Nazis Preferred: The Renazification of Western Germany by Moses Miller
1. Sewing Up German Steel
- Date: November 16, 1946
- LOIC (Level of Industry Committee): Formed by U.S., France, U.K., and Soviet Union post-WWII to monitor German industry.
- American Stance: General Clay ordered Americans not to discuss steel or chemicals in LOIC.
- Rufus J. Weiser: Former President of Republic Steel; heavily influenced U.S. policies on German steel.
2. Operation Rewer
- Dr. Heinrich Dinkelbach: Former Nazi supporter, director of major German steel combine, protected post-war.
- U.S. & U.K. Influence: With British and U.S. generals Clay and Robertson supporting previous Nazi industrialists like Dinkelbach.
3. It Depends on How You Look at It
- Standard Oil & IG Farben: Collaborated before and during WWII, aiding Nazi war efforts.
- U.S. Reaction: Shift from seeing this as treason to appointing former collaborators in post-war governance roles.
4. Bombs Away
- Strategic Bombing: Many German factories left untouched after Allied bombing.
- Influence: U.S. industrial interests had ties with German counterparts, influencing bombing targets.
5. It Pays to Have Friends
- IG Farben Trials: American judges and officials had ties with accused, resulting in lenient sentences or no arrest.
- Herman J. Abbs: Top Nazi banker, avoided prosecution, continued influencing German industry.
6. Old Reliables
- New German State: West Germany formed with leaders having Nazi affiliations.
- Dr. Konrad Adenauer: First premier with historical ties to pre-Nazi and Nazi-era industrialists.
7. Birth of the "New Order"
- Western Influence: American and British influence ensured control over West German governance.
- Occupation Statute: Retained control over foreign affairs and trade, limiting German autonomy.
8. Nazis Preferred
- U.S. Policy Shift: From de-Nazification to empowering former Nazis and industrialists for anti-communist purposes.
- Public Deception: U.S. claimed to enforce Potsdam agreements but failed to dismantle Nazi monopolies.
9. It is Only the Beginning
- Cold War Preparations: U.S. began to align with German industrial powers against Soviet influence.
- Media Control: Suppressed stories about U.S. corporations’ involvement with Nazi Germany.
10. Streamlining the Cold War
- Red Scare: Used to justify aggressive foreign policy and suppress domestic dissent.
- Corporate Interests: U.S. companies with Nazi ties received government contracts, while those exposing them were penalized.
11. Germans Against Nazism
- Resistance: Many Germans opposed the reestablishment of Nazi-influenced governance and actions.
- Worker Strikes: Demonstrations against lenient treatment of Nazis and poor conditions were met with resistance by U.S. authorities.
12. Phil Murray's "Short Memory"
- Labor Leaders: Formerly opposed to corporate dominance, some labor leaders supported anti-communist policies.
- Impact on Workers: U.S. economic policies in Germany affected American workers through wage depression and job losses.
13. "Socialists Whom the Bankers Love"
- Historical Parallels: Post-WWI social democratic leaders helped preserve capitalist power structures in Germany.
- Modern-Day: Similar dynamics with Social Democratic Party leaders maintaining status quo.
14. Building a New Germany
- Eastern vs. Western Germany: Eastern Germany pursued genuine de-Nazification and land reforms.
- Soviet Influence: Encouraged local governance and worker participation, contrasting with Western policies.
15. Blueprint for War
- Failed Promises: U.S. did not fulfill promises of a democratic Germany, allowing former Nazis to regain influence.
- Corporate Control: U.S. industrial interests shaped West German policies for economic gains.
16. Don't Sit This One Out
- Call to Action: Urges Americans to advocate for a democratic Germany free of Nazi influence.
- Public Engagement: Encourages participation in global peace efforts and awareness of corporate influence in foreign policy.
These notes summarize key points from the lecture on "Nazis Preferred: The Renazification of Western Germany" by Moses Miller, highlighting post-WWII political dynamics and influences on German industry and governance.