Why is it important to examine a company’s history during the Nazi era?
Even though the Nazi era ended more than 80 years ago and the key figures of that time have long since passed away, this period remains part of the history of long-established and family-owned companies. A responsible approach to this in the present cannot be achieved without a well-founded, verified understanding of the company’s history: Only those who know their history well, based on reliable sources and research, can represent a company transparently and credibly.
Whether family-owned businesses, medium-sized companies, or DAX-listed corporations: Experience shows that employees have a very strong interest in the company’s history and, above all, in its role during the Nazi era; professional processes of coming to terms with this history are often expressly welcomed. By confronting their history transparently and establishing a culture of remembrance within the company, businesses not only strengthen employee loyalty but also make an important contribution to greater openness and diversity, thereby reinforcing democratic values.
Coming to terms with a company’s history during the Nazi era is therefore not merely a “nice-to-have”: it can have a tangible impact on a company’s reputation—especially if it is neglected. These three aspects play a particularly significant role in this regard:
What experience does the GUG have with addressing the Nazi history of companies?
Until the mid-1980s, there was hardly any public discussion—and even less written about—the history of individual companies during the Nazi era. This changed with the first major scholarly studies on the subject, such as Peter Hayes’s work on the Nazi history of IG Farbenindustrie AG (published in 1987) or Hans Mommsen and Manfred Grieger’s study on the Volkswagen plant during the Third Reich (1996).
From the very beginning, the GUG closely accompanied and promoted this process of coming to terms with the past: as early as 1997, it brought researchers together at the former headquarters of IG Farbenindustrie AG in Frankfurt for a widely acclaimed symposium to discuss initial findings and methodological questions regarding research into the role of companies under National Socialism. A few weeks earlier, abandoned (Jewish) bank accounts had been discovered in Switzerland, which drew intense public attention to the topic of National Socialism. This was followed by the so-called “NS boom” in corporate historical research, during which archives were established, opened, and numerous files were unearthed.
Since then, the GUG has also investigated the history of numerous companies during the Nazi era, thereby building up comprehensive expertise in the field of research and investigation.
An overview of our studies on Nazi history can be found here:
Studien zur NS-Unternehmensgeschichte
What topics are typically examined in a study of NS-History?
Key research questions that GUG researchers always explore in their projects on the Nazi regime include:
#Political orientation: What stance did company officials take toward the Nazi regime?
#Attitudes toward Jews regarding participation in the exclusion of Jews from German economic life, whether through the expulsion of Jews from companies or through [AS4.1]“Aryanization”—that is, the acquisition of companies, real estate, and other assets from Jewish ownership
#The use, nature, and extent of forced labor
#Profits derived from participation in the Nazi war economy and the exploitation of forced laborers
Depending on the project and industry, additional questions may arise, such as regarding the transition to the postwar period (and possible personnel continuity) or involvement in the arms industry.
The analysis examines the scope of action a company had and the contradictions and complexities that can be identified based on available sources. Common narratives within the company are also scrutinized and, where possible, verified with sources or rejected.
Why is it important to conduct a scholarly examination of the company's history during the Nazi era?
Many companies have recognized that serious research on the Nazi period cannot be compared to journalistic accounts or personal recollections. To thoroughly and reliably examine a company’s role during the Nazi period, one needs sound methodologies, qualified historians, and access to meaningful sources. This also requires time, financial resources, and a deep understanding of the current state of research.
Business and economic historians can contextualize historical documents, understand economic relationships, and analyze legal structures. Furthermore, they place the findings regarding individual companies within broader economic contexts. In doing so, they contribute to insights that extend beyond the individual company and often allow for conclusions about the history of the industry or region. Only this combination enables a serious and reliable historical analysis—this is particularly true for research on the Nazi period.
Anyone conducting a historical examination of a company must read financial statements, comprehend economic decisions, and understand the legal framework. Without this knowledge, the analysis remains incomplete—and cannot meet the standards of a responsible historical examination.
For the Nazi period, the already relatively high demands placed on corporate historians become even greater, as it is essential to understand the specific characteristics of a dictatorship, the sheer multitude of legal regulations issued by a growing Nazi bureaucracy that increasingly intervened in the economic system, and the functioning of the Nazi war economy. Without this background knowledge—and this is only a small selection—the findings of studies and research cannot be evaluated and contextualized in a well-founded manner. Therefore, the involvement of proven, actual (and not merely self-proclaimed) experts is essential.
How does GUG ensure scientific independence and rigorous research?
Even though many research projects are initiated by companies themselves, the conceptual frameworks are always developed by GUG. The studies adhere to strict scientific standards, and their findings are discussed within professional circles, for example in peer reviews or at conferences. In this way, the projects actively contribute to scientific discourse.
GUG has served as a reliable partner for companies for decades and is firmly rooted in research. A key principle is that while research results are first presented to the commissioning company, any interference in the scientific work or in publication is contractually prohibited. The independence of the research is safeguarded at all times.
Based on these scientifically validated findings, companies can then develop a wide range of communication strategies. However, the foundation always remains the fact-based knowledge that GUG independently gathers.
How many companies have already addressed their Nazi past?
The group of German companies that are actively confronting their Nazi past remains surprisingly small. In 2024, the GUG conducted a study to examine how 1,250 German companies that are more than 100 years old are addressing their Nazi history.
Eighty years after the end of World War II, the sobering result is:
- Only eight percent of the companies surveyed have had their Nazi history scientifically examined by historians.
- For another ten percent, the Nazi history is addressed through a detailed chapter in a comprehensive account of the company’s history.
- 57 percent of the companies surveyed mention the period between 1933 and 1945 on their websites—but mostly only very briefly and without references to further information or background.
You can read the full study “Responsibility for One’s Own History: An Assessment of German Companies’ Engagement with Their Nazi Past” by Andrea Schneider-Braunberger and Philipp Meder here: