Otto Lenz
Encyclopedia
Otto Lenz was a German
politician
(CDU
), serving from 1951 – 1953 as Head of the Chancellery
and from 1953 until his death as a member of the German Bundestag
. He was also a signatory of the founding declaration of the CDU.
, Lenz began studying law
at the University of Freiburg
. He completed his studies at the University of Marburg in 1924, receiving his doctorate
in 1925 with a dissertation entitled ‘’Die Haftung bei Gattungsschulden in § 279 BGB’’ (‘’The Liability of Generic Debt in § 279 BGB’’). After passing the Staatsexamen
, Lenz joined the Administration of Justice and quickly began working in Germany’s Federal Ministry of Justice
. He became director of the Ministry’s press office in 1929 and served in this office for four years, during which he experienced considerable success in developing a strong relationship with the German press. In 1932 he began working as the personal advisor of state secretary Heinrich Hölscher.
in January 1933, Lenz’s title was changed to Advisor of Commercial Law in the Reichsjustizamt
. One year later, in April 1934, he was promoted to the position of ’’Landgerichtsdirektor’’
despite the protest of the National Socialist lawyer’s association. His first act of defiance to the Nazi-Regime occurred in 1938, when he refused a job transfer due to his unwillingness to work as a judge in the Nazi legal system. He worked instead as a lawyer during this time, being admitted only with serious difficulty to the Kammergericht
.
As an opponent of the Nazi’s Lenz belonged to the ‘’Donnerstagsgesellschaft’’ (‘’Thursday Association’’), a circle of former Centre Party
members, officials, and journalists. He participated in the opposition by at one point hiding resistance fighter Ernst von Harnack
in his apartment, as well as maintaining contact with 20 July plot-conspirators Josef Wirmer
and Carl Goerdeler. As a result of these relationships Lenz was arrested after the failed assassination plot and brought to court in January 1945 for his participation in the conspiracy as well as the suspicious nature of his work as a lawyer throughout the early 1940’s, during which time he was seen by the Gestapo
as a defender of Jews. His role as the defendant of the pardoned opposition leader Josef Müller in 1944 was a further source of irritation to the Nazis. Due to his success as his own defence lawyer, Lenz was able to avoid execution and was sentenced instead to four years penitentiary with eight years without civil rights. He was freed by Soviet forces on 28 April 1945.
in Berlin
. His desire for an interdenominational political party held together by common Christian beliefs preceded the conclusion of the war and is present in journal entries from his time in prison.
Lenz’s longing to become a lawyer in Munich
caused him to hesitate in accepting Konrad Adenauer
’s 1946 offer to become Secretary of State
, which he ultimately accepted and began serving as on 15 January 1951. During this time Lenz remained extremely busy meeting with politicians, diplomats, church representatives, businessmen, lobbyists, and journalists as well as helping establish the direction in which the young Federal Republic of Germany would take itself.
His desire to create a “Ministry of Information” after the 1953 elections (in which he was elected to the Bundestag
) ultimately failed due to the strong legacy of the ’’Propagandaministerium’’
of the Nazi-Era. His desire to be voice in the public sphere led to the establishment of Die Politische Meinung, a monthly publication which continues to be distributed by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung today.
On 2 May 1957, while still a member of the Bundestag, Lenz died unexpectedly in Naples
after developing a fever on a return trip from Africa
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
(CDU
Christian Democratic Union
Christian Democratic Union may refer to:* Christian Democratic Union * Christian Democratic Union * Christian Democratic Union * Christian Democratic Union * Christian Democratic Union...
), serving from 1951 – 1953 as Head of the Chancellery
German Chancellery
The German Chancellery is a federal agency serving the executive office of the Chancellor, the head of the German federal government. The chief of the Chancellery holds the rank of either a Secretary of State or a Federal Minister ...
and from 1953 until his death as a member of the German Bundestag
Bundestag
The Bundestag is a federal legislative body in Germany. In practice Germany is governed by a bicameral legislature, of which the Bundestag serves as the lower house and the Bundesrat the upper house. The Bundestag is established by the German Basic Law of 1949, as the successor to the earlier...
. He was also a signatory of the founding declaration of the CDU.
Early Life and Legal Career
After completing his AbiturAbitur
Abitur is a designation used in Germany, Finland and Estonia for final exams that pupils take at the end of their secondary education, usually after 12 or 13 years of schooling, see also for Germany Abitur after twelve years.The Zeugnis der Allgemeinen Hochschulreife, often referred to as...
, Lenz began studying law
Law
Law is a system of rules and guidelines which are enforced through social institutions to govern behavior, wherever possible. It shapes politics, economics and society in numerous ways and serves as a social mediator of relations between people. Contract law regulates everything from buying a bus...
at the University of Freiburg
University of Freiburg
The University of Freiburg , sometimes referred to in English as the Albert Ludwig University of Freiburg, is a public research university located in Freiburg im Breisgau, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.The university was founded in 1457 by the Habsburg dynasty as the...
. He completed his studies at the University of Marburg in 1924, receiving his doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in 1925 with a dissertation entitled ‘’Die Haftung bei Gattungsschulden in § 279 BGB’’ (‘’The Liability of Generic Debt in § 279 BGB’’). After passing the Staatsexamen
Staatsexamen
The ' is a German government licensing examination that future doctors, teachers, pharmacists, food chemists and jurists have to pass to be allowed to work in their profession. The examination is generally organized by government examination agencies which are under the authority of the...
, Lenz joined the Administration of Justice and quickly began working in Germany’s Federal Ministry of Justice
Federal Ministry of Justice (Germany)
The Federal Ministry of Justice is a federal ministry in Germany.Under the federal system of Germany, individual states are most responsible for the administration of justice and the application of penalties. The Federal Ministry of Justice devotes itself to creating and changing law in the...
. He became director of the Ministry’s press office in 1929 and served in this office for four years, during which he experienced considerable success in developing a strong relationship with the German press. In 1932 he began working as the personal advisor of state secretary Heinrich Hölscher.
Nazi-Era
After the MachtergreifungMachtergreifung
Machtergreifung is a German word meaning "seizure of power". It is normally used specifically to refer to the Nazi takeover of power in the democratic Weimar Republic on 30 January 1933, the day Hitler was sworn in as Chancellor of Germany, turning it into the Nazi German dictatorship.-Term:The...
in January 1933, Lenz’s title was changed to Advisor of Commercial Law in the Reichsjustizamt
Reichsjustizamt
Reichsjustizamt, which in German means "office for national justice", was the highest authority of the law in the German empire, and was the predecessor of Reichsministerium der Justiz, the Reich Ministry of Justice....
. One year later, in April 1934, he was promoted to the position of ’’Landgerichtsdirektor’’
Judiciary of Germany
The Judiciary of Germany is based on the concept of the , in which the exercise of governmental power is constrained by law. Federal law delineates the structure of the judiciary, but the administration of most courts is regulated by the states of Germany which are responsible for the lower levels...
despite the protest of the National Socialist lawyer’s association. His first act of defiance to the Nazi-Regime occurred in 1938, when he refused a job transfer due to his unwillingness to work as a judge in the Nazi legal system. He worked instead as a lawyer during this time, being admitted only with serious difficulty to the Kammergericht
Kammergericht
The Kammergericht is the Oberlandesgericht for the state of Berlin. Its name differs from Germany's other state courts for historic reasons. There are no other courts called Kammergericht in Germany.-Overview:...
.
As an opponent of the Nazi’s Lenz belonged to the ‘’Donnerstagsgesellschaft’’ (‘’Thursday Association’’), a circle of former Centre Party
Centre Party (Germany)
The German Centre Party was a Catholic political party in Germany during the Kaiserreich and the Weimar Republic. Formed in 1870, it battled the Kulturkampf which the Prussian government launched to reduce the power of the Catholic Church...
members, officials, and journalists. He participated in the opposition by at one point hiding resistance fighter Ernst von Harnack
Ernst von Harnack
Ernst Wolf Alexander Oskar Harnack , granted the title von Harnack in 1914, was an official of the Prussian provincial government, a German politician, and a resistance fighter...
in his apartment, as well as maintaining contact with 20 July plot-conspirators Josef Wirmer
Josef Wirmer
Josef Wirmer was a German jurist and resistance fighter against the Nazi régime.- Life :Born in Paderborn, Josef Wirmer was from a Catholic family of teachers. His father was a Gymnasium headmaster. After his Abitur in Warburg he studied law in Freiburg and Berlin...
and Carl Goerdeler. As a result of these relationships Lenz was arrested after the failed assassination plot and brought to court in January 1945 for his participation in the conspiracy as well as the suspicious nature of his work as a lawyer throughout the early 1940’s, during which time he was seen by the Gestapo
Gestapo
The Gestapo was the official secret police of Nazi Germany. Beginning on 20 April 1934, it was under the administration of the SS leader Heinrich Himmler in his position as Chief of German Police...
as a defender of Jews. His role as the defendant of the pardoned opposition leader Josef Müller in 1944 was a further source of irritation to the Nazis. Due to his success as his own defence lawyer, Lenz was able to avoid execution and was sentenced instead to four years penitentiary with eight years without civil rights. He was freed by Soviet forces on 28 April 1945.
Politics
Immediately after his release from prison Lenz took part in the establishment of the CDUChristian Democratic Union
Christian Democratic Union may refer to:* Christian Democratic Union * Christian Democratic Union * Christian Democratic Union * Christian Democratic Union * Christian Democratic Union...
in Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. His desire for an interdenominational political party held together by common Christian beliefs preceded the conclusion of the war and is present in journal entries from his time in prison.
Lenz’s longing to become a lawyer in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
caused him to hesitate in accepting Konrad Adenauer
Konrad Adenauer
Konrad Hermann Joseph Adenauer was a German statesman. He was the chancellor of the West Germany from 1949 to 1963. He is widely recognised as a person who led his country from the ruins of World War II to a powerful and prosperous nation that had forged close relations with old enemies France,...
’s 1946 offer to become Secretary of State
Secretary of State
Secretary of State or State Secretary is a commonly used title for a senior or mid-level post in governments around the world. The role varies between countries, and in some cases there are multiple Secretaries of State in the Government....
, which he ultimately accepted and began serving as on 15 January 1951. During this time Lenz remained extremely busy meeting with politicians, diplomats, church representatives, businessmen, lobbyists, and journalists as well as helping establish the direction in which the young Federal Republic of Germany would take itself.
His desire to create a “Ministry of Information” after the 1953 elections (in which he was elected to the Bundestag
Bundestag
The Bundestag is a federal legislative body in Germany. In practice Germany is governed by a bicameral legislature, of which the Bundestag serves as the lower house and the Bundesrat the upper house. The Bundestag is established by the German Basic Law of 1949, as the successor to the earlier...
) ultimately failed due to the strong legacy of the ’’Propagandaministerium’’
Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
The Reich Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda was Nazi Germany's ministry that enforced Nazi Party ideology in Germany and regulated its culture and society. Founded on March 13, 1933, by Adolf Hitler's new National Socialist government, the Ministry was headed by Dr...
of the Nazi-Era. His desire to be voice in the public sphere led to the establishment of Die Politische Meinung, a monthly publication which continues to be distributed by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung today.
On 2 May 1957, while still a member of the Bundestag, Lenz died unexpectedly in Naples
Naples
Naples is a city in Southern Italy, situated on the country's west coast by the Gulf of Naples. Lying between two notable volcanic regions, Mount Vesuvius and the Phlegraean Fields, it is the capital of the region of Campania and of the province of Naples...
after developing a fever on a return trip from Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
.
Further Reading
- Buchstab, Günter (2004). "Otto Lenz." Christliche Demokraten gegen Hitler: Aus Verfolgung und Widerstand zur Union. Ed. Buchstab, Günter; Kaff, Brigitte; Kleinmann, Hans-Otto. Freiburg, Germany: Herder, 2004. p. 344-352. Print. ISBN: 978-3451208058