Why did Max Planck remain in Germany during the Nazi period?

Max Planck chose to remain in Germany during the Nazi period primarily out of a sense of duty to preserve the integrity of German science. Holding positions of significant authority, including the presidency of the Kaiser Wilhelm Society, he felt a profound responsibility to protect the scientific community from the regime's destructive influence.

His commitment was rooted in his deep personal integrity and moral force. In a direct attempt to challenge the regime's actions, Planck famously approached Adolf Hitler to advocate against the government's devastating racial policies. By staying, he sought to mitigate the damage inflicted upon the academic landscape and maintain what he could of the nation's scientific tradition during a period of extreme political turmoil.1