The Kreisau Circle was a clandestine intellectual
and political salon hosted and led by conspirator Count
Helmuth von Moltke, the descendant of Germany's legendary 19th century
strategist. The gathering was so named because its members frequently
met at von Moltke's Kreisau estate.
A number of academic and political topics were often
discussed here such as history, literature, and the concept of better
government. But the Kreisau Circle's most important achievement vis
a vis the conspiracy to overthrow Hitler was in the contribution of it's members to planning the new German state
that would come to power after a coup had overthrown the Nazi regime.
The illustrious personalities of the Kreisau Circle
shared many academic interests but also held diverse political views
on how to structure the new German state. Conservative, liberal, and
socialist outlooks jockeyed for influence. But all were agreed on the
dire necessity to destroy Hitler and the Nazi regime as soon as possible
in order to save Germany and Europe.