Maximilian Scheer: Das deutsche Volk klagt an, Edition du Carrefour, Paris 1936, Titelblatt mit Stempel der Freiheitsbibliothek
Deutsches Exilarchiv 1933-1945 der Deutschen Nationalbibliothek, EB 61/193, © Laika Verlag
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April 1934
The writer Heinrich Mann is named president of the German PEN Club in Exile; the German Exile PEN is officially recognised at the 12th International Writers' Congress in Glasgow.April 1934
Germany, Austria and Italy lodge protests against an exhibition of caricatures held by the Manes artists' association in Prague.Works by the painter and graphic artist John Heartfield and other artists are then removed from the exhibition.10 May 1934
Lion Feuchtwanger, Heinrich Mann and other writers establish the German Freedom Library in Paris.Die Bibliothek, die auch „Bibliothek der verbrannten Bücher“ genannt wird, soll eine umfangreiche Dokumentation zum nationalsozialistischen Terror zusammentragen und in Deutschland verfemte Literatur aufnehmen. Ziel ist ein Braunbuch über Reichstagsbrand und Hitlerterror zu veröffentlichen.
Propaganda poster, with which Adolf Hitler announced the removal of Ernst Röhm from power, whom he had shot in Dachau concentration camp on 1 July 1934.Bundesarchiv, Plak 003-001-006, graphic designer: not stated30 June 1934
In the so-called "Röhm Putsch" Adolf Hitler has internal party enemies and conservative opponents murdered in order to secure his hold on power.
New Reichswehr soldiers taking an oath in the name of Adolf Hitler the new President of the ReichBundesarchiv, Bild 102-16107, photographer: Pahl, Georg2 August 1934
Death of Reich President Paul von HindenburgAdolf Hitler also assumes office as the head of state and has himself sworn in as commander-in-chief of the Reichswehr. With this, his seizure of power is absolute.
A staged national referendum confirms the merger of the offices of the Reich Chancellor and the President of the Reich.Bundesarchiv, Bild 102-03824A, photographer: Pahl, Georg19 August 1934
The offices of the Reich Chancellor and President are amalgamated. This completes the development of the totalitarian Nazi system of rule under the leadership of Adolf Hitler.
Front cover of the first issue of Klaus Mann's periodical Die Sammlung, September 1933courtesy of Frido Mann, © Rowohlt Verlag GmbHOctober 1934
The writer Klaus Mann establishes the exile journal Die Sammlung in Amsterdam in collaboration with André Gide, Aldous Huxley, Heinrich Mann and the Querido publishing house.The newspaper has a clear political leaning and opposes Nazism. It is therefore a particular object of hate among Nazis.25 November 1934
Controversy around the composer Paul HindemithIn a newspaper article, the conductor and composer Wilhelm Furtwängler publicly defends Paul Hindemith, who has increasingly come under attack from the Nazis. Propaganda Minister Joseph Goebbels reacts with a speech on 6 December 1934 in which he dismisses Hindemith as an “atonal noisemaker”.February 1935
The Gestapo confiscates 81 works by various painters and sculptors from the Hugo Perls auction house in Berlin.The art dismissed as “degenerate” is handed over to the National Gallery. Some works are selected as being of “historical value”, while the others are burned in the cellar of the Kronprinzenpalais on 20 May 1936.
Medical examination of recruits in June 1935Bundesarchiv, Bild 183-R43590, photographer: not stated16 March 1935
Adolf Hitler announces the reintroduction of compulsory military service and the expansion of the Wehrmacht to 580,000 men. This is a breach of Germany's obligations according to the Treaty of Versailles.