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Rudolf Steiner and the Nazis
Recent
accusations of “racist” and “Nazi” undertones
of anthroposophy and Waldorf Schools betray a curious case of history
contradicting itself. To the Nazis themselves, Anthroposophists were
persecuted as guilty of the opposite charges: “individualistic,”
“internationally oriented,” and “pacifistic,”
they were accused of maintaining close ties to Jews. Their humanistic
philosophy, contradictory to the ideas of race and “Volk”
upheld by the Nazis, was determined to be “directly opposed to
National Socialism”. The following is a short excerpt from Uwe
Werner's recent book,
“Anthroposophen in der Zeit des Nationalsozialismus ”
(Verlag R. Oldenberg, Muenchen, 1999),
which sketches the historical circumstances of the anthroposophical
movement in the time of Nazi Germany.
[See also this document at the
Waldorf Answers site.]
Anthroposophy in the Time of Nazi Germany
Anthroposophists belonged to the many groups of people who were
persecuted under the Nazi regime. Hitler's own disdaining
remarks regarding Rudolf Steiner and the Anthroposophists
appeared as early as 1921.
[See Note 1]
By spring of 1933, articles
criticizing the movement began appearing more frequently in
National Socialist newspapers. By summer of that year,
Steiner's books were banned from public libraries in Bavaria,
and study groups and branches of the Anthroposophical Society,
along with other cultural organizations, were ordered to submit
to National Socialistic leadership.
During
the years leading up to the 1935 prohibition of the German
Anthroposophical Society and the closing of Waldorf Schools in
the years thereafter, the society Council was faced with the
question of whether to submit to pressure to dissolve the
Society of their own accord, or whether to attempt to preserve
the Society and to continue working as long and as effectively
as possible. Choosing the second of these two paths made it
necessary for them to make compromises in order to be tolerated
by those in power. It is for this reason that, despite the fact
that the main Council had unanimously renounced the National
Socialist cause at an internal meeting at Easter 1933, there
was never a public rejection of National Socialism on the part
of the Anthroposophical Society.
Like
the Anthroposophical Society, institutions based on
anthroposophy (such as Waldorf Schools, schools for the
handicapped, hospitals, schools of Eurythmy, etc.), for the
most part adopted a strategy of peaceful and passive
resistance. Waldorf Schools experienced serious financial
strains and were forced to let go of Jewish teachers, but the
remaining teachers could continue to create their own lesson
plans. In homes for the handicapped, children could be cared
for. It was still possible to publish and to have access to the
work of Rudolf Steiner. In a manner of working not unlike that
carried out by Anthroposophists today in regions with human
rights violations, efforts aimed to uphold human dignity
wherever possible.
Though
the decision had been reached by July, 1934, it was not until
November 1, 1935 that, through the efforts of Nazi leaders
Heinrich Himmler and Reinhard Heydrich, the Anthroposophical
Society was prohibited in Germany. The grounds for its
prohibition read as follows:
“According to its historical development, the Anthroposophical
Society is internationally oriented and even today continues to
maintain close contacts to foreign freemasons, Jews and
pacifists. The methods of teaching developed by its founder,
Steiner, and followed in the anthroposophical schools still
existing today follow an individualistic and human-oriented
education, which has nothing in common with principles of
National Socialistic education. As a result of its opposition
to the National Socialistic idea of Volk (Voelkische
Gedanke), the continued activity of the Anthroposophical
Society imposes the danger of injuring the National Socialistic
State. The organization is therefore to be dissolved on account
of its subversive character and the danger it poses to the
public.”
[See Note 2]
The
accusations had been carefully researched. Himmler ordered
numerous investigative reports that serve to document the stand
of the Nazis toward anthroposophy. Fifteen indepth reports,
as well as countless individual accounts, all come to the same
conclusion: that anthroposophy is irreconcilable with the aims
and ideologies of National Socialism.
“To
briefly summarize my judgement,” wrote Jakob Wilhelm Hauer,
Professor of Religion at the University of Tuebingen and member
of the Secret Service of the S.S.,
“every
undertaking and activity of anthroposophy necessarily arises
out of the Anthroposophical world view. The anthroposophical
worldview is in its most important points directly opposed to
National Socialism. Therefore, schools which are built out of
the anthroposophical worldview and led by anthroposophists mean
danger to true German education.”
[See Note 3]
Perhaps the most persuasive adherent of National Socialism to
formulate the incompatibility of anthroposophy and National
Socialism was Alfred Bauemler, a distinguished philosopher and
professor of education in Berlin. As part of his work within
the Rosenburg Office “for the control of the intellectual life
of the National Socialist Party”, he was commissioned to
conduct an indepth investigation of the work of Rudolf
Steiner. Unlike hasty and unstudied police reports, Bauemler's
“Report on Waldorf Schools” and “Report on Rudolf
Steiner and Philosophy” are noteworthy attempts to understand
the thoughts underlying anthroposophy: Baeumler's hope was to find
means to adopt aspects of Waldorf pedagogy into National Socialist
education. He concluded, however, that the principles underlying
anthroposophy contradict the aims of the National Socialistic State.
“The fateful distinction,” he wrote, “occurs
through the fact that Steiner replaces the theory of heredity
with a different, positive theory. Steiner does not
simply overlook the biological reality, but rather consciously
converts it to its opposite. Anthroposophy is one of the most
consequent antibiological systems.” In that race and
Volk are discounted in anthroposophy as the essential
determining factor of individual capacity, Bauemler realizes
that the objectives in Waldorf education, according to
Steiner's principles, “can only be humanistic, and not based on
race or ethnic group.”
[See Note 4]
In
March, 1936, Waldorf Schools were prohibited from taking on new
students; by summer of 1941, all Waldof Schools in Germany had
been forced to close their doors.
On
June 9, 1941, shortly before the attack on Russia, the Gestapo
staged an action against the “inside opponents” of the Nazis.
The Christian Community was prohibited from continued activity,
and prominent Anthroposophists and members of the Christian
Community were arrested, interrogated, and imprisoned or sent
to concentration camps. The following fall, the Department of
Security of the Reich published a 50 page brochure entitled
“Anthroposophy and its Associated Institutions”. The report's
concluding statement read: “If one is to accept the totality of
thinking embraced in a world-view and recognize its impact on
the entire opinions and bearing of the people, the'n there can
be no doubt that followers of Anthroposophy must necessarily
become opponents of National Socialism.”
[See Note 5]
* * *
Documentary Material
1. Adolf Hitler about Rudolf
Steiner and Three-folding
“In
the course of the London affair, there gradually emerged such
mysterious circumstances that it has become not only expedient
but indeed necessary to look somewhat more closely at this
Minister [Simons], the intimate friend of the Gnostic and
Anthroposophist Rudolf Steiner, follower of Three-folding of
the Social Organism and whatever all these Jewish methods of
destroying the normal frame of mind of the people are called:
to see whether that mindless face, as Lloyd George described
it, is really just the result of a deficient intellect, or if
it is the mask behind which something else is concealed ...
[He continues with a protest against Simon's
political activity, and particularly the movement to disarm the
German people] ... And who is the driving force behind all
this devilishness? The Jew! Friend of Doctor Rudolf Steiner,
the friends of Simons, the ‘mindless’ ...”
Adolf
Hitler, Staatsmaenner oder Nationalverbrecher (“Men of the State
or National Criminals”), in: Voelkischer Beobachter, 35Jg., 15
March 1921, S.2. (original German text)
2. Prohibition of the
Anthroposophical Society in Germany, November 1, 1935
“Prussian Secret Police, Berlin, November 1, 1935.
The deputy chief (stell. Chef) and Inspector
II 1 B 2 69121/766 L/35.
Regarding: the Anthroposophical Society.
In
accordance with paragraph 1 of the decree of 2.28.1933 for the
Protection of People and State, issued by the President of the
Reich, I hereby dissolve the Anthroposophical Society within
the territory of the German Reich, effective immediately. The
organization's properties are to be confiscated. The
re-establishment of the Society, as well as the creation of
undercover successor organizations, is forbidden under threat
of the penalties described in paragraph 4 of the above-named
decree.
Grounds: According to its historical development, the
Anthroposophical Society is internationally oriented and even
today continues to maintain close contacts to foreign
freemasons, Jews and pacifists. The methods of teaching
developed by its founder, Steiner, and followed in the
anthroposophical schools still existing today follow an
individualistic and human-oriented education, which has nothing
in common with principles of national socialistic education. As
a result of its opposition to the National Socialistic idea of
Volk (Voelkische Gedanke), the continued activity of the
Anthroposophical Society imposes the danger of injuring the
National Socialistic state.
The
organization is therefore to be dissolved on account of its
subversive character and the danger it poses to the public.
sig.
in absentia, Heydrich.
BAK
(German Federal Archives) R.43 II/822 (original German
text)
3. Dr. J.W. Hauer on Waldorf
Schools
“[...]
To briefly summarize my judgement: Every undertaking and
activity of anthroposophy necessarily arises out of the
anthroposophical world view. The anthroposophical world view is
in its most important points directly opposed to national
socialism. Therefore, schools which are built out of the
anthroposophical world view and led by anthroposophists mean
danger to true German education, particularly through the
relation of the anthroposophical communities to
Dörnach, the international center of anthroposophy,
in which Jews also play an important role, or at any rate have
played until the present. A survey of the teachers and leaders
of the individual Waldorf Schools in Germany before the [Nazi]
takeover indicates clearly that the Jewish impact was important
in the German anthroposophical communities and schools.”
Prof.
Dr. J.W. Hauer, in an internal report for the Secret Service,
Stuttgart on February 7, 1935. BAP R 4901-3285 (original German
text)
4. From “Report on Waldorf
Schools” and “Report on Rudolf Steiner and Philosophy”
by Alfred Bauemler
The
understanding of man (.Menschenkunde) which underlies
Waldorf education contain deep and correct insights, which R.
Steiner derived mostly from his exceedingly fruitful study of
Goethe's writings on natural science. The National Socialistic
understanding of man can only be derived from race. To the
extent to which race is a reality of nature, it could appear
that already in the point of departure there lay an essential
correlation between Rudolf Steiner's understanding of man, and
that of National Socialism: Steiner departs from the formative
forces of Nature and bases school-education on the development
of natural forces. One might thereby call his education
“biologically” founded. However, if one were to attempt to
introduce the concept of race as we understand it into this
biological foundation, it would explode Steiner's understanding
of man. This is because National Socialism departs from the
reality of blood, and from the differences that exist
between groups of people of differing blood. We grasp these
differences not only biologically/anthropologically, but
primarily historically, in that we turn our attention to
those things which people of varying blood-heritage have
produced and developed: the cities, works of art, inventions,
scientific systems, etc. Rudolf Steiner's understanding of man
has no access to this historical thinking derived from
knowledge of the reality of race. The position occupied in our
world view by the man determined by the forces of race is
occupied in the world view of Rudolf Steiner by the Spirit of
Man, sovereign over all history. The thought of Rudolf Steiner
is not biological-racist, but biological-cosmic.”
Alfred
Bauemler, Report on Waldorf Schools, 1937, in: Achim
Leschinsky, “Waldorf Schools in National Socialism”, Neue
Sammlung, May/June 1983, p.280. (original German
text)
“Steiner is not only an epigone of idealistic philosophy, but
he builds upon the philosophy of the intellect (spirit) in a
decided manner. The fateful turning point occurs through the
fact that Steiner replaces the theory of heredity with a
different, positive theory. He does not simply overlook the
biological reality, but rather consciously converts it to its
opposite. Anthroposophy is one of the most consequent
antibiological systems in existence.” (p.401)
“Objectives of pedagogical activity: According to the basic
assumptions of anthroposophy, these objectives can only be
humanistic, and not based on race or ethnic group.” (p.403)
Alfred Bauemler, Report on Rudolf Steiner and Philosophy, 1938,
in: Uwe Werner, Anthroposophen in der Zeit der Nationalsozialismus
1933-1945, Muenchen, 1999, p. 401, 403. (original German text)
5. “Anthroposophy and its
Associated Institutions”
“Die
Anthroposophie und ihre Zweckverbaende. Bericht unter
Verwendung von Ergebnissen der Aktion gegen Geheimlehren und
sogenannte Geheimwissenschaften vom 5. Juni 1941.” RSHA ca.
Oktober 1941. (“Anthroposophy and its Associated Institutions.
Report applying evidence from the Operation against Secret
Teachings and so called Occult Sciences of June 5, 1941.” RSHA,
ca. October 1941)

A b s c h r i f t
Berlin, 1.November 1935
Geheime
preussische Staatspolizei
Berlin, 1.November 1935
(ausgehändigt 12.November)
Betrifft
Anthroposophische Gesellschaft
Auf Grund des
§ 1 der V.O. des Herrn Reichspräsidenten zum Schutze von Volk
und Staat vom 28.2.1933 löse ich mit sofortiger Wirkung die im
Gebiete des deutschen Reiches bestehende Anthroposophische Gesellschaft
auf. Das Vermögen der Organisation wird beschlagnahmt. Die
Neu-Gründung der Gesellschaft sowie die Schaffung getarnter
Nachfolgeorganisationen wird bei Androhung der Folgen aus § 4
dieser Verordnung verboten.
Gründe!
Nach der
geschichtlichen Entwicklung der Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft
ist diese international eingestellt und unterhält auch heute noch
Beziehungen zu ausländischen Freimaurern, Juden und Pazifisten.
Die auf der Pädagogik des Gründers Steiner
aufgebauten und in den heute noch bestehenden anthroposophischen
Schulen angewandten Unterrichtsmethoden verfolgen eine
individualistische, nach dem Einzelmenschen ausgerichtete
Erziehung, die nichts mit den nationalsozialistischen
Erziehungsgrund-säĪtzen gemein hat. Infolge ihres Gegensatzes zu
dem vom Nationalsozialismus vertretenen völkischen Gedanken
besteht die Gefahr, dass durch die weitere Tätigkeit der
Anthroposophischen Gesellschaft die Belange des national-sozialistischen
Staates geschädigt werden.
Die
Organisation ist daher wegen ihres staatsfeindlichen und
staatsgefährdenden Charakters aufzulösen.
I.V. Heydrich
Stempel. Beglaubigt : gez. Bosse
Kanzleiangestellte
[For the English translation of this letter, see
Note 2, above]


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