Hjalmar Schacht

(1877 - 1970)

Dr. Hjalmar Schach was a German financial expert and politician. After receiving his doctorate in economics, Schacht was employed by the Dresdner Bank, where he became deputy director in 1908. From 1916 to 1923 he served as director of the private National Bank for Germany. In November 1923 he was appointed national currency commissioner and one month later, president of the Reichsbank. In these posts he helped to stabilize the German currency. After 1924 he played a leading role in negotiations on German war reparations, but resigned in 1930 due to differences with the Weimar government. His alienation from the financial policies of the Weimar government pushed Schacht increasingly to the political right. He helped to introduce Hitler to industrial and financial leaders and played a key role in persuading President Paul von Hindenburg to appoint Hitler Reich chancellor in 1933.

As a reward for his assistance, Schacht was reappointed head of the Reichsbank (1933-1939), named Minister of Economic Affairs (1935-1937), and Plenipotentiary for the War Economy (1935-1937). Schacht became the central figure in National socialist rearmament. Jurisdictional quarrels with Hermann Goering and disagreements over economic policy led to Schacht's gradual withdrawal. He remained Reich minister without portfolio until 1943. Schacht was implicated in the July 1944 plot to kill Hitler and was imprisoned for the remainder of the war. After the International Military Tribunal in Nuremberg acquitted Schacht of all charges, he was tried and sentenced by a denazification court to eight years in a work camp. He was released in 1948. Absolved of all accusations r

Sources: Encyclopedia of the Third Reich (Zentner & Beduerftig eds. USHMM Photo Archives