Book Burning and Nazi Germany

National History Day
Research Guide

Getting Started

Begin your research by brainstorming keywords - the words and phrases you’ll use to search for books, articles, websites, government documents, and other resources. These may include names of people and places or historical concepts like eras and movements. A librarian can suggest “subject headings” to find the most relevant resources.

Example Keywords & Catalog Subject Headings

"Nazi Germany" AND censorship
Book Burning
Nazi Germany, 1933-1945 -- Politics & government
HISTORY of book burning;
Libraries -- Destruction and pillage -- History -- 20th century.
Book burning -- History -- 20th century.
Censorship -- History.
Censorship -- Germany -- History -- 20th century.

Books/Print Resources at DPL

Burning the books : a history of the deliberate destruction of knowledge
Stolen words : the Nazi plunder of Jewish books
Free speech : a history from Socrates to social media

Database/Online Resources

Library databases are online collections of information, organized for research. Databases contain articles, eBooks, images, maps, primary sources and more. If you don’t have a library card, register online for immediate access to these resources. The following recommended databases are available on our Research and Teen Social Studies pages.

Explora High School (Ebsco)

Look up topic overviews, magazine and academic journal articles, facts and primary sources for research papers, class projects or homework. Get information from trustworthy sources that you can cite in your papers. Designed with students and educators in mind.

Available with library card

Visit Explora High School (Ebsco)
Sample Articles
Nazi book burnings.
CENSORSHIP THROUGHOUT HISTORY.
THE BATTLE OF BOOK BANS.
Burning Books

World History (Gale)

From the ancient world to today’s headlines. A chronicle of the great cultures and societies that have formed the history of the human race. Rare primary sources, reliable reference and multimedia content put this vast topic into context.

Available with library card

Visit World History (Gale)
Sample Articles
Joseph Goebbels
Berlin

CQ Researcher

In-depth analysis of topics in the news ranging from social and teen issues to environment, health, education, science and technology. Covers all sides of the issues. Great for school assignments and debate preparation. Video Tutorial

Available with library card

Visit CQ Researcher
Sample Articles
Free Speech on Campus
Politics and Education
Sample Articles
NAZI BOOK-BURNING FAILS TO STIR BERLIN: 40,000 Watch Students Fire Volumes in a Drizzle, but Show Little Enthusiasm. SOME 'FETES' POSTPONED But 'Un-German' Literature Is Consigned to the Flames in Most University Towns. BERLIN LUKEWARM TO BOOK-BURNING
Helen Keller Warns Germany's Students; Says Burning of Books Cannot Kill Ideas
NAZI FIRES TO GET 160 WRITERS' BOOKS: Helen Keller, Jack London and Judge Lindsey Are Among the Proscribed. MANY OF THEM MARXISTS Dr. Boas, New York Critic of Nordic Theory, Listed -- Students Act Wednesday.

Prospector: Materials from Other Colorado and Wyoming Libraries

​​As a Denver Public Library customer, you can also borrow materials from other libraries in Colorado and Wyoming. Use Prospector to request materials that DPL does not own.

Harmful and undesirable : book censorship in Nazi Germany / Guenter Lewy.
The Holocaust and the book : destruction and preservation / edited by Jonathan …

Internet Sources

Before using information you find on the internet for assignments and research, it is important to establish that the information comes from a reliable and appropriate source. The following websites, from government, academic and nonprofit organizations, have been evaluated for authority, accuracy, content and currency.

Contact the Reference Services department for help with your research project