»Work for our Colonial Future« – the National Socialist Colonial Sciences

Abstract

The German colonial plans concerning Africa in the era of National Socialism attached a central role to the sciences. Scientists in various fields launched into activities. Especially subjects that were directly related to the practice of colonial policies, e.g. African languages, ethnology, law, economic sciences, and medicine, were developed. There were colonial ambitions at nearly every German university, but only one was designated to become the centre of colonial sciences: the University of Hamburg. Most of the colonial scientists were members of the colonial movement or had been to Africa before. They were not fully aware of the fact that their colonial ambitions were in conflict with the regime’s prevailing orientation towards an expansion in the East, and belonged to those who intended to »do work in advance for the Führer«. In this respect, they took the initiative, were highly politicized and often one step ahead of the regime’s policies.