How Could This Happen? Germany 1933–1945 – Book Presentation with Götz Aly

Why did so many Germans become enthusiastic supporters of Adolf Hitler and take part in an unprecedented war of annihilation and mass murder? Renowned historian and journalist Götz Aly explores this question in his newly published book “How Could This Happen? Germany 1933–1945.”

Amid a severe economic crisis, the NSDAP became by far the strongest party in the 1932 elections. Soon after, it was able to seize power and build on growing public support. Hitler needed war—while the population feared it. And yet, ultimately, 18 million German soldiers terrorized Europe. How did this come about? Why did hundreds of thousands participate in unprecedented mass murders?

In a gripping narrative, Götz Aly describes the methods of rule used by the Nazi leadership to turn millions of Germans into compliant enforcers or war-hardened accomplices—methods of which not a few are disturbingly relevant today.

We are therefore very pleased to welcome Götz Aly to the Schwarzkopf Foundation Young Europe on Tuesday, 20 January 2026, at 5:30 pm.

Götz Aly is a historian and journalist. He has worked for taz, the Berliner Zeitung, and as a visiting professor. His books have been translated into many languages. He received the Heinrich Mann Prize in 2002, the Marion Samuel Prize in 2003, and the Ludwig Börne Prize in 2012. Publications with S. Fischer include Why the Germans? Why the Jews? Equality, Envy, and Racial Hatred 1800–1933 (2011) and The Burdened: “Euthanasia” 1939–1945. A Social History (2013). In February 2017, his major study on the European history of antisemitism and the Holocaust, Europe Against the Jews 1880–1945, was published. For this book, he was awarded the Geschwister Scholl Prize in 2018.

We look forward very much to your participation and kindly ask for binding registration by 19 January 2026.