On 9th November 1918 Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the German crown and retired to Holland where he learnt Dutch and began a passion for archaeology. But during the rise of the Nazis hope was raised that he could once more stride the imperial stage arm in arm with Adolf Hitler. These hopes were taken on by his son the Crown Prince but these too were dashed, and then began an attempt to cleanse the Hohezollern name, a name that evoked names such as The Great Elector, Frederick William and Frederick the Great.

Joining today is the acclaimed historian Stephan Malinowski, the author of The Hohenzollerns and the Nazis and we discuss the German Royal Family’s opportunities, and opportunistic attempts, during the rise of the Third Reich, their involvement, or lack of, in the resistance, life after the war and what the Hohenzollern name means in Germany today.

Stephan Malinowski Links

The Hohenzollerns and the Nazis

Nazis and Nobles: The History of a Misalliance

Aspects of History Links

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