The German Invasion of Poland: Lecture and Discussion in Gelsenkirchen
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How the War Began and Occupation Rule Developed
On September 30, 2026, the Documentation Center Gelsenkirchen in National Socialism invites you to an in-depth lecture on the German invasion of Poland and the beginnings of German occupation rule. Dr. Markus Roth from Frankfurt am Main discusses the first weeks of World War II, connecting historical context with personal fates. A discussion is planned afterwards.
A Lecture on the First Weeks of World War II
87 years ago, Germany invaded Poland without a declaration of war. German soldiers advanced into Poland while SS men and German police murdered tens of thousands of people. The victims included Polish politicians, journalists, priests, judges, Jewish individuals, and numerous civilians.
The evening places these events into the political and military developments of 1939. The event focuses on the structures of violence that became visible in the very first weeks of the war and shows how closely military occupation, racist ideology, and systematic oppression were interconnected.
Individual Fates and Diaries Bring History to Life
Dr. Markus Roth illustrates the events through individual fates and diaries. This gives the historical analysis a personal perspective: Behind military decisions and political terms are people whose daily lives were marked by fear, violence, and disenfranchisement.
This form of historical communication creates an intense event experience. The audience's atmosphere thrives not on quick answers, but on focused listening, careful placement, and collective reflection on responsibility and memory culture.
Expert Knowledge on German Occupation Rule in Poland
Subsequently, the lecture provides an outlook on German occupation rule in Poland. The focus lies on racism, terror, and oppression, as well as the consequences for the Polish population. The event connects scientific expertise with an understandable target group address and is suitable for history enthusiasts, teachers, students, and anyone interested in the history of National Socialism.
Dr. Markus Roth is a research associate at the Fritz Bauer Institute and editor of Einsicht, the bulletin of the Fritz Bauer Institute. He studied German studies, Polish studies, and modern and contemporary history at the University of Münster. His scientific work deals, among other things, with the history of the German occupation in Poland and the memory of the crimes of National Socialism.
Discussion Afterwards
After the lecture, a discussion is planned. It offers space for questions, deepening perspectives, and exchanging views on historical responsibility. This makes the evening not only a means of knowledge transfer but also a forum for reflective engagement with German history and European memory culture.
Conclusion: Understanding History, Recognizing Responsibility
The lecture at the Documentation Center Gelsenkirchen in National Socialism promises a factual, intense, and scientifically grounded evening. Visitors experience an event that connects historical facts with human fates and sharpens the view on the beginnings of German occupation rule. Entry is free. Anyone seeking to better understand the history of World War II and the mechanisms of National Socialist violence finds here an important place of remembrance and discussion.
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