German Student Union
The German Student Union emerged in 1919 as a merger of general student committees from all German universities. This new body included institutions across Danzig, Austria and former German universities in Czechoslovakia. Otto Benecke served as the first chairman during the 1919-20 academic year. He represented the Verband der Vereine Deutscher Studenten group based in Göttingen. The organization aimed to function as a democratic representation of student interests throughout the We Republic period.
Serious internal conflicts erupted within the union during the early 1920s between Republican and völkisch factions. A Republican minority struggled against a growing völkisch majority wing that dominated decision making. Peter van Aubel led the organization from 1920 to 1921 while representing Katholische Freie Vereinigung Cologne. Franz Holzwarth took over the chairmanship for the 1921-22 term from Göttingen. These power struggles reflected broader political tensions tearing apart German society at the time.
National Socialist German Students League gained dominance over the union starting in 1931. Walter Lienau became chairman briefly in 1931 before Gerhard Krüger assumed leadership from 1931 to 1933. Krüger held positions with both NSDStB and Burschenschaft Arminia Greifswald im ADB. Andreas Feickert served from July 1934 until February 1936. The final merger occurred on the 5th of November 1936 under Gustav Adolf Scheel who became Reichsstudentenführer leading both organizations simultaneously.
Members of the DSt launched an organized attack on the Institute of Sex Research on the 6th of May 1933. The institute sat within Berlin's Tiergarten area during this violent confrontation. Days after the initial assault, workers hauled out the library and archives into the streets of Opernplatz. They burned approximately 20,000 books and journals along with 5,000 images. This destruction targeted specific academic materials deemed unacceptable by Nazi ideology.
The German Student Union played a large part in organizing massive book burnings throughout the Nazi era. These events involved public gatherings where thousands of volumes were consumed by flames. Oskar Stäbel led the organization from 1933 to 1934 while representing NSDStB and Landsmannschaft Suevia Karlsruhe. The union coordinated these campaigns as part of broader efforts to control intellectual life across Germany. Such actions marked a turning point in how universities approached free inquiry.
Gustav Adolf Scheel served as chairman from February 1936 until the organization was banned in 1945. He held the title of Reichsstudentenführer leader of both DSt and NSDStB simultaneously. Earlier chairmen included Fritz Hilgenstock from Hannoversche Burschenschaft Arminia during 1922-23. Arthur Fritsch represented K.D.St.V. Winfridia Breslau im Cartellverband for the 1923-24 term. Hellmut Bauer led from 1924 to 1926 while representing Burschenschaft Teutonia Kiel. Günter Thon took over in 1926-27 from Burschenschaft Arminia Brno. Walter Schmadel served from 1927 to 1929 with Burschenschaft Danubia München. Erich Hoffmann chaired from 1929 to 1930 representing Corps Austria Frankfurt am Main. Hans-Heinrich Schulz led from 1930 to 1931 through Corps Hildeso-Guestphalia Göttingen.
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Common questions
When did the German Student Union emerge as a merger of student committees?
The German Student Union emerged in 1919 as a merger of general student committees from all German universities. This new body included institutions across Danzig, Austria and former German universities in Czechoslovakia.
Who served as chairman of the German Student Union during the 1920-21 academic year?
Peter van Aubel led the organization from 1920 to 1921 while representing Katholische Freie Vereinigung Cologne. He represented the group based in Göttingen before Franz Holzwarth took over for the following term.
What happened to the Institute of Sex Research on the 6th of May 1933?
Members of the German Student Union launched an organized attack on the Institute of Sex Research located within Berlin's Tiergarten area. Workers hauled out the library and archives into the streets of Opernplatz where they burned approximately 20,000 books and journals along with 5,000 images.
How long did Gustav Adolf Scheel serve as chairman of the German Student Union?
Gustav Adolf Scheel served as chairman from February 1936 until the organization was banned in 1945. He held the title of Reichsstudentenführer leader of both DSt and NSDStB simultaneously.
Which faction gained dominance over the German Student Union starting in 1931?
The National Socialist German Students League gained dominance over the union starting in 1931. Gerhard Krüger assumed leadership from 1931 to 1933 while holding positions with both NSDStB and Burschenschaft Arminia Greifswald im ADB.