Social Studies: The Kristallnacht Plan

TO ALL REGIONAL AND SUB-REGIONAL GESTAPO OFFICES

sent at 1:20AM, November 8, 1938

SUBJECT: MEASURES AGAINST THE JEWS THIS NIGHT 

That only such measures were to be taken that would not endanger German lives or property (e.g. the burning of synagogues was only to be carried out if there was no danger of the fire spreading to the surrounding district).  Businesses and residences of Jews may be damaged but not looted. Particular care is to be paid in business sections and surrounding streets. Non-Jewish businesses are to be protected from damage under all circumstances. Police are to seize all archives from synagogues and offices of community organizations, this refers to the material of historical significance. Archives are to be handed over to the SS. As soon as possible, officials are to arrest as many Jews especially wealthy ones - in all districts as can be accommodated in existing cells. For the time being, only healthy male Jews of not too advanced age are to be arrested.

Signed by Reinhard Heydrich, SS Gruppenfürer

How does evidence in this document show that “Kristallnacht” was planned in advance of the event actually happening?

The evidence written in the document is very clear, which means it really was their motive to destroy Jewish properties. As evidence, the sentence says “Businesses and residences of Jews may be damaged…”, this means that Jewish business and their homes are indeed supposed to be damaged. 30,000 Jewish men were sent to concentration camps and this was planned to happen, evidence found that “officials are to arrest as many Jews especially wealthy ones - in all districts as can be accommodated in existing cells. For the time being, only healthy male Jews of not too advanced age are to be arrested. The wealthy Jews, however, were separated from the ordinary and healthy Jews, they were put in cells rather than concentration camps. These are some proof that “Kristallnacht” was planned before the attack.