Because the Nazis considered theoretical physics and quantum mechanics too abstruse and "Jewish," they had replaced them years before with a more homegrown and homespun curriculum-the rudimentary Deutsche Physik-and as a result of the switch, half of the country's nuclear scientists had been relieved of, or driven from, their posts. A plethora of the continent's brightest lights had also taken flight. Not just Einstein, but Hans Bethe, Max Born, Erwin Schrödinger, Eugene Wigner, Otto Stern, Lise Meitner, Robert Frisch, Enrico Fermi, Edward Teller, Maria Goeppert-Mayer-the list went on and on.
The Nazis dismissed theoretical physics and quantum mechanics as overly complex and too closely linked to Jewish scholars. This led them to implement a simplified and nationalist version of physics known as Deutsche Physik. Consequently, many prominent scientists lost their positions or were forced to flee, significantly weakening Germany's scientific community during this period.
Many of the continent's leading scientific minds, including renowned figures like Einstein, Hans Bethe, and Erwin Schrödinger, were among those who sought refuge elsewhere. This exodus highlighted the devastating impact of the regime's policies on the scientific landscape, as a wealth of talent was driven away due to political and ideological persecution.
