How Political and Business Alliances Can Have Unintended Consequences

Throughout history, powerful business magnates and industrialists have played significant roles in shaping political events. In Nazi Germany, several oligarchs supported Adolf Hitler’s rise to power, believing that his policies would secure their economic interests. However, many of these figures later came to regret their support, realizing the devastating consequences of their alliance with the Nazi regime. This article explores key oligarchs who regretted backing Hitler and the reasons behind their change of heart.

1. Alfred Hugenberg (1865–1951)

Alfred Hugenberg, a powerful German businessman and politician, was instrumental in Hitler’s early rise to power. As a media mogul and leader of the German National People’s Party (DNVP), he helped legitimize the Nazi Party by forming a coalition with Hitler in 1933. Hugenberg believed he could control Hitler and use him to advance his nationalist and conservative agenda. However, once Hitler consolidated power, he sidelined Hugenberg and absorbed his party into the Nazi machine. Hugenberg’s influence quickly diminished, and he found himself politically irrelevant, regretting his role in facilitating Hitler’s dictatorship.

2. Fritz Thyssen (1873–1951)

Fritz Thyssen, the industrial magnate behind the Thyssen steel empire, was one of Hitler’s early financial backers. He saw Hitler as a bulwark against communism and labor unions, supporting him financially in the late 1920s and early 1930s. However, as the Nazi regime became increasingly totalitarian and aggressive, Thyssen became disillusioned. He opposed Hitler’s militarization and, after the invasion of Poland in 1939, fled Germany. Thyssen was later arrested by the Nazis and imprisoned in a concentration camp, a stark reminder of how those who enabled Hitler could also become his victims.

3. Emil Kirdorf (1847–1938)

Emil Kirdorf, a coal and steel magnate, was an ardent supporter of Hitler in the early years, helping to fund the Nazi Party’s activities. He saw Hitler as a means to suppress socialism and protect capitalist interests. However, Kirdorf was eventually disappointed by the Nazi economic policies, particularly those that exerted excessive control over private enterprise. He regretted his support when he realized that Hitler was not just suppressing socialism but was also imposing a centralized economic system that limited business autonomy.

4. Gustav Krupp (1870–1950)

The Krupp industrial dynasty was deeply entangled with the Nazi war machine, and Gustav Krupp personally backed Hitler, seeing him as a leader who would strengthen Germany’s military industry. However, as the war progressed, the massive devastation and economic ruin caused by Hitler’s policies became apparent. By the end of World War II, the Krupp empire was dismantled, and members of the family faced prosecution for war crimes. The destruction of his business and the moral weight of association with Hitler left Gustav Krupp with profound regret.

5. Karl Friedrich Goerdeler (1884–1945)

Karl Friedrich Goerdeler was a businessman and politician who initially supported Hitler’s rise but later became a key member of the anti-Nazi resistance. As the mayor of Leipzig and an advisor to German industries, he believed that Hitler would restore Germany’s economic strength. However, he soon became disillusioned by Hitler’s radical policies, suppression of freedoms, and militarization. Goerdeler became involved in the failed 1944 plot to assassinate Hitler, leading to his execution. His regret over supporting Hitler drove him to actively resist the regime.

6. Hjalmar Schacht (1877–1970)

Hjalmar Schacht, an economist and banker, played a critical role in Hitler’s early economic success, helping to stabilize the German economy in the 1930s. However, he grew increasingly critical of Hitler’s reckless spending and aggressive military expansion. By the late 1930s, he had distanced himself from the regime and was eventually arrested for his opposition. Schacht survived the war but deeply regretted his initial support, realizing that he had helped enable one of history’s most destructive leaders.

Conclusion

The stories of these oligarchs illustrate how political and business alliances can have unintended consequences. Many of these industrialists initially believed they could control or benefit from Hitler’s rule, only to find themselves powerless against his dictatorship. Their regrets serve as a historical lesson on the dangers of enabling authoritarian leaders. Supporting a political figure for short-term gains can lead to disastrous long-term consequences, both morally and materially. Will this happen to the billionaire tech bros who currently support the second Trump administration?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]