Reichsstraße (Deutsches Reich)

A Reichsstraße (plural: Reichsstraßen) was a national highway in Germany during the period of the German Reich, primarily the Weimar Republic and Nazi Germany (1919-1945). The term literally translates to "Reich Road" or "Imperial Road."

The Reichsstraßen network was a centrally planned and managed system of paved roads intended to connect major cities and regions within Germany. It was a significant infrastructure project aimed at improving transportation and facilitating economic development. Prior to the Weimar Republic, various states controlled their own road networks. The introduction of the Reichsstraßen was intended to create a unified, nationwide system under the control of the central government.

Following the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, the development of the Reichsstraßen was accelerated, with a focus on strategic and military considerations. The Autobahn system, officially known as Reichsautobahn, was a key component of this expansion, designed to allow for rapid troop and material movements.

While the term Reichsstraße itself refers to the national highway system, it is often associated with the Nazi era due to the extensive construction undertaken during that time. After World War II, the term Bundesstraße (Federal Road) replaced Reichsstraße in West Germany, reflecting the establishment of a new federal republic. In East Germany, the term Fernverkehrsstraße (long-distance traffic road) was used, which later became Bundesstraße after German reunification. Many of the routes designated as Reichsstraßen still exist today as part of the modern German road network, albeit often upgraded and renumbered as Bundesstraßen.