Kreisauer Kreis

Since 1940, men and women of opposing political views from different social classes, traditions, and value systems have been meeting in Berlin, the Silesian estate of Kreisau, and Munich. The driving force is the Friends Helmuth James Graf von Moltke of the Church and the Peter Graf Yorck von Wartenburg Christian and clergy of both denominations; Social Democrats, Conservatives, and Liberals thus develop common positions in mutual respect.

The aim of the „Kreisauer“ is to develop the outlines of a spiritual, political, and social reordering after the end of the „Third Reich.“ Through conferences, discussions, and writings, they prepare for „the time after.“ They want to establish human coexistence as well as the state on a new foundation. Questions of state building, the limitation of state power, the economy, the church, and education are fundamentally discussed. It is particularly important to them the integration of Germany into a European post-war order.

The Kreisau district can significantly influence the ideas of the opponents of the National Socialist state who decided to commit the crime. Some members of the district join the regime opponents who are planning an assassination attempt on Hitler. The „People’s Tribunal“ sentences many people from the Kreisau district to death for their involvement in the coup attempt of July 20, 1944. Only a few members of the Kreisau district can save their lives and later contribute to the post-war order.

© Memorial to the German Resistance