It was adopted by Nazi Germany to justify the punishment of kin (relatives, spouse) for the offence of a family member. Punishment often involved imprisonment and execution, and was applied to relatives of the conspirators of the failed  1944 bomb plot to assassinate Hitler.
It was embraced by Nazi Germany to rationalize the punishment of kin (relatives, spouse) for the offense of a family member. Punishment frequently included imprisonment and execution, and was applied to relatives of those who attempted to assassinate Hitler in 1944.