Fact Check: Deutsche Bank Financed Adolf Hitler's Nazi Regime
What We Know
Deutsche Bank has acknowledged its involvement in facilitating the Nazi regime's economic activities during the years 1933 to 1945. According to a comprehensive history commissioned by the bank itself, Deutsche Bank actively aided in the expropriation of Jewish businesses and supported the consolidation of Nazi power both domestically and in occupied territories (New York Times). The book, authored by historian Harold James, highlights the bank's internal correspondence and actions that contributed to the dispossession of Jewish assets and the bank's compliance with Nazi policies (New York Times).
The bank's role included mediating the transfer of Jewish-owned businesses to Aryan ownership, with estimates suggesting that it assisted in the forced transfer of approximately 330 companies (New York Times). Furthermore, Deutsche Bank's leadership displayed a mix of moral indignation and pragmatic concerns when Jewish members were forced to resign, indicating a complex relationship with the regime (New York Times).
Additionally, Deutsche Bank's involvement extended beyond Germany, as it sought to dominate banking operations in occupied countries, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, which further illustrates its alignment with Nazi economic goals (New York Times).
Analysis
The evidence supporting the claim that Deutsche Bank financed and aided Adolf Hitler's regime is substantial and well-documented. The bank's own commissioned history serves as a primary source, providing a detailed account of its actions during the Nazi era. The credibility of this source is strengthened by its independence and the fact that it was based on previously inaccessible archival materials, which were only made available after the reunification of Germany in 1990 (New York Times).
Moreover, the findings are corroborated by additional sources, such as a report from the Policy Innovation Hub, which states that Deutsche Bank's financial support was crucial for the Nazi regime's operations (Policy Innovation Hub). This aligns with historical analyses that emphasize the role of financial institutions in enabling totalitarian regimes, further underscoring the bank's complicity in Nazi policies (The Deutsche Bank and the Nazi Economic War).
While some sources, such as the Times of Israel, focus on the broader context of German banking during the Nazi era, they also confirm that Deutsche Bank was a significant player in facilitating the regime's economic strategies (Times of Israel).
The overall reliability of these sources is high, given their historical context and the rigorous academic scrutiny they have undergone. The acknowledgment by Deutsche Bank itself marks a significant step in confronting its past, which adds an additional layer of credibility to the claims.
Conclusion
The claim that Deutsche Bank financed Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime is True. The bank's own historical documentation, alongside corroborating reports from credible sources, confirms its active participation in the expropriation of Jewish businesses and its support for Nazi economic policies. This involvement not only highlights the bank's complicity but also reflects the broader role of financial institutions in supporting authoritarian regimes.