Overview
- Description
- The diary, which begins in April 1936, contains entries in which Rosenberg reflects on contemporary events, including the Soviet-German non-aggression pact, the invasion of Poland, Germany’s relations with other countries prior to the war (Romania, Spain, Afghanistan, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Italy), the personalities and activities of other Nazi leaders, his antipathy to organized religion and to the Roman Catholic church in particular, accounts of his meetings with Hitler, the latter’s affirmations of Rosenberg’s writings and activities, and his perceptions of the popularity and reception of his writings among the general public, including “Der Mythus des 20. Jahrhunderts.” The latter part of the diary treats Rosenberg’s appointment by Hitler as Reichminister of the Occupied Eastern Territories, differences in policy between Rosenberg and others in how to administer these territories, political infighting, eventual military setbacks on the Eastern front, and his accounts of the effects of war and bombing raids on Germany. The diary ends in December 1944. Additional years of this diary (1934-1935) are held by the National Archives and Records Administration (U.S.), in College Park, Maryland. A digitized version is available as is a transcript.
- Date
-
inclusive:
1936-1944
- Credit Line
- United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Lucian W. Kempner
- Collection Creator
- Alfred Rosenberg
- Biography
-
Alfred Rosenberg was born in Reval (now Talinn), Estonia, on January 12, 1893, into a family of German Baltic merchants and artisans. Rosenberg joined the Nazi Party in 1920. He eventually became editor of the "Voelkischer Beobachter.," He was the author of many works elaborating the philosophical views behind the Nazi movement, in particular, its antisemitic and anti-religious views, in well knownworks sich as "Der Mythus des 20. Jahrhunderts" (The Myth of the 20th Century). He became a Reichstag deputy for the Nazi Party after the election of Sept. 14, 1930, and was assigned to the Party Office on Foreign Affairs. In 1933, Rosenerg became head of the Party's Office on Foreign Relations.Shortly thereafter, he was appointed Deputy of Ideology and Education. On January 24, 1934, Hitler promoted Rosenberg to the rank of Reichsleiter (National Leader) for the Office for Supervision of the Total Intellectual Schooling of the Party. On July 17, 1941, he was made Reich Minister for the Occupied Eastern Territories. In 1942, he became Commissioner for the Safeguarding of the National Socialist Philosophy for the Party and State, which included the indoctrination of the Armed Forces. He was the founder of the National Socialist Cultural Community, forerunner of the Militant Association for German Culture (Kampfband für Deutsche Kultur) in 1927 and the Reich Organization for Early German History. Rosenberg was arrested by the Allies at the war's end in May 1945. He was one of the defendants in the Nuremburg Internatioanl Military Tribunal, Trial of Major German War Criminals. Rosenberg was found guilty on all four counts of the indictment for conspiracy to commit aggressive warfare, crimes against peace, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. He was sentenced to death and hanged on October 16, 1946.
- Reference
- For an expanded version of the English translation of this diary (containing biographies, additional documents, and explanatory text) see "The Political Diary of Alfred Rosenberg and the Onset of the Holocaust." Jürgen Matthäus and Frank Bajohr, eds. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2015; https://rowman.com/ISBN/9781442251687/
Physical Details
Rights & Restrictions
- Conditions on Access
- There are no known restrictions on access to this material.
- Conditions on Use
- Material(s) in this collection may be protected by copyright and/or related rights. You do not require further permission from the Museum to use this material. The user is solely responsible for making a determination as to if and how the material may be used.
Keywords & Subjects
- Personal Name
- Rosenberg, Alfred, 1893-1946.
Administrative Notes
- Holder of Originals
-
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
- Legal Status
- Permanent Collection
- Provenance
- Estate of Robert M.W. Kempner.
- Record last modified:
- 2023-08-25 08:27:43
- This page:
- https://collections.ushmm.org/search/catalog/irn73077
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Also in Robert M.W. Kempner collection
The collection consists of artifacts, correspondence, and documents relating to the experiences of Robert M.W. Kempner.
Date: 1935-1993
Office of Strategic Services (OSS) lapel pin
Object
Lapel pin offered to members of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) who received certificates commemorating their service in World War II.
Relic of Saint Edith Stein
Object
Devotional keepsake
Object
Devotional keepsake in the form of a red plastic heart with poem printed on front.
Robert M.W. and Ruth Benedicta Kempner papers
Document
The Robert M.W. and Ruth Benedicta Kempner papers consist of general correspondence, correspondence and legal documents related to the Nuremberg trials, selected publications, research material, and restitution case files documenting lawyer Robert Kempner and sociologist Ruth Benedicta Kempner. The collection includes Kempner’s correspondence and research files, Ruth Benedicta Kempner’s files, and records document Kempner’s law office. Records documenting Kempner’s work at the International Military Tribunal and at the subsequent tribunals include general correspondence, trial records, evidence indexes, prosecution and defense records, research files, and interrogation reports. The collection also includes photographs, scrapbooks, and sound and video recordings.
Envelope
Object
Envelope addressed, stamped, and postmarked. Is accompanied by original letter (2001.62.4a).
Medallion pouch
Object
Black leather pouch which opens at top by a flap; used to hold religious medallion (2001.62.6a)
Pouch
Object
Dark green plastic pouch which opens at top by a flap; used to hold religious image (2001.62.7a)
Envelope
Object
Envelope addressed, stamped, and postmarked. Is accompanied by original letter (2001.62.8a).
Envelope
Object
Envelope addressed, stamped, and postmarked. Is accompanied by original letter (2001.62.10a).
Envelope
Object
Partial piece of an envelope addressed, stamped, and postmarked. Is accompanied by original letter (2001.62.12a).
World War I Iron Cross medal
Object
Iron Cross medal and ribbon
Object
Medal
Object
Medal and ribbon
Object
Mother's Cross
Object
