2nd decade: 1934 to 1943 — National Socialism and war

After seizing power in Germany in 1933, National Socialists took over leading positions in the trade fair company and brought Cologne’s trade fairs in line with their ideology. Propaganda events such as "The Brown Trade Fair – The German Week" and "The Eternal People – A Reich Exhibition" were held in the Rhineside Halls. During World War II the exhibition grounds were misused as a camp for Jews, Sinti, Roma, prisoners of war, and other groups who were persecuted by National Socialism. At times it was used as a satellite concentration camp.