The power of big business in the economy of the Third Reich remains one of the most important issues of that era. Drawing upon research, much of it in German corporate and government archives, Peter Hayes argues that IG Farben Chemicals, the largest corporation in Nazi Germany, proved consistently unable to influence national policy outside the narrow sphere of the firm's expertise. Indeed, as Hayes shows, the most infamous aspects of Nazi policy - the Third Reich's armaments and autarky drives during the 1930s, Germany's advance toward war, the pillaging of Europe, the exploitation of slave and conscript labor, and the persecution of the Jews - occurred despite IG Farben's advocacy of alternative courses of action. Nonetheless, Farben grew rich under the Nazi regime and was directly involved in some of its greatest crimes.

This book examines IG Farben Chemicals and the power of big business in the Third Reich economy.
Reviews
Critical acclaim for the first edition: 'This study is based on a remarkable command of the old and new sources. It is an important book that comes to sound, thoughtful, and depressing conclusions.' Gerald Feldman, University of California, Berkeley
'Professor Hayes had produced a pioneering study. Lucidly argued, well-written, it is an admirable re-assessment of the role of German capitalism under Hitler. He has brought this important historical debate back to life again.' R. J. Overy, King's College London



Book Information
ISBN 9780521786386
Author Peter Hayes
Format Paperback
Page Count 450
Imprint Cambridge University Press
Publisher Cambridge University Press
Weight(grams) 850g
Dimensions(mm) 230mm * 153mm * 25mm