‘Like Mirrors of Morality’: Social Support for Nazi War Criminals in Post-War Germany

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Karstedt, Susanne
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Smeulers, A

Weerdesteijn, M

Hola, B

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2019
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Abstract

In the first sweep of trials after the Second World War, many perpetrators of atrocity crimes were sentenced by Allied and national courts in Germany. Soon campaigns were started, including high-ranking officials and politicians, to commute and reduce sentences. Networks of support emerged that helped sentenced perpetrators and their families during imprisonment and after release, but also assisted those who were the target of further prosecution, thereby often obstructing justice. Networks ranged from loose and informal associations of those who had been complicit in committing the crimes, to personal support groups, professional and local networks, and charitable organizations, including the Red Cross and both churches. This chapter explores the activities of these networks and organizations, their role in a society in transition, and the normative climate of ‘collective defiance’ in which they operated and thrived. Exemplary cases of individuals and organizations are used to illuminate these processes in post-war Germany.

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Perpetrators of International Crimes: Theories, Methods, and Evidence

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Criminology

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Karstedt, S, ‘Like Mirrors of Morality’: Social Support for Nazi War Criminals in Post-War Germany, Perpetrators of International Crimes: Theories, Methods, and Evidence, 2019, pp. 269-314

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