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How Nazi laws stymied German nuclear dreams

By Richard Webb

22 February 2012

See more: An illustrated version of this article will be published within the next two weeks on our CultureLab books and arts blog

FOR legislative acts of national intellectual suicide, the “Law for the restoration of the professional civil service”, passed by the Nazis shortly after their accession to power in Germany in 1933, stands without comparison. German science, then the envy of the world, was decapitated as those of non-Aryan descent or suspect political views were forced from the nation’s universities. Many sought refuge in friendlier – though not always friendly – countries such as the UK and US.

It is…

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