Arthur Seyss-Inquart: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Villain_Infobox | ||
[[ | |Image = Arthur Seyss-Inquart.jpg | ||
|fullname = Arthur Seyss-Inquart | |||
|alias = "Zes en een kwart" | |||
|origin =Stannern, Margraviate of Moravia, Austria-Hungary | |||
|occupation = ''Reichskommissar'' of the Netherlands (1940 - 1945)<br>Deputy Governor-General of the General Government of Occupied Poland (1939 - 1940) | |||
|type of villain = Nazi War Criminal | |||
|goals = Eradicate all Jews in the Netherlands (failed) | |||
|crimes = [[War crimes]]<br>[[Crimes against humanity]]<br>[[Genocide]]<br>[[Mass murder]]<br>[[Terrorism]]<br>[[Ethnic cleansing]]<br>Mass incarceration<br>Forced labor<br>[[Misogyny]]<br>[[Anti-Semitism]]<br> | |||
|hobby = | |||
}}{{Quote|The Jews are the enemy of National Socialism. From the time of their emancipation their methods were directed to the annihilation of the folkish and moral worth of the German people and to replace a national and responsible ideology with international nihilism. It was really they who stabbed the Army in the back which broke the resistance of the Germans in the First World War. The Jews are the enemy with whom no armistice or peace can be made. We will smite the Jews where we meet them and whoever goes along with them must take the consequences.|Arthur Seyss-Inquart}} | |||
'''Arthur Seyss-Inquart''' <small>(help·info)</small> (in German: '''Seyß-Inquart'''; 22 July 1892 – 16 October 1946) was an Austrian [[Nazi]] politician who served as Chancellor of Austria for two days – from 11 to 13 March 1938 – before the ''Anschluss'' annexation of Austria by Nazi Germany, signing the constitutional law as acting head of state upon the resignation of President Wilhelm Miklas. | |||
During [[World War II]], he served the Third Reich in the General Government of Poland and as ''Reichskommissar'' in the Netherlands, serving as a major perpetrator of [[the Holocaust]] in the Netherlands. At the Nuremberg trials, he was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. | |||
During World War II, he served the Third Reich in the General Government of Poland and as ''Reichskommissar'' in the Netherlands. At the Nuremberg trials, he was found guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced to death. | |||
== Life before the Anschluss == | == Life before the Anschluss == | ||
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Augusta Hirenbach. | Augusta Hirenbach. | ||
The family moved to Vienna in 1907. Seyss-Inquart later went to study law at the University of Vienna. At the beginning of World War I in August 1914 Seyss-Inquart enlisted with the Austrian Army and was given a commission with the Tyrolean ''Kaiserjäger'', subsequently serving in Russia, Romania and Italy. | The family moved to Vienna in 1907. Seyss-Inquart later went to study law at the University of Vienna. At the beginning of [[World War I]] in August 1914 Seyss-Inquart enlisted with the Austrian Army and was given a commission with the Tyrolean ''Kaiserjäger'', subsequently serving in Russia, Romania and Italy. | ||
<nowiki> </nowiki>He was decorated for bravery on a number of occasions and while | <nowiki> </nowiki>He was decorated for bravery on a number of occasions and while | ||
recovering from wounds in 1917 he completed his final examinations for | recovering from wounds in 1917 he completed his final examinations for | ||
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and other parts of Asia in hopes of proving Aryan racial concepts and | and other parts of Asia in hopes of proving Aryan racial concepts and | ||
theories. He was not initially a member of the Austrian National Socialist party, though he was sympathetic to many of their views and actions.<sup>[1]</sup> By 1938, however, Seyss-Inquart knew which way the political wind was blowing and became a respectable frontman for the Austrian National Socialists. | theories. He was not initially a member of the Austrian National Socialist party, though he was sympathetic to many of their views and actions.<sup>[1]</sup> By 1938, however, Seyss-Inquart knew which way the political wind was blowing and became a respectable frontman for the Austrian National Socialists. | ||
In February 1938, Seyss-Inquart was appointed Minister of the Interior by Schuschnigg, after [[Adolf Hitler]] | In February 1938, Seyss-Inquart was appointed Minister of the Interior by Schuschnigg, after [[Adolf Hitler]] | ||
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<nowiki> </nowiki>drafted the legislative act reducing Austria to a province of Germany | <nowiki> </nowiki>drafted the legislative act reducing Austria to a province of Germany | ||
and signed it into law on 13 March. With Hitler's approval he became | and signed it into law on 13 March. With Hitler's approval he became | ||
Governor (''Reichsstatthalter'') of the newly named Ostmark, with [[Ernst Kaltenbrunner]] his chief minister and [[Josef Burckel]] as Commissioner for the Reunion of Austria (concerned with the "Jewish Question"). Seyss-Inquart also received an honorary SS rank of Gruppenführer and in May 1939 he was made a Minister without portfolio in Hitler's cabinet. | Governor (''Reichsstatthalter'') of the newly named Ostmark, with [[Ernst Kaltenbrunner]] his chief minister and [[Josef Burckel]] as Commissioner for the Reunion of Austria (concerned with the "Jewish Question"). Seyss-Inquart also received an honorary ''[[Schutzstaffel|SS]]'' rank of Gruppenführer and in May 1939 he was made a Minister without portfolio in Hitler's cabinet. | ||
<nowiki> </nowiki>Almost as soon as he took office, he ordered the confiscation of Jewish | <nowiki> </nowiki>Almost as soon as he took office, he ordered the confiscation of Jewish | ||
<nowiki> </nowiki>property and sent Jews to concentration | <nowiki> </nowiki>property and sent Jews to [[concentration camp]]s. Late in his regime, he | ||
collaborated in the deportation of Jews from Austria. | collaborated in the deportation of Jews from Austria. | ||
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== Reichskommissar in the Netherlands == | == Reichskommissar in the Netherlands == | ||
Following the capitulation of the Low Countries Seyss-Inquart was appointed Reichskommissar for the Occupied Netherlands | Following the capitulation of the Low Countries Seyss-Inquart was appointed Reichskommissar for the Occupied Netherlands | ||
<nowiki> </nowiki>in May 1940, charged with directing the civil administration, with | <nowiki> </nowiki>in May 1940, charged with directing the civil administration, with | ||
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over 1,500, including the executions of people under the so-called | over 1,500, including the executions of people under the so-called | ||
"Hostage Law", the death of political prisoners who were close to being | "Hostage Law", the death of political prisoners who were close to being | ||
liberated, the Putten raid, and the reprisal executions of 117 Dutchmen for the attack on SS and Police Leader Hanns Albin Rauter. Although the majority of Seyss-Inquart's powers were transferred to the military commander in the Netherlands and the Gestapo in July 1944, he remained a force to be reckoned with. | liberated, the Putten raid, and the reprisal executions of 117 Dutchmen for the attack on SS and Police Leader Hanns Albin Rauter. Although the majority of Seyss-Inquart's powers were transferred to the military commander in the Netherlands and the [[Gestapo]] in July 1944, he remained a force to be reckoned with. | ||
There were two small concentration camps in the Netherlands – KZ Herzogenbusch near Vught, Kamp Amersfoort near Amersfoort, and Westerbork transit camp | There were two small concentration camps in the Netherlands – KZ Herzogenbusch near Vught, Kamp Amersfoort near Amersfoort, and Westerbork transit camp | ||
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commonly used nickname for Seyss-Inquart. The quarter also refers to his crippled leg | commonly used nickname for Seyss-Inquart. The quarter also refers to his crippled leg | ||
Seyss-Inquart was an unwavering anti-Semite: within a few months of his arrival in the Netherlands, | Seyss-Inquart was an unwavering [[Anti-Semitism|anti-Semite]]: within a few months of his arrival in the Netherlands, | ||
<nowiki> </nowiki>he took measures to remove Jews from the government, the press and | <nowiki> </nowiki>he took measures to remove Jews from the government, the press and | ||
leading positions in industry. Anti-Jewish measures intensified after | leading positions in industry. Anti-Jewish measures intensified after | ||
1941: approximately 140,000 Jews were registered, a 'ghetto' was created | 1941: approximately 140,000 Jews were registered, a 'ghetto' was created | ||
<nowiki> </nowiki>in Amsterdam and a transit camp was set up at Westerbork. Subsequently, in February 1941, 600 Jews were sent to Buchenwald and Mauthausen concentration camps. Later, the Dutch Jews were sent to Auschwitz. As Allied forces approached in September 1944, the remaining Jews at Westerbork were removed to Theresienstadt. Of 140,000 registered, only 30,000 Dutch Jews survived the war. | <nowiki> </nowiki>in Amsterdam and a transit camp was set up at Westerbork. Subsequently, in February 1941, 600 Jews were sent to Buchenwald and Mauthausen concentration camps. Later, the Dutch Jews were sent to [[Auschwitz Birkenau]]. As Allied forces approached in September 1944, the remaining Jews at Westerbork were removed to Theresienstadt. Of 140,000 registered, only 30,000 Dutch Jews survived the war. | ||
When the Allies advanced into the Netherlands in late 1944, the Nazi regime had attempted to enact a scorched earth policy, and some docks and harbours were destroyed. Seyss-Inquart, however, was in agreement with Armaments Minister Albert Speer | When the Allies advanced into the Netherlands in late 1944, the Nazi regime had attempted to enact a scorched earth policy, and some docks and harbours were destroyed. Seyss-Inquart, however, was in agreement with Armaments Minister Albert Speer | ||
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scorched earth orders.<sup>[2]</sup> At the very end of the "hunger winter" in April 1945, Seyss-Inquart was with difficulty persuaded by the Allies to allow airplanes to drop food for the hungry people of the occupied northwest of the country. Although he knew the war was lost, Seyss-Inquart did not want to surrender. This led General Walter Bedell Smith to snap: "''Well, in any case, you are going to be shot''". "''That leaves me cold''", Seyss-Inquart replied, to which Smith then retorted: "''It will''".<sup>[4]</sup> | scorched earth orders.<sup>[2]</sup> At the very end of the "hunger winter" in April 1945, Seyss-Inquart was with difficulty persuaded by the Allies to allow airplanes to drop food for the hungry people of the occupied northwest of the country. Although he knew the war was lost, Seyss-Inquart did not want to surrender. This led General Walter Bedell Smith to snap: "''Well, in any case, you are going to be shot''". "''That leaves me cold''", Seyss-Inquart replied, to which Smith then retorted: "''It will''".<sup>[4]</sup> | ||
Before Hitler committed suicide in April 1945, he named a new government headed by Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz in his last will and testament, in which Seyss-Inquart replaced Joachim von Ribbentrop, | Before Hitler committed suicide in April 1945, he named a new government headed by Grand Admiral [[Karl Dönitz]] in his last will and testament, in which Seyss-Inquart replaced [[Joachim von Ribbentrop]], | ||
<nowiki> </nowiki>who had long since fallen out of favour, as Foreign Minister. It was a | <nowiki> </nowiki>who had long since fallen out of favour, as Foreign Minister. It was a | ||
tribute to the high regard Hitler felt for his Austrian comrade, at a | tribute to the high regard Hitler felt for his Austrian comrade, at a | ||
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== Nuremberg trials == | == Nuremberg trials == | ||
At the Nuremberg trials, | At the Nuremberg trials, | ||
<nowiki> </nowiki>Seyss-Inquart was defended by Gustav Steinbauer and faced four charges: | <nowiki> </nowiki>Seyss-Inquart was defended by Gustav Steinbauer and faced four charges: | ||
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<nowiki> </nowiki>an American army psychologist, was allowed to examine the Nazi leaders | <nowiki> </nowiki>an American army psychologist, was allowed to examine the Nazi leaders | ||
who were tried at Nuremberg for war crimes. Among other tests, a German | who were tried at Nuremberg for war crimes. Among other tests, a German | ||
version of the Wechsler-Bellevue IQ test was administered. Arthur Seyss-Inquart scored 141, the second highest among the defendants, behind Hjalmar Schacht. | version of the Wechsler-Bellevue IQ test was administered. Arthur Seyss-Inquart scored 141, the second highest among the defendants, behind [[Hjalmar Schacht]]. | ||
Seyss-Inquart was acquitted of conspiracy, but convicted on all other | Seyss-Inquart was acquitted of conspiracy, but convicted on all other | ||
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[[Category:Villains of World War 2]] | [[Category:Villains of World War 2]] | ||
[[Category:European Villains]] | [[Category:European Villains]] | ||
[[Category:Genocidal]] | [[Category:Genocidal]] | ||
[[Category:Xenophobes]] | [[Category:Xenophobes]] | ||
[[Category:Austria]] | |||
[[Category:Anti-Semitic]] | |||
[[Category:Mass Murderers]] | |||
[[Category:Mongers]] | |||
[[Category:Destroyer of Innocence]] | |||
[[Category:Nazi Party Members]] | |||
[[Category:Military]] | |||
[[Category:Warlords]] | |||
[[Category:Terrorists]] | |||
[[Category:Xenophobes]] | |||
[[Category:Supremacists]] | |||
[[Category:Extremists]] | |||
[[Category:Oppressors]] | |||
[[Category:Conspirators]] | |||
[[Category:Liars]] | |||
[[Category:Delusional]] | |||
[[Category:Jingoists]] | |||
[[Category:Lawful Evil]] | |||
[[Category:Government support]] | |||
[[Category:Doctors and Scientists]] | |||
[[Category:Mastermind]] | |||
[[Category:Arrogant]] | |||
[[Category:Power Hungry]] | |||
[[Category:Sadists]] | |||
[[Category:Wrathful]] | |||
[[Category:Slaver]] | |||
[[Category:Control Freaks]] | |||
[[Category:Misanthropes]] | |||
[[Category:Misogynists]] | |||
[[Category:Early Modern Villains]] | |||