Background
Klaus Hildebrand was born on November 18, 1941, in Bielefeld, Germany. He is a son of Ewald Hildebrand and Maria (Tausch) Hildebrand.
68131 Mannheim, Germany
In 1967, Klaus graduated from the University of Mannheim with Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Klaus Hildebrand was born on November 18, 1941, in Bielefeld, Germany. He is a son of Ewald Hildebrand and Maria (Tausch) Hildebrand.
Klaus Hildebrand studied at the University of Mannheim, graduating with Doctor of Philosophy degree in 1967. Some time later, in 1972, he attained Doctor Habilitatus degree at the same university.
In 1967, Klaus Hildebrand began his career as a research assistant at his alma mater, namely the University of Mannheim, a post he held till 1972, when he was appointed a Professor of modern History at Bielefeld University. In 1974, Klaus started to work as a Professor at Goethe University Frankfurt, where he remained until 1977.
During the period from 1977 till 1982, Klaus acted as a Professor at the University of Münster, and since 1982, he has been holding the position of a Professor of medieval and modern history at the University of Bonn.
Also, from 1982, Hildebrand acted as a member of the Commission for the History of Parliamentarianism and Political Parties (KGParl). In 1983, he was appointed a member of the Historical Commission of the Bavarian Academy of Sciences.
Despite the fact, that Hildebrand is a leading proponent of the totalitarianism school, who also rejects any notion of generic fascism as intellectually inadequate, he does believe, that the Third Reich was characterized by what he deems "authoritarian anarchy". However, Klaus believes, that the "authoritarian anarchy", caused by numerous competing bureaucracies, strengthened, not weakened Hitler's power.
Klaus claims, that the personality and role of Adolf Hitler was a crucial driving force behind the Final Solution (Nazi plan for the genocide of Jews during World War II). Also, Hildebrand claims, that there is nothing comparable to the Holocaust, committed by other fascist regimes and movements, which in Hildebrand's opinion disqualifies the notion of generic fascism. Klaus stated, that with regard to the "intensity of annihilation" policies, the Nazi regime is comparable to the Soviet regime and that in a wider viewpoint, the Holocaust was "singular", but was one in a sequences of genocides in the 20th century regime.
Klaus married Erika (Krebber) Hildebrand on May 14, 1976. Their marriage produced one child — Daniel.