# Baldur von Schirach

> German Nazi politician and convicted war criminal (1907-1974)

**Wikidata**: [Q76876](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q76876)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baldur_von_Schirach)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/baldur-von-schirach

## Summary

Baldur von Schirach was a German Nazi politician and convicted war criminal, known for his role as the leader of the Hitler Youth and his later governance of Vienna during the Nazi occupation of Austria. His actions significantly contributed to the Nazi regime's ideological indoctrination of youth and the persecution of Jewish populations in occupied territories.

## Biography

- Born: May 9, 1907, in Berlin, Germany  
- Nationality: German  
- Education: Studied at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich)  
- Known for: Leadership of the National Socialist Schoolchildren's League and the Hitler Youth; role in the Anschluss and Sudetenland annexations  
- Employer(s): Nazi Party, Sturmabteilung (SA), National Socialist Schoolchildren's League, Hitler Youth  
- Field(s): Politics, propaganda, youth organization leadership  

## Contributions

Baldur von Schirach played a central role in the National Socialist movement, particularly in shaping the ideological framework of Nazi youth engagement. His key contributions include:

- **Leadership of the National Socialist Schoolchildren's League (1927–1933)**: Von Schirach became a prominent figure in the early Nazi youth movement, helping to expand the League's influence among German schoolchildren and integrating Nazi ideology into educational settings.
- **Reichsleiter of the Hitler Youth (1933–1940)**: Appointed by Adolf Hitler, von Schirach led the Hitler Youth organization, which grew to over 8 million members by 1940. He was instrumental in using the organization to indoctrinate German youth with Nazi ideology.
- **Role in the Anschluss (1938)**: Von Schirach was a vocal supporter of the annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany and was awarded the Anschluss Medal for his efforts.
- **Governor of Vienna (1940–1945)**: Appointed by Hitler, he oversaw the Nazi administration of Vienna, during which time he was directly involved in the deportation of Austrian Jews to concentration camps.
- **Awarded the Sudetenland Medal (1938)**: Recognized for his contributions to the annexation of the Sudetenland, further cementing his role in Nazi territorial expansion.
- **Recipient of the Golden Party Badge**: Awarded for being among the first 100,000 members of the Nazi Party, highlighting his early and loyal involvement in the movement.
- **War Merit Cross 2nd Class without Swords**: Acknowledged for non-combatant contributions during World War II.

## FAQs

### What is Baldur von Schirach known for?

Baldur von Schirach is best known for his leadership of the Hitler Youth and his role in the Nazi regime's efforts to indoctrinate German youth. He also served as the Gauleiter of Vienna, where he was involved in the deportation of Jews to concentration camps.

### Where did Baldur von Schirach study?

He studied at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), a prestigious public university in Germany with a long academic history.

### What organizations was Baldur von Schirach affiliated with?

Von Schirach was a member of the Nazi Party and held leadership roles in the Sturmabteilung (SA), the National Socialist Schoolchildren's League, and the Hitler Youth. He also played a role in the Anschluss and Sudetenland annexations.

### What awards did Baldur von Schirach receive?

He received several Nazi-era medals, including the Anschluss Medal, the Sudetenland Medal, and the Golden Party Badge. He was also awarded the War Merit Cross 2nd Class without Swords.

### What was Baldur von Schirach's role during World War II?

During World War II, von Schirach served as the Gauleiter of Vienna, where he oversaw the Nazi administration and participated in the deportation of Austrian Jews. He was later convicted of war crimes at the Nuremberg Trials.

## Why They Matter

Baldur von Schirach's influence on Nazi Germany was significant, particularly in shaping the ideological landscape for the country's youth. As the leader of the Hitler Youth, he played a crucial role in the regime's efforts to secure long-term loyalty by targeting young Germans. His leadership helped institutionalize Nazi ideology in educational and extracurricular settings, ensuring a generation of supporters for the regime. His later role in Vienna further entrenched his legacy in the machinery of the Holocaust, as he was directly involved in the persecution and deportation of Jewish citizens. Von Schirach's actions contributed to the normalization of Nazi ideology and the perpetuation of its crimes, making him a key figure in understanding the social dynamics of the Third Reich.

## Notable For

- Leadership of the Hitler Youth, one of the largest youth organizations in Nazi Germany  
- Role in the Anschluss and Sudetenland annexations, earning him the Anschluss Medal and Sudetenland Medal  
- Early and prominent member of the Nazi Party, recipient of the Golden Party Badge  
- Conviction as a war criminal at the Nuremberg Trials for crimes against humanity  
- Governor of Vienna during the Nazi occupation, overseeing deportations of Jewish citizens  
- Involvement in the Sturmabteilung (SA), the Nazi Party's original paramilitary wing  
- Education at Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, a historic German university  

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Baldur Benedikt von Schirach was born on May 9, 1907, in Berlin, Germany. He was raised in a noble family with artistic inclinations, which led him to pursue early interests in literature and the arts. His education began in Germany, and he later attended the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (LMU Munich), one of the country's oldest and most prestigious universities. His academic pursuits were overshadowed by his early involvement in the National Socialist movement.

### Entry into the Nazi Movement

Von Schirach joined the Nazi Party in the late 1920s and quickly rose through its ranks. He became involved with the National Socialist Schoolchildren's League in 1927, where he worked to integrate Nazi ideology into youth education. By 1929, he had become a key figure in the organization, using his position to promote Nazi values among German youth.

### Leadership of the Hitler Youth

In 1933, von Schirach was appointed Reichsleiter of the Hitler Youth, a role that placed him at the head of one of the most influential youth organizations in Nazi Germany. Under his leadership, the Hitler Youth grew to over 8 million members by 1940. He was instrumental in shaping the organization's structure and curriculum to ensure that Nazi ideology was deeply embedded in the experiences of its members. His efforts were crucial in securing the loyalty of the younger generation to the Nazi regime.

### Role in the Anschluss and Sudetenland Annexations

Von Schirach was a vocal advocate for the Anschluss, the 1938 annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany. His support earned him the Anschluss Medal, recognizing his contributions to the unification. He was also awarded the Sudetenland Medal for his role in the 1938 annexation of the Sudetenland, further solidifying his position within the Nazi hierarchy.

### Governor of Vienna

In 1940, von Schirach was appointed Gauleiter of Vienna, where he oversaw the Nazi administration of the city. In this role, he was directly involved in the deportation of Austrian Jews to concentration camps, a key component of the Holocaust. His governance of Vienna was marked by his enforcement of Nazi policies and his role in the regime's genocidal actions.

### Awards and Recognition

Von Schirach received several honors from the Nazi regime, including the Golden Party Badge, awarded to the first 100,000 members of the Nazi Party. He was also awarded the War Merit Cross 2nd Class without Swords for non-combatant contributions during World War II. These awards underscored his loyalty and service to the Nazi cause.

### Conviction and Later Life

Following the end of World War II, von Schirach was arrested and tried at the Nuremberg Trials. He was convicted of crimes against humanity for his role in the deportation of Jews from Vienna. He was sentenced to 20 years in Spandau Prison, where he served his sentence until his release in 1966. He died on August 8, 1974, in Kröv, West Germany.

### Legacy

Baldur von Schirach's legacy is one of infamy. His contributions to the Nazi regime, particularly in youth indoctrination and the implementation of genocidal policies, left a lasting impact on history. His leadership roles in the Hitler Youth and as Gauleiter of Vienna exemplify his deep involvement in the machinery of the Holocaust. His life and actions remain a stark reminder of the dangers of ideological extremism and the consequences of unchecked power.

## References

1. [Source](https://nuremberg.law.harvard.edu/photographs/181-sc-218384-5?q=baldur+von+Schirach)
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25. [Source](https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/06/us/north-carolina-art-museum-says-it-will-return-painting-tied-to-nazi-theft.html)
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