Deutsche Völkerrechtswissenschaft im Nationalsozialismus

Proceeding from the work of international lawyer Alfred Verdross (1890–1980), this study examines international law at German and Austrian universities between 1933 and 1945. It provides a conceptual history: What was the contemporary understanding of the “Volk” and what impact did it have on the concept of the state in international law and the protection of minorities? Thus, the rejection of traditional perspectives and the intense German debate in international law will be highlighted. For the first time, this debate and how it allowed National Socialism to exploit international law are traced in detail by comparing Verdross's work with that of numerous other contemporary international lawyers.