Alongside radical socioeconomic reform, the Soviets promoted political change by turning to the Germans themselves. Although the Soviets did not hesitate to imprison and otherwise punish Nazi leaders, “ordinary members of the party and so-called ‘fellow travelers’ were to be rehabilitated.” Whereas JCS 1067 “called not only for the prosecution of the leaders of national Socialism, but for a widespread purge of complicit individuals from public life,” denazification in the Soviet zone called for the “rehabilitation” of ordinary members of the Nazi party and fellow travelers, according to Olick.
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