After the end of the war, the Allies took measures to eliminate National Socialist ideologies in German society. Denazification, derived from the English term “denazification”, began in North Rhine-Westphalia in 1946. Part of the population - including many members of the civil service - had to fill out questionnaires about their political activities during the National Socialist era, in particular their membership of the NSDAP and affiliated organizations. So-called denazification committees assessed the severity of guilt in five categories: from “main culprits” to “exonerated”. Incriminated persons were removed from office, less incriminated persons were often able to remain in their jobs. There was criticism of the implementation and results of denazification, as the guilty were able to get away with it, among other things with character certificates, so-called “Persilscheine”.

The exhibition traces the development of denazification on the basis of the sources available in the North Rhine-Westphalia State Archives and presents the formal procedures; at the same time, biographical approaches reveal the extent to which the legal requirements could be circumvented on an individual basis. This juxtaposition provides an authentic view of an important chapter of the immediate post-war period in all its contradictions and refractions.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 6.30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The exhibition is located in the publicly accessible area.

Before the evening events, there is the opportunity to get to know the State Archives on a guided tour.

The tour starts one hour before the event in the foyer. Participation is free of charge; registration is not required. After the lectures, the Landesarchiv invites you to a drink.