Ethnologie in der sowjetisch-besetzten Zone 1945–1948/49. Richard Thurnwald in Berlin und Julius Lips in Leipzig

Abstract

The ideologically contrasting occupation of two full professorships in ethnology in Berlin and Leipzig during the short phase of direct Soviet occupation in the context of the manifesting Cold War leads into a jungle-like interwoven academic landscape that has so far been little illuminated. This article explores the (science-)political constellations and contrasting interests that, from 1945 to 1949, favored both the unbroken Berlin career of jurist, ethnologist, and sociologist Richard Thurnwald (1869–1954), who had pandered to Nazi interests, and the re-migration from U.S. exile of Julius Lips to Leipzig (1895–1950), a jurist, ethnologist, and sociologist, who was committed to anti-fascism.