Werner Heisenberg: Scientist or Nazi Scientist

The greater part of German scientists chose not to recognize National Socialism, yet it was those German scientists who also chose to continue to reside in Nazi Germany, finding life in Germany suitable for their lives and their careers. German scientists continued to exist and work in Nazi Germany, either avoiding the troubling actuality of the Third Reich or simply partaking in National Socialism as a "silent" member. Scientists that continued to live in Nazi Germany are looked upon in two different ways; either as scientists that were cooperative and allied themselves with the Nazi Regime or as scientists that opposed Nazi rule. Werner Heisenberg is the perfect example of a conflicted German scientist. Nazi or anti-Nazi? Many wondered exactly what Heisenberg's stance was and though there is no definite evidence regarding the stance of Heisenberg, it is nonetheless clear that Heisenberg had a strong relationship with the Nazi Regime.

Though it was well known that Werner Heisenberg was not an anti-semite, the Nazi Regime continued to allow Heisenberg to both practice his career as a scientist and his work as the goodwill ambassador for Germany. Heisenberg was attacked often while the Nazi Regime controlled Germany, in which he was referred to as a white Jew or a Jew in spirit. Threats made it hard for Heisenberg to practice his profession, but because the Third Reich viewed Heisenberg as useful, he was allowed to continue to practice science and travel as the goodwill ambassador for Germany.

So, was Werner Heisenberg a scientist or a Nazi scientist. I'd like to believe that Heisenberg wan't a Nazi scientist and that he was simply doing what he had to do in order to survive, but Heisenberg got caught up with all of the perks that came along with being useful to the Third Reich. The advancements that Heisenberg made as a German scientist were ultimately put to play in warfare and for that reason, Heisenberg had a hand in the genocide that took place in Nazi Germany. While Werner Heisenberg did not share the ideals of the Nazi's, he conformed and collaborated with the Nazi Regime to the point where Heisenberg became a Nazi scientist.