User:Renata3/neumann

The trial of Neumann–Sass was a high-profile trial of pro-Nazi Germany activist from the Klaipėda Region (Memelland or Memel Territory) from July 1934 to March 1935. The trial is known after the two main defendants, veterinarian Ernst Neumann [de] and pastor Theodor von Sass. In total, the case had 123 defendants from pro-German parties, the Christian-Socialist Workers' Community (Christlich-Sozialistische Arbeitsgemeinschaft or CSA) and the Socialist People's Community (Sozialistische Volksgemeinschaft or SOVOG). They were charged with plotting, with help from the NSDAP, a coup against Lithuania to reunite Klaipėda Region with Nazi Germany. 87 people were convicted and four received death sentences for murder. However, all sentences were commuted and the last prisoners were released by the end of 1938. The trial caused a major break in the Germany–Lithuania relations and led to German boycott of Lithuanian imports, mainly agricultural products. It was a significant economic setback for Lithuania still recovering from the Great Depression and caused unrest among the farmers that grew into the strikes of 1935–36 in Suvalkija. Lithuania lost the Klaipėda Region as a result of the German ultimatum of March 1939. Nevertheless, it was the first trial of Nazi activist and the first attempt to curb their activities. It was not a trial of Nazi ideology, but a trial of their anti-Lithuanian activities.

Background

Klaipėda Region (Memelland) was detached from East Prussia by the Treaty of Versailles and turned into a mandate of the League of Nations. The region had a significant population of Lithuanian-speaking Prussian Lithuanians. As it seemed that the Conference of Ambassadors would leave the region as a free city, similar to the Free City of Danzig, Lithuanians staged the Klaipėda Revolt and captured the region in January 1923. The fait accompli was internationally accepted and the region became an autonomous part of Lithuania. The region had its own democratically elected parliament (Klaipėda Diet) and appointed executive branch (Klaipėda Directorate). Despite the Lithuanian efforts, the inhabitants displayed pro-German attitudes and voted for German parties in the local elections creating a constant friction with Lithuanian authorities. Local tensions reflected growing tensions between Lithuania and Germany, which became increasingly revisionist after the death of Foreign Minister Gustav Stresemann in 1929.