After 1933 the Nazi regime purged the public school system of Jews and "politically unreliable" teachers. Those who remained in their posts joined the National Socialist Teachers League out of enthusiasm, opportunism, or for many, fear of losing their positions. By 1936, some 300,000 public school teachers—97 percent of the total—had joined the League. Teachers represented a disproportionate percentage of Nazi Party membership, larger than the population in general and higher than many other professional groups, but lower than physicians.
Bildarchiv Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Berlin / Art Resource, New York, Berlin / Art Resource, New York
