Poster of a yes ballot for Hitler's election acquired by an American tourist

Identifier
irn43393
Language of Description
English
Alt. Identifiers
  • 2010.485.4
Level of Description
Item
Languages
  • German
Source
EHRI Partner

Extent and Medium

overall: Height: 11.625 inches (29.528 cm) | Width: 16.000 inches (40.64 cm)

Creator(s)

Biographical History

William (Bill) A. Nelson was born on August 16, 1916, in Phillipsburg, Kansas, to Dr. Enos A. and Constance Greiner Nelson. He had a younger brother, Theodore A., born in 1918. In 1933, William became involved in the American Youth Hostels (Hostelling International USA), a nonprofit organization created to promote understanding of different cultures among students. In June 1934, William traveled to Europe on the first AYH trip with a group of fifteen to twenty others. When the group reached the German border, an African American student was refused admittance to the country. They decided to split into two groups; one would continue into Germany and one would stay in France. William joined the group going into Germany. His mother’s relatives emigrated to the United States from Germany in the late 1800s. They were joined by young Germans who would act as guides. One was a member of the Hitler youth; he told William that he had no choice but to join. William was there during the August 19, 1934, referendum to approve Hitler as Fuhrer, the consolidation of President and Chancellor. Ninety percent of the population voted in favor of Hitler. After the results were announced, William and 3 other boys, including one German, rode their bicycles along the Rhine River and watched the celebrations. During World War II, William served as a US Army 1st lieutenant in occupied Japan. In March 1945, he married Ruth Kimball. After the war, he discovered that the young German he rode bicycles with had died on the Eastern front. William and Ruth worked and volunteered for AHY for many years, serving in several leadership positions. William passed away, age 93, on May 6, 2010, and Ruth passed away four days later, age 88.

Archival History

The poster was donated to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2010 by Judith Nelson, the daughter of William A. Nelson.

Acquisition

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection, Gift of Judith Nelson

Funding Note: The cataloging of this artifact has been supported by a grant from the Conference on Jewish Material Claims Against Germany.

Scope and Content

Small poster produced for the August 19, 1934, referendum to approve Hitler as Führer, the consolidation of President and Chancellor. It was acquired by 17 year old William A. Nelson, an American tourist traveling in Germany that month. Hitler assumed the role of Fuhrer on August 4, two days after the death of President Paul von Hindenburg. The vote was held to legitimize the position and solidify his dictatorial authority. Ninety percent of the population voted in favor of Hitler. After the results were announced, William rode his bicycle down the Rhine River and watched the celebrations.

Conditions Governing Access

No restrictions on access

Conditions Governing Reproduction

No restrictions on use

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Small newsprint poster with an offwhite background and German fraktur text. A black band with white text runs from the lower left to the upper right; on either side is a red circle with a white number 1 and a word. There are white sticker remnants, deep creases, and adhesive tape on the reverse.

People

Subjects

Genre

This description is derived directly from structured data provided to EHRI by a partner institution. This collection holding institution considers this description as an accurate reflection of the archival holdings to which it refers at the moment of data transfer.