Friedrich Krupp AG Hoesch-Krupp (formerly Fried. Krupp AG and Friedrich Krupp GmbH), trading as Krupp, was the largest company in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century as well as Germany's premier weapons manufacturer during both world wars. It produced battleships, U-boats, tanks, howitzers, guns, utilities, and hundreds of other commodities. The company also produced steel used to build railroads in the United States and to cap the Chrysler Building.
After the Nazis seized power in Germany, Krupp supported the regime and was one of many German businesses that profited from slave labor during World War II. Upon the war's end, the head of the company, Alfried Krupp, was tried and convicted as a war criminal for employing prisoners of war, foreign civilians and concentration camp inmates under inhumane conditions in support of the Nazi war effort.[1] Despite being sentenced to imprisonment for twelve years, he served just three and was pardoned (but not acquitted) by John J. McCloy.[2] As a result of this pardon, all of Krupp's holdings were restored.[2]
In the years following the Third Reich's collapse, Krupp rose once again to become one of the wealthiest companies in Europe. However, this growth did not last. In 1967, an economic recession resulted in significant financial losses for the business. In 1992, the company went public for the first time upon merging with Hoesch AG. In 1999, it merged with Thyssen to form ThyssenKrupp.
Controversy has dogged the Krupp company. Being a major weapons supplier to multiple sides throughout various conflicts, it was blamed for the wars themselves or the degree of carnage that ensued. Its involvement in Nazi Germany was particularly controversial and widely condemned.[3][4]
Overview
Friedrich Krupp (1787–1826) launched the family's metal-based activities, building a pioneering steel foundry in Essen in 1811.[5][6] After his death, his sons Alfred and an unidentified brother operated the business in partnership with their mother.[6] An account cited that, on his deathbed, the elder Krupp confided to Alfred, who was then 14 years old, the secret of steel casting.[7] In 1848, Alfred became the sole owner of the foundry.[6] This next generation Krupp (1812–87), known as "the Cannon King" or as "Alfred the Great",[8] invested heavily in new technology to become a significant manufacturer of steel rollers (used to make eating utensils) and railway tyres.
Roles played in important historical events
Franco-Prussian War
The unexpected victory of Prussia over France (19 July 1870 – 10 May 1871) demonstrated the superiority of breech-loaded steel cannon over muzzle-loaded brass. Krupp artillery was a significant factor at the battles of Wissembourg and Gravelotte, and was used during the siege of Paris. Krupp's anti-balloon guns were the first anti-aircraft guns. Prussia fortified the major North German ports with batteries that could hit French ships from a distance of 4000 yards, inhibiting invasion.
Venezuela Crisis
Krupp's construction of the Great Venezuela Railway from 1888 to 1894 raised Venezuelan national debt. Venezuela's suspension of debt payments in 1901 led to gunboat diplomacy of the Venezuela Crisis of 1902–1903.[10]
Balkan Wars
Pronunciation
The common English pronunciations are or .[18] The common German pronunciations are or. Thus the u is usually treated as short in both languages, corresponding logically (in either language's regular orthography) with the doubled consonant that follows. A British documentary on the Krupp family and firm included footage of German-speakers of the 1930s who would have had speaking contact with the family, which attests the long, thus or , rather than what would be the regular German spelling pronunciation, or. The documentary's narration used the English equivalent,. This would seem to indicate that the short u is a spelling pronunciation, but it is nonetheless the most common treatment.
Sources
- Books
- Articles
- EC McCreary, "Social Welfare and Business: The Krupp Welfare Program, 1860–1914" (1968) 42(1) The Business History Review 24–49.
Further reading
External links
References
- Stanely Goldman. A Fuhrer of Industry: Krupp Before, During, and After Nuremberg Loyola Marymount University and Loyola Law School, retrieved 15 January 2022^
- Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach | German industrialist Britannica, 9 August 2023^
- Taylor, Telford. The Anatomy of the Nuremberg Trials: A Personal Memoir