Nazism

Nazism

Major corporations in Germany benefited during the Nazi regime. Especially in the first few years of the Nazi regime, Hitler believed that automobile production was the key to reviving German industry (much as it had become the cornerstone of American industry). Companies like BMW profited under the Nazi regime. BMW actually stands for Bavarian Motor Works, it was founded in 1916 producing airplane engines for the German air force. This origin can be seen in the BMW emblem which is actually a plane propeller spinning against the blue sky. After the Treat of Versailles was signed in 1919, a stipulation of the treaty made it illegalto produce airplane engines in Germany for five years. The company switched to making motorcycles and cars, part of the reason why BMW’s are so powerful is because they started off by taking stripped down airplane engines and putting them in cars and motorcycles. After 1924 they were allowed to resume making engines. During the Nazi era after 1933, production of airplanes increased dramatically. The No. 2 person in the Nazi regime was Hermann Göring, the head of the Air Force (Luftwaffe), which was a key element in the German strategy of warfare the Blitzkrieg (lightning war). BMW now admits to using as many as 20,000-30,000 slave laborers during the Nazi regime as well as producing military equipment for the Nazis.

The passage means how corporations in Germany benefited during the Nazi regime. Companies like BMW profited because they produced airplanes engines for the Germany air force.  After the treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, it was illegal to produce airplanes engines in Germany for 5 years. BMW then started making motorcycles and cars but then resume to making engines again. During the Nazi era productions of airplanes increased. BMW admitted to using many slaves to produce military goods for the Nazis.I chose this passage because I really like BMW cars. It surprised me to know how the BMW Company goes back in history. From making airplane engines to making cars, motorcycles and even military equipment. It shocks me how the Nazi influenced these major corporations to make weapons for violence or war. What really bothered me is that the BMW Corporation admitted to using 20,000 to 30,000 slave laborers during the Nazi revolution. This explains Hitler’s and Herman Goring priorities and self interest. To have innocent individuals or slaves produce violent weapons for them. It demonstrates form exploitation from these leaders’ behalf.