levée en masse'' national militia established by Nazi Germany during the last months of World War II. It was set up by the Nazi Party on the orders of Adolf Hitler and established on 25 September 1944. It was staffed by conscripting males between the ages of 16 and 60 years, who were not already serving in some military unit. The ''Volkssturm'' comprised one of the final components of the Total war#Nazi Germany, total war promulgated by Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda, Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels, part of a Nazi endeavor to overcome their enemies' military strength through force of will. ''Volkssturm'' units fought unsuccessful battles against Allies of World War II, Allied forces at the end of the war. On several occasions, its members participated in atrocities, accompanied by German civilians and the Hitler Youth, which were overseen by members of the Schutzstaffel, SS or ''Administrative divisions of Nazi Germany, Gau'' leaders ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Mass Suicide In Demmin
On 1 May 1945, hundreds of people killed themselves in the town of Demmin, in the Province of Pomerania (now in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), Germany. Although death toll estimates vary, it is acknowledged to be the largest mass suicide ever recorded in Germany. The suicide was part of a mass suicide wave amongst the population of Nazi Germany. Nazi officials, the police, the ''Wehrmacht,'' and many citizens had left the town before the arrival of the Red Army, while thousands of refugees from the East had also taken refuge in Demmin. Three Soviet negotiators were shot prior to the Soviet advance into Demmin and Hitler Youth, amongst others, fired on Soviet soldiers once inside the town. The retreating ''Wehrmacht'' had blown up the bridges over the Peene and Tollense rivers, which enclosed the town to the north, west, and south, thus blocking the Red Army's advance and trapping the remaining civilians. The Soviet units looted and burned down the town, and committed rapes and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Magda Goebbels
Johanna Maria Magdalena Goebbels (; 11 November 1901 – 1 May 1945) was the wife of Nazi Germany's propaganda minister Joseph Goebbels. A prominent member of the Nazi Party, she was a close ally, companion, and political supporter of Adolf Hitler. Some historians refer to her as the unofficial " first lady" of Nazi Germany, while others give that title to Emmy Göring. With defeat imminent during the Battle of Berlin at the end of World War II in Europe, she and her husband poisoned their six children with a cyanide compound before committing suicide in the Reich Chancellery gardens. Her eldest son, Harald Quandt, from a previous marriage to Günther Quandt, survived her. Early life Magda was born in 1901 in Berlin, Germany, to an unwed couple, Auguste Behrend and engineer . The couple were married later that year and divorced in either 1904 or 1905. Some sources claim their marriage took place before Magda's birth, although there is no evidence to support this. Rits ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
