Compensation Claims of the Hohenzollern

Abstract

The article focuses on the debate over compensation from Brandenburg, sought by the current head of the House of Hohenzollern, Prince Georg Friedrich. The legal basis for these claims is the Compensation Act, which guaranteed adequate compensation to owners who had been subjected to expropriation by the Soviet Military Administration in Germany in 1945. In 1994, however, those who collaborated with National Socialist or Communist regimes or encouraged others to do so were excluded from this law. The key question is whether the then Crown Prince Wilhelm had significantly aided and abetted the Nazi regime. This would preclude compensation. The main sources are expert assessments commissioned by both parties to the dispute to be prepared by reputable specialists. The undisputed facts are presented on the one hand, and the controversial assessments are discussed on the other. In addition, the political and legal reappraisal of the dispute is also addressed. The proceedings allow conclusions to be drawn about the culture of expert witnesses in the Federal Republic of Germany and the working conditions of historians.