Publication of Germany Must Perish! by Theodore Kaufman

Publication of *Germany Must Perish!* by Theodore Kaufman

On February 28, 1941, American author Theodore N. Kaufman self‑published a book titled *Germany Must Perish!* through the Argyle Press in Newark, New Jersey. The 104‑page book outlined Kaufman’s proposals for ending World War II by advocating for the forced sterilization of the German population and the territorial dismemberment of Germany following an Allied victory. Kaufman founded Argyle Press specifically to release this work, which did not achieve widespread distribution in the United States beyond initial print runs.

Kaufman argued that the removal of the German people’s ability to reproduce, coupled with the redistribution of German territory to neighboring states, would eliminate what he described as “Germanism” and ensure lasting peace. The book’s title and content explicitly called for the nation’s eradication. Kaufman’s proposals were never adopted by the U.S. government or Allied policy makers, and the forced sterilization plan was never implemented.

Despite its limited influence in the United States, the book became a propaganda tool for Nazi Germany. Joseph Goebbels, the Reich Minister of Propaganda, highlighted Kaufman’s work in German media, radio broadcasts, and pamphlets to argue that Jews and their supposed allies sought the destruction of Germany. Nazi propaganda distributed summaries and excerpts, and in some cases referenced the book to justify anti‑Jewish measures, including the persecution of Jews in Nazi‑controlled territories during World War II.