# Reichsuniversität Straßburg

> National Socialist university (1941–1944)

**Wikidata**: [Q540231](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q540231)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reichsuniversität_Straßburg)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/reichsuniversitat-straburg

## Summary
Reichsuniversität Straßburg was a National Socialist university established in Strasbourg in 1941 during the German occupation of Alsace. It operated for only three years before being dissolved in 1945. The institution was part of the Nazi regime's efforts to Germanize occupied territories through education.

## Key Facts
- Founded on November 23, 1941, in Strasbourg, Alsace
- Operated as a National Socialist university under Nazi Germany
- Had 902 students in 1941 and grew to 3,824 students by 1944
- Located in Gau Baden-Elsaß (Nazi administrative region)
- Dissolved on April 9, 1945, at the end of World War II
- Merged back into the University of Strasbourg after dissolution
- Known by multiple names including Reichsuniversität Strassburg and Reichsuniversität

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Reichsuniversität Straßburg?
A: The Reichsuniversität Straßburg was a National Socialist university established by Nazi Germany in Strasbourg in 1941. It operated during the German occupation of Alsace and was part of the regime's efforts to Germanize the region through education.

### Q: When was the Reichsuniversität Straßburg founded and dissolved?
A: The university was founded on November 23, 1941, and operated until April 9, 1945, when it was dissolved following Germany's defeat in World War II.

### Q: How many students attended the Reichsuniversität Straßburg?
A: The university had 902 students in 1941, its first year of operation, and grew to 3,824 students by 1944, its final year before dissolution.

## Why It Matters
The Reichsuniversität Straßburg represents a dark chapter in the history of higher education, serving as a tool of Nazi propaganda and cultural assimilation in occupied territories. Its establishment and operation demonstrate how totalitarian regimes can co-opt academic institutions to further political agendas and suppress local culture. The university's brief existence highlights the vulnerability of educational systems during wartime and occupation, and how knowledge can be weaponized for ideological purposes. Understanding this institution helps us recognize the importance of academic freedom and the dangers of politicizing education. The Reichsuniversität also serves as a reminder of the complex relationship between education, politics, and national identity, particularly in regions with contested borders and cultural tensions.

## Notable For
- Being the only National Socialist university established outside of Germany's pre-war borders
- Serving as a key institution in the Nazi regime's "Germanization" policy in Alsace
- Operating during one of the most tumultuous periods in European history (1941-1945)
- Having one of the most dramatic student population increases among wartime universities (from 902 to 3,824 in three years)
- Its complete dissolution and integration back into the University of Strasbourg after World War II

## Body
### Establishment and Purpose
The Reichsuniversität Straßburg was founded on November 23, 1941, by the Nazi regime as part of their occupation strategy in Alsace. The university was established to replace the existing Imperial University of Strasbourg and to serve as a tool for Germanizing the region. It was located in Strasbourg, which had been annexed by Nazi Germany and incorporated into the Gau Baden-Elsaß administrative region.

### Academic Structure and Growth
During its three years of operation, the university experienced significant growth in student enrollment. Starting with 902 students in 1941, the institution expanded to accommodate 3,824 students by 1944. This dramatic increase reflects both the Nazi policy of encouraging German students to study in occupied territories and the forced enrollment of local Alsatian students.

### Political Context and Ideology
The university was deeply embedded in National Socialist ideology. Its curriculum and research were oriented toward Nazi racial theories and the promotion of German culture. The institution served as a platform for indoctrinating students with Nazi ideology and conducting research that aligned with the regime's goals, including eugenics and racial anthropology.

### Dissolution and Legacy
The Reichsuniversität Straßburg was dissolved on April 9, 1945, as Allied forces liberated Strasbourg and the surrounding region. After the war, the institution was merged back into what became the modern University of Strasbourg. The legacy of the Reichsuniversität remains controversial, representing the politicization of education under totalitarian regimes and the challenges of rebuilding academic institutions after periods of ideological control.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. National Library of Israel Names and Subjects Authority File