PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Essential Question: What was the reason of burning the books, and what are some major events?
On April 8, 1933 the main office for press and propaganda of the German Student Union proclaimed a nationwide "Action against Un-German spirit," to climax in a literacy purge or "cleaning" by fire
The burning represents an element of censorship and ussually proceeds from cultural, religion, or political opposing to the material in question. On May 10, 1933 at Berlin, Germany Germans deemed books Un-German to burn in the fire.
Un-German books are anti national and reactionary texts and literature (representing ideologies opposing to Nazism). Including books written by Jewish, pacifist, religious, classical liberal, anarchist, socialist, and communist authors.
At the meeting place, students threw the pillaged and "unwanted" books into bonfires with great ceremony, band playing, and so called Fire Oaths (which were statements said when burning the books made by German Student Association).
Nonetheless, in 34 university towns across Germany the burning was a success, but to get news out to the people there were enlisting newspapers coverage. In some places notably Berlin radio broadcast brought the speeches, songs, and ceremonial chants "live" to countless German listeners.
Fun fact: Nazi book burning was featured in the Indian Jones movie The Last Cursade.
Importance: This event is an important topic to know, so that we do not repeat history in such awful way. To look back at nazi ideas such as (the book burning) and learning we should not burn book just because we don't agree with the concept.
Biblography
1 "Nazi Book Burnings.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 23 Oct. 2017,
2 Deutsche Welle. “Cultural Incineration: 80 Years since Nazi Book Burnings | German History | DW | 16.05.2013.” DW.COM,
3 Book Burning.” United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum,
