APRIL

April 7: Civil Service "Reform"

On April 7, Nazi Germany enacted its first anti-Jewish law-the Law for the Restoration of the Professional Civil Service. This statute authorized the dismissal of "non-Aryans", i.e. Jews, from government and public positions. It set forth the principle known as the "Aryan clause," which, in every practical sense, nullified the tenet of equal rights for all citizens and stipulated anti-Jewish legislation as but one level of the anti-Jewish policy. It created a model that was followed in a lengthy string of laws. On April 22, for example, the "Aryan clause" principle was applied to teachers’ unions, the pharmacists’ union, and doctors in the public health services. On April 25, it was extended to sports and track-and-field associations. On May 6, it was applied to tax advisors, and the next day all Jewish civilian employees of the army were dismissed. On June 2, the "Aryan clause" was extended to dentists and dental technicians in the public health services, and on July 23, to the national association of German writers. On November 7, the "Aryan clause" was applied at the national railroad company, this time including "Aryans" who were married to "non-Aryans" and targeting them, too, for dismissal. From November 13, only Aryans were allowed to serve as jurors, and on February 28, 1934, the "Aryan clause" was applied to the army itself. Thus, Jewish soldiers who until then had been immune from anti-Jewish.