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Valley City Today
By the People, for the People
Valley City Museum to Host Controversial Hitler Presentation
Historian Gilbert Kuipers to give "partial defense" of Adolf Hitler's actions on February 19th
Published on Feb. 14, 2026
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The Barnes County Historical Society Museum in Valley City, North Dakota will host a presentation on February 19th by historian Gilbert Kuipers titled "A Partial Defense of Adolf Hitler." Kuipers plans to argue that while Hitler's actions were universally condemned, his motivations were rooted in historical precedent set by other world powers' territorial expansion and conquest.
Why it matters
The presentation is likely to be controversial, as it appears to offer a defense of one of history's most notorious figures. However, the organizers argue it is an important exploration of the evolution of international law and the principle of "might makes right" that governed nations for centuries prior to the Nuremberg Trials.
The details
Kuipers' presentation will suggest that Hitler's logic drew heavily on historical precedent, arguing that Germany's quest for territorial expansion was simply following the example set by other world powers like Britain, France, Russia, and the United States. He will also discuss how the Nuremberg Trials marked a major turning point in international law, replacing the "might makes right" principle with the ideals of the Enlightenment.
- The presentation will be held on Thursday, February 19th at 7pm.
- The presentation is free and open to the public.
The players
Gilbert Kuipers
A historian who will be giving the presentation titled "A Partial Defense of Adolf Hitler" at the Barnes County Historical Society Museum.
Barnes County Historical Society Museum
The museum in downtown Valley City, North Dakota that is hosting the controversial presentation about Adolf Hitler.
What they’re saying
“Let's not worry which, if any, religion is the correct one, but suppose that after Adolf Hitler's death, his soul had been given a fair trial according to broad concepts of universal morality. What defense could it have had, and could that defense have succeeded?”
— Gilbert Kuipers, Historian (NewsDakota.com)
“The Nuremberg Trials marked a major turning point in the evolution of international law. For the first time, the principle of 'might makes right,' which had governed the conduct of nations for centuries, was replaced by the ideals of the Enlightenment.”
— Gilbert Kuipers, Historian (NewsDakota.com)
What’s next
The presentation about Adolf Hitler will be held on Thursday, February 19th at 7pm in the Barnes County Historical Society Museum in downtown Valley City. The presentation is free and open to the public.
The takeaway
This presentation highlights the ongoing debate around how to interpret and understand some of history's most controversial figures. While the organizers argue it is an important exploration of the evolution of international law, the content is likely to be seen as highly offensive by many in the community.
