History of Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk

Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk was a significant figure in German history, primarily for his role as a politician and his involvement in the economic management during the Nazi regime. Born Johann Ludwig von Krosigk on August 22, 1887, in Rathmannsdorf, Province of Saxony, in what was then the German Empire, he hailed from a noble family with deep roots in German aristocracy. His full name, Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk, reflects both his noble standing and the titles he inherited.

Von Krosigk's educational background was robust; he studied law and economics at several universities, including Halle, Lausanne, and Oxford's Oriel College. This academic grounding prepared him for his initial roles in the civil service, which commenced in earnest when he joined the Ministry of Finance in 1918, following his military service in World War I. His work within the finance ministry during the Weimar Republic laid the foundation for his expertise in fiscal matters.

His career took a decisive turn when, in 1932, Chancellor Franz von Papen appointed him as the Reich Minister of Finance, a position he would remarkably hold until the end of World War II. Initially, von Krosigk's appointment was somewhat expected due to his background and technical expertise rather than his politics. However, with Adolf Hitler's rise to power in 1933, von Krosigk, like many other non-Nazi conservatives, aligned himself with the new regime, believing he could exert a moderating influence.

As Minister of Finance, von Krosigk played a pivotal role in the financial architecture of Nazi Germany. He was involved in the formulation of the economic policies that supported the regime's militarization efforts and its autarkic strategies designed to make Germany economically self-sufficient. His management of Germany's economy involved navigating complex fiscal challenges, including controlling inflation, managing the national debt, and devising ways to fund the massive rearmament program despite international constraints.

One of his notable achievements was his involvement in the implementation of "MEFO bills" - a financing scheme to cover rearmament expenditures without alarming international markets or violating the Treaty of Versailles. This mechanism cleverly allowed the Nazi regime to secretly fund its military buildup, contributing significantly to its war efforts.

However, von Krosigk's role was not limited to financial affairs; his involvement in the Nazi government inevitably tied him to its broader policies, including those of expropriation and exploitation in occupied territories, as well as the economic discrimination against Jews and other minorities. While von Krosigk was primarily a technocrat, his actions and inactions contributed to sustaining a regime responsible for heinous crimes.

Following Germany's defeat in World War II and Hitler's suicide in April 1945, von Krosigk briefly served in a unique position. Hitler's appointed successor, Admiral Karl Dönitz, established the Flensburg Government, and von Krosigk became the Leading Minister and the de facto Foreign Minister. His brief period in this quasi-leadership role was primarily to handle the transitioning of power and to negotiate with the Allies. However, the Flensburg Government was quickly dissolved by the Allies.

In the aftermath of the war during the Nuremberg Trials, von Krosigk was among the many who faced justice. Though he was not one of the major war criminals tried at the main Nuremberg Trials, he was prosecuted in the "Ministries Trial" (one of the follow-up Nuremberg Trials). In 1949, he was found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity, primarily due to his participation in Nazi economic policies and exploitation in occupied territories. He was sentenced to ten years in prison but was released in 1951 as part of a general amnesty.

Following his release, von Krosigk retreated into a life away from public service, dedicating his time to writing. He authored several memoirs, where he largely defended his actions during the Third Reich and attempted to distance himself from the harsher aspects of the Nazi regime. His writings remain controversial, often reflecting a lack of acknowledgment of the full extent of the regime's atrocities.

Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk died on March 4, 1977, in Essen, West Germany. His legacy remains complex and contentious. On one hand, he is recognized for his technical ability and economic acumen, which were instrumental in the functioning of the Nazi state, but on the other, he is forever associated with a regime responsible for some of history's gravest crimes. His life serves as a stark reminder of the moral dilemmas faced by technocrats in totalitarian regimes and the perils of prioritizing duty and national service over ethical considerations. Von Krosigk's story is one of a skilled bureaucrat caught up in the machinery of a devastating war and the consequences of authoritarian rule.