Kitzbühel in the shadow of the Nazi era: an insightful review
Kitzbühel in the shadow of the Nazi era: an insightful review
A new book takes a deep look into the history of Kitzbühel at the time of National Socialism. The work entitled "Hastenkreuz am Hahnenkamm, Kitzbühel in the Nazi era", written by Sabine Pitscheider and published in the study publisher, comprises around 740 pages. Pitscheider, who has been working at the Institute for Contemporary History of the University of Innsbruck since 2008, specializes in Austrian history after 1945 and mainly illuminates the regional history of Tyrol.
In her latest book, she summarizes the political upheavals and developments of the small city, which began in the 1920s when Kitzbühel had around 2,800 inhabitants. In 1938, the city merged with the surrounding municipality of Kitzbühel-Land. The focus of the political disputes was the Great German People's Party, which with Hans Hirnsberger provided a hotelier as mayor and its influence was shaped by anti -Semitism.
The development of the NSDAP in Kitzbühel
The early 1930s brought the National Socialists into the city. In 1929, the Kitzbühel local group of the NSDAP counted only eight members. In comparison, there were already 87 in Innsbruck and in Kufstein 59. On September 10, 1932, an Nazi Applell with 42 participants took place in Kitzbühel, which indicated the increasing importance of the National Socialists in the region. On October 15 and 16, 1938, the NSDAP plans a large -scale rally in Kitzbühel, in which its storm troops should also march. The state government at the time took precautionary measures to prevent a massive influx from Germany.
Pitscheider succeeds in linking the best -known events with a new perspective and context in their work, which is expressed in many details and touching stories. It describes how Kitzbühel developed into a center of alpine skiing in the 1930s. At the same time, the city was a political powder barrel in which personal rivalries and the aftermath of the economic crisis led to faults in the local council.
The "integration" of Austria to National Socialist Germany was welcomed by many in the city, which resulted in numerous persecution. People who thought differently were persecuted for years, while the possession of Jews was "aranized". The power of the Catholic Church was restricted and monastery possession was confiscated. During this time, major sporting events took place, while the Nazi dictatorship dominated political life.
The book is not only a valuable contribution to the culture of remembrance, but also provides important information that is important beyond Kitzbühel's borders. It is supported by the municipality of Kitzbühel and the office of the Tyrolean state government and should find a place on every shelf of politically interested readers. With Sabine Pitscheider's detailed work, the fourth volume of the "Studies on History and Politics" of the Michael Gaismair Society is also viewed as a standard work.
A look at the book
The work comprises 736 pages and is available for 34.90 euros. It offers a comprehensive analysis of Kitzbühel's political development during National Socialism and illuminates the complex interactions between politics, society and business. Pitscheider's concise representations and the incoming research make the book a valuable resource for everyone who is interested in the history of the region.
For more information about the book and its content, it is worth taking a look at the publications of the study publisher.
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