The EI Podcast How the Nazis weaponised Charlemagne
Aug 14, 2025
Samuel Rubinstein, a historian specializing in ideological narratives, delves into the manipulation of Charlemagne's legacy by Nazi historiographers. He discusses how they transformed Charlemagne from a revered king into a controversial symbol to enhance Hitler's image. The conversation highlights the distortion and rebranding of historical figures in Nazi propaganda and the ongoing debates about Charlemagne's legacy in post-war Europe. Rubinstein also reflects on how these interpretations continue to influence contemporary historical perspectives.
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Sevres Plate Linking Hitler To Charlemagne
- A Sevres porcelain plate from occupied France pictured Charlemagne and linked him to Hitler in Latin inscription.
- Hitler gifted eighty plates to the SS Charlemagne division to cement a symbolic European lineage.
Debate Over Charlemagne's Identity
- Nazi intellectuals contested Charlemagne's legacy, recasting him either as Germanic hero or Saxon butcher.
- Alfred Rosenberg promoted Widukind as an anti-Charlemagne symbol, linking Widukind to Hitler's supposed triumph.
Historians Counter Rosenberg
- Academic historians pushed back against Rosenberg, defending Charlemagne as part of German heritage.
- Karl Hamper framed Rosenberg as the real cultural subversive, restoring older nationalist historiography.
