Document
Dismissal letter from the Berlin transit authority
A letter written by the Berlin transit authority (Berliner Verkehrs Aktiengesellschaft) to Viktor Stern, informing him of his dismissal from his post with their agency as of September 20, 1933. This action was taken to comply with provisions of the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service.
On April 7, the German government issued the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service (Gesetz zur Wiederherstellung des Berufsbeamtentums), which excluded Jews and political opponents from all civil service positions.
Critical Thinking Questions
What can documents such as this one tell us about life in Berlin in the months following the Nazi rise to power?
Why are artifacts, documents, and photographs important historical evidence?
What questions does this letter raise for you?
Use the Museum's website and Collections to learn more about anti-Jewish legislation from 1933–1939.