Rudolf Hess: Difference between revisions
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After the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_Seizure_of_Power Nazi Seizure of Power] in 1933, Hess was appointed Deputy Führer of the NSDAP and received a post in Hitler's cabinet. In addition to appearing on Hitler's behalf at speaking engagements and rallies, Hess signed into law much of the legislation, including the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_Laws Nuremberg Laws] of 1935, that stripped the Jews of Germany of their rights in the lead-up to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust the Holocaust]. | After the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazi_Seizure_of_Power Nazi Seizure of Power] in 1933, Hess was appointed Deputy Führer of the NSDAP and received a post in Hitler's cabinet. In addition to appearing on Hitler's behalf at speaking engagements and rallies, Hess signed into law much of the legislation, including the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuremberg_Laws Nuremberg Laws] of 1935, that stripped the Jews of Germany of their rights in the lead-up to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Holocaust the Holocaust]. | ||
Hess continued to be interested in aviation, learning to fly the more advanced aircraft that were coming into development at the start of World War II. On 10 May 1941 he undertook a solo flight to Scotland, where he hoped to arrange peace talks with | Hess continued to be interested in aviation, learning to fly the more advanced aircraft that were coming into development at the start of World War II. On 10 May 1941 he undertook a solo flight to Scotland, where he hoped to arrange peace talks with Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, 14th Duke of Hamilton, whom he believed was prominent in opposition to the British government. Hess was immediately arrested on his arrival and was held in British custody until the end of the war, when he was returned to Germany to stand trial in the Nuremberg Trials of major war criminals in 1946. Throughout much of the trial, he claimed to be suffering from amnesia, but later admitted this was a ruse. Hess was convicted of crimes against peace and conspiracy with other German leaders to commit crimes and was transferred to Spandau Prison in 1947, where he served a life sentence. Repeated attempts by family members and prominent politicians to win him early release were blocked by the Soviet Union, and he committed suicide, still in custody in Spandau, in 1987 at the age of 93. | ||
[[Category:List|Rudolf Hess]] | [[Category:List|Rudolf Hess]] | ||
[[Category:Nazis|Rudolf Hezz]] | [[Category:Nazis|Rudolf Hezz]] |