dtufail/nuremberg-trials-corpus huggingface dataset:
games at Godesberg in the latter part of May 1937. The purpose of the games was to demonstrate "how the action of the soldiers in total war is influenced by economy and how on the other hand, economy is completely dependent on military operations". Schacht's attendance was acclaimed at the games as
"renewed proof that you are willing to facilitate for us soldiers the difficult war-economic preparations and to strengthen the harmonious cooperation with your offices." (EC-174).
In June 1937, Keitel implored Hitler to accelerate a final agreement between Schacht and Goering. Speaking of arrangements concerning cooperation of these two key figures, Keitel said:
"I know that a necessary practical basis for it [the arrangement for cooperation between Schacht and Goering] has already been found, and only a formal agreement is needed in order to carry on the common work."
"*   *   *   to waste time in our situation would be the greatest reproach that history could make upon us.
"May I beg, therefore, once more that the arrangement mentioned be expedited, and that I be notified accordingly." (EC-248)
Finally, on 7 July 1937, Schacht and Goering signed an agreement of reconciliation in Berlin, wherein it was said that the tasks of Goering and Schacht "are being solved in closest mutual cooperation," and that "no doubt exists about the fact that the Commissioner General for War Economy has the position of a supreme authority of the Reich" (EC-384).
Schacht resumed his duties as General Plenipotentiary with renewed vigor. On the day following his formal agreement with Goering, he wrote to General von Blomberg on "Measures for the preparation of the conduct of war," pledging continued cooperation in their mutual endeavors:
of a supreme authority of the Reich" (EC-384). Schacht resumed his duties as General Plenipotentiary with renewed vigor. On the day following his formal agreement with Goering, he wrote to General von Blomberg on "Measures for the preparation of the conduct of war," pledging continued cooperation in their mutual endeavors:
"*   *   *   by the direction of the supreme authority for the  conduct of war, the coordination of the conduct of war will be assured in its execution through mutual agreement between you and me, which I look upon as a matter of course in the Central Authority and without which I cannot envisage any conduct of war. The direction of the economy by the plenipotentiary would in that event never 'take place entirely independent from the rest of the war mechanism' but would be aimed at the accomplishment of the political war purpose with the mustering of all economic forces. I am entirely willing, therefore, to participate in this way in the preparation of the forthcoming order giving effect to the Reich Defense Act [Reichsverteidigungsgesetz]." (EC-252)
However, Schacht and Goering were soon again in disagreement. After a sharp exchange of letters in which each sought to justify his particular economic program as the best means of making possible the attainment of Hitler's objectives (EC-497; EC-493), Schacht suggested to Goering in a curt letter dated 26 August 1937, that he (Goering) assume sole charge of economic policies. In this letter, Schacht rationalized his precipitate action as follows:
"To me it does not seem to be of decisive importance to raise questions of competence and initiative, but it is of decisive importance that the Fuehrer's economic policy should be carried out in a coherent manner, and with the least amount of friction." (EC-283)
his precipitate action as follows: "To me it does not seem to be of decisive importance to raise questions of competence and initiative, but it is of decisive importance that the Fuehrer's economic policy should be carried out in a coherent manner, and with the least amount of friction." (EC-283)
Despite the uncompromising tenor of the latter communication, Schacht was still amenable to an arrangement with Goering which would have permitted him a measure of autonomy in economic planning and preparation for war. On 1 November 1937, he attended a conference with Goering
"*   *   *   which led in an entirely friendly manner to the working out of a series of proposals, which   *   *   *   Goering promised to have presented to me [Schacht] in writing on the following day   *   *   *   so that, after having reached an agreement we could present a mutually approved text to you, my Fuehrer." (EC-495)
But the written agreement was not forthcoming as Goering had promised, and Schacht repeated his request to be relieved from the Ministry of Economics, "in the interest of a uniform government management" (EC-495). Hitler finally accepted Schacht's resignation as Minister of Economics on 26 November 1937, simultaneously appointing him Minister Without Portfolio. Schacht's resignation was also extended to his position as Plenipotentiary for War Economy (EC-494).
In subsequent interrogations, both Schacht and Goering have confirmed the fact that Schacht's withdrawal was simply the result of a losing struggle with Goering to retain personal power (3730-PS; 3728-PS).
Without Portfolio. Schacht's resignation was also extended to his position as Plenipotentiary for War Economy (EC-494). In subsequent interrogations, both Schacht and Goering have confirmed the fact that Schacht's withdrawal was simply the result of a losing struggle with Goering to retain personal power (3730-PS; 3728-PS).
There is nothing to indicate that Schacht's withdrawal from the Ministry of Economics and the Office of Plenipotentiary for War Economy in any sense represented a break with Hitler on the ground of contemplated military aggression. He consented to retain his position as President of the Reichsbank, where he remained undisputed master, and accepted the post of Minister of Portfolio, in order to be Hitler's "personal adviser." In the letter accepting Schacht's resignation as Minister of Economics, Hitler said:
"If I accede to your wish it is with the expression of deepest gratitude for your so excellent achievements and in the happy consciousness that, as President of the Reichsbank Directorium, you will make available for the German people and me for many years more your outstanding knowledge and ability and your untiring working strength. Delighted at the fact that in the future, also, you are willing to be my personal adviser, I appoint you as of today a Reich Minister." (L-104).
As President of the Reichsbank, Schacht continued to carry out Hitler's policies. As previously shown, he participated in the planning of the invasion of Austria by fixing the conversion rate of the Austrian Schilling in advance of the invasion; and under his direction, the Austrian National Bank was merged into the Reichsbank. He publicly approved the absorption of Austria and the acquisition of the Sudetenland. He continued to finance armaments by "mefo" bill credits until April 1938, and thereafter, until his resignation in January 1939, authorized an increase of approximately 2.6 billion Reichsmarks in bank notes in order to discount commercial paper which was used in connection with the armament program. (EC-438)
He continued to finance armaments by "mefo" bill credits until April 1938, and thereafter, until his resignation in January 1939, authorized an increase of approximately 2.6 billion Reichsmarks in bank notes in order to discount commercial paper which was used in connection with the armament program. (EC-438)
(2) Schacht's dismissal from the Presidency of the Reichsbank. Schacht was dismissed from the Presidency of the Reichsbank in January 1939. The evidence indicates that Schacht engineered his dismissal in order to escape personal responsibility for what he believed to be an impending financial crisis; he was not dismissed because of disagreement with the ultimate objectives of the conspiracy or common plan.
Schacht had always feared an inflation in Germany. As early as May 1936, he emphatically stated that he would "never be party to an inflation" (1301-PS). In January 1939, Schacht was convinced that ruinous inflation was, in fact, imminent (EC-369). There was, it appears, ample basis for his fear. The Finance Minister, von Krosigk, had already recognized the situation in September 1938, and had written to Hitler warning that
"*   *   *   we are steering towards a serious financial crisis, the forebodings of which have led already abroad to detailed discussions of this weak side in our economic preparations and to an apprehensive loss of confidence domestically." (EC-419)
Schacht was not only afraid of a financial crisis; he was even more fearful that he personally would be held responsible for it and his prestige would suffer a crushing blow. One of his associates at the Reichsbank has stated:
"When Schacht saw that the risky situation which he had sponsored was becoming insoluble, he was more and more anxious to get out. This desire to get out of a bad situation was for a long time the 'leitmotif' of Schacht's conversations with the directors of the bank." (EC-438)
Reichsbank has stated: "When Schacht saw that the risky situation which he had sponsored was becoming insoluble, he was more and more anxious to get out. This desire to get out of a bad situation was for a long time the 'leitmotif' of Schacht's conversations with the directors of the bank." (EC-438)
In the end, Schacht deliberately stimulated his dismissal from the Presidency of the Reichsbank by arbitrarily refusing an end-of-the-month loan in a relatively small amount to the Reich, contrary to well established practice (3730-PS; 3731-PS).
Despite differences of opinion concerning the limits to which the German economy might be pushed without plunging the country into inflation, Schacht continued to enjoy Hitler's confidence. In his letter to Schacht dated 19 January 1939, Hitler stated:
"On the occasion of your recall from Office as President of the Reichsbank Directory, I take the opportunity to express to you my most sincere and warmest gratitude for the services which you rendered repeatedly to Germany and to me personally in this capacity during long and difficult years. Your name, above all, will always be connected with the first epoch of the national rearmament. I am happy to be able to avail myself of your services for the solution of new tasks in your position as Reich Minister." (EC-397).
On his side, Schacht evidenced his abiding faith in Hitler and his continued agreement with his aggressive policies, by remaining as Minister without Portfolio until January 1943. As such he received a large salary from the Nazi Government and enjoyed the emoluments of public office (3724-PS).
as Reich Minister." (EC-397). On his side, Schacht evidenced his abiding faith in Hitler and his continued agreement with his aggressive policies, by remaining as Minister without Portfolio until January 1943. As such he received a large salary from the Nazi Government and enjoyed the emoluments of public office (3724-PS).
(3) Conclusion. Schacht's assistance in the earlier phase of the conspiracy was an important factor in enabling the conspirators to seize the German state and thus pave the way for their later crimes. His work was indispensable to the rearmament of Germany and to the economic planning and preparation required to launch the German wars of aggression. As long as he remained in power, he worked as eagerly for the preparation of aggressive war as any of his co-conspirators. He personally was favorably disposed towards aggression, if "Lebensraum" for Germany could not otherwise be attained. He knew that Hitler intended to and would break the peace, and with this knowledge, he willingly and purposely contributed his efforts. His withdrawal from three of his four posts reflected no moral feeling against the use of aggressive warfare as an instrument of national policy; he withdrew for reasons wholly unrelated to Hitler's program of illegal aggression. By the time of his withdrawal from these three positions, he had already provided his co-conspirators with the physical means and economic planning necessary to launch and maintain their wars of aggression; and he continued in his lucrative fourth position (Minister without Portfolio) until January 1943-until, in short, it became doubtful whether the conspirators could maintain the successes which they had gained in the wars they had illegally launched and were waging.
LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO HJALMAR SCHACHT
Document 		Description									Vol.		Page
Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6 ......................... 	I		5
conspirators could maintain the successes which they had gained in the wars they had illegally launched and were waging. LEGAL REFERENCES AND LIST OF DOCUMENTS RELATING TO HJALMAR SCHACHT Document Description Vol. Page Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6 ......................... I 5
International Military Tribunal, Indictment Number 1, Section IV (H); Appendix A .........................	I	29,63
Note: A single asterisk (*) before a document indicates that the document was received in evidence at the Nurnberg trial. A double asterisk (**) before a document number indicates that the document was referred to during the trial but was not formally received in evidence, for the reason given in parentheses following the description of the document. The USA series number, given in parentheses following the description of the document, is the official exhibit number assigned by the court.
*386-PS			Notes on a conference with Hitler in the Reich Chancellery, Berlin, 5 November 1937, signed by Hitler's adjutant, Hossbach, and dated 10 November 1937. (USA 25) ......................... 	III		295
*1168-PS		Unsigned Schacht memorandum to Hitler, 3 May 1935, concerning the financing of the armament program. (USA 37) ......................... 	III		827
*1301-PS		File relating to financing of armament, including minutes of conference with Goering at the Air Ministry, 14 October 1938, concerning acceleration of rearmament. (USA 123) ......................... 	III		868
*2261-PS		Directive from Blomberg to Supreme Commanders of Army, Navy and Air Forces, 24 June 1935; accompanied by copy of Reich Defense Law of 21 May 1935 and copy of Decision of Reich Cabinet of 12 May 1935 on the Council for defense of the Reich. (USA 24) ......................... 	IV		934
*2409-PS		Extracts from The Imperial House to the Reich Chancellery by Dr. Joseph Goebbels. (USA 262) ......................... 	V		83
*3021-PS		Statement of governmental positions held by Dr. Hjalmar Schacht. (USA 11) ......................... 	V		737
24) ......................... IV 934 *2409-PS Extracts from The Imperial House to the Reich Chancellery by Dr. Joseph Goebbels. (USA 262) ......................... V 83 *3021-PS Statement of governmental positions held by Dr. Hjalmar Schacht. (USA 11) ......................... V 737
*3700-PS		Letter from Schacht to Reich Marshal, 11 March, concerning conscription of 15-year-olds. (USA 780) ......................... 	VI		404
*3724-PS		Testimony of Hjalmar Schacht, 11 July 1945. (USA 776) ......................... 	VI		463
*3725-PS		Testimony of Hjalmar Schacht, 20 July 1945. (USA 615) ......................... 	VI		464
*3726-PS		Testimony of Hjalmar Schacht, 24 August 1945. (USA 628) ......................... 	VI		465
*3727-PS		Testimony of Hjalmar Schacht, 13 October 1945. (USA 633) ......................... 	VI		478
*3728-PS		Testimony of Hjalmar Schacht, 16 October 1945. (USA 636) ......................... 	VI		485
*3729-PS		Testimony of Hjalmar Schacht, 17 October 1945. (USA 616) ......................... 	VI		501
*3730-PS		Testimony of Hermann Goering, 17 October 1945. (USA 648) ......................... 	VI		530
*3731-PS		Testimony of von Krosigk, 24 September 1945. (USA 647) ......................... 	VI		535
*3901-PS		Letter written November 1932 by Schacht, Krupp and others to the Reich President. (USA 837) ......................... 	VI		796
*D-203			Speech of Hitler to leading members of industry before the election of March 1933. (USA 767) ......................... 	VI		1080
*EC-128			Report on state of preparations for war economic mobilization as of 30 September 1934. (USA 623) ......................... 	VII		306
*EC-174			Summary "war economy" trip to Godesberg undertaken by General Staff between 25 May and 2 June 1937. (USA 761) ......................... 	VII		326
*EC-177			Minutes of second session of Working Committee of the Reich Defense held on 26 April 1933. (USA 390) ......................... 	VII		328
VII 306 *EC-174 Summary "war economy" trip to Godesberg undertaken by General Staff between 25 May and 2 June 1937. (USA 761) ......................... VII 326 *EC-177 Minutes of second session of Working Committee of the Reich Defense held on 26 April 1933. (USA 390) ......................... VII 328
*EC-243			Memorandum, 26 November 1936, containing Goering's Order regarding jurisdiction and development of raw and synthetic materials. (USA 637) ......................... 	VII		338
*EC-244			Letter from Blomberg to Hitler, 22 February 1937. (USA 641) ......................... 	VII		342
EC-248			Letter from Keitel to Koerner, 14 June 1937, concerning cooperation of Plenipotentiary General and Four Year Plan for War Economy ......................... 	VII		343
EC-251			Letter from Wohlthat to various officials, 21 July 1937 ......................... 	VII		344
*EC-252			Letter from Schacht to Blomberg, 8 July 1937. (USA 762) ......................... 	VII		346
*EC-257			Personal letter from Schacht to Thomas, 29 December 1937. (USA 763) ......................... 	VII		347
*EC-258			Report on Preparation of the Economic Mobilization by the Plenipotentiary for War Economy as of 31 December 1937. (USA 625) ......................... 	VII		347
EC-283			Letter from Schacht to Goering, 26 August 1937 ......................... 	VII		379
*EC-297-A		Address in Vienna of the Reichsbank President, Dr. Schacht, 21 March 1938. (USA 632) ......................... 	VII		394
*EC-369			Correspondence between Schacht and Hitler, January 1939. (USA 631) ......................... 	VII		426
*EC-376			Letter from Schacht to supervisory officers, 11 December 1936. (USA 638) ......................... 	VII		436
*EC-383			Letter 16 January 1937 with enclosure - article about Schacht appearing in the Military weekly Gazette. (USA 640) ......................... 	VII		436
*EC-384			Agreement between Schacht and Goering, 7 July 1937. (USA 771) ......................... 	VII		438
1936. (USA 638) ......................... VII 436 *EC-383 Letter 16 January 1937 with enclosure - article about Schacht appearing in the Military weekly Gazette. (USA 640) ......................... VII 436 *EC-384 Agreement between Schacht and Goering, 7 July 1937. (USA 771) ......................... VII 438
*EC-397			Letter from Hitler to Schacht, 19 January 1939. (USA 650) ......................... 	VII		438
*EC-398			Dismissal of Schacht as President of the Reichsbank, 20 January 1939. (USA 649) ......................... 	VII		438
*EC-405			Minutes of Tenth Meeting of Working Committee of Reichs Defense Council, 26 June 1935. (GB 160) ......................... 	VII		450
*EC-406			Minutes of Eleventh Meeting of Reichs Defense Council, 6 December 1935. (USA 772) ......................... 	VII		455
*EC-408			Memorandum report about the Four Year Plan and preparation of the war economy, 30 December 1936. (USA 579) ......................... 	VII		465
*EC-415			Extracts from "Schacht in His Statements", Berlin, 1937. (USA 627) ......................... 	VII		469
*EC-416			Minutes of Cabinet Meeting, 4 September 1936. (USA 635) ......................... 	VII		471
*EC-419			Letter from Schwerin-Krosigk to Hitler, 1 September 1938. (USA 621) ......................... 	VII		474
*EC-420			Draft of letter prepared by Military Economic Staff, 19 December 1936. (USA 639) ......................... 	VII		479
*EC-421			Minutes taken by member of General Thomas' staff of meeting held on 11 March 1938. (USA 645) ......................... 	VII		481
EC-432			Extracts from Annual Economic Review for Germany, 1935, prepared by Douglas Miller ......................... 	VII		484
*EC-433			Koenigsberg speech of Schacht at German Eastern Fair. (USA 832) ......................... 	VII		486
*EC-436			Affidavit of Puhl, 2 November 1945. (USA 620) ......................... 	VII		494
*EC-437			Affidavit of Puhl, 7 November 1945. (USA 624) ......................... 	VII		495
VII 484 *EC-433 Koenigsberg speech of Schacht at German Eastern Fair. (USA 832) ......................... VII 486 *EC-436 Affidavit of Puhl, 2 November 1945. (USA 620) ......................... VII 494 *EC-437 Affidavit of Puhl, 7 November 1945. (USA 624) ......................... VII 495
*EC-438			Affidavit of Puhl, 8 November 1945. (USA 646) ......................... 	VII		499
*EC-439			Affidavit of Schnitzler, 10 November 1945. (USA 618) ......................... 	VII		501
*EC-450			Affidavit of S. R. Fuller, 18 October 1945. (USA 629) ......................... 	VII		502
*EC-451			Affidavit of Messersmith, 15 November 1945. (USA 626) ......................... 	VII		509
*EC-456			Letter from Schacht to Hitler, 12 November 1932. (USA 773) ......................... 	VII		512
*EC-457			Letter from Schacht to Hitler, 29 August 1932. (USA 619) ......................... 	VII		513
*EC-458			Affidavit of Major Tilley, 21 November 1945. (USA 634) ......................... 	VII		514
*EC-460			Franz Reuter "Schacht", from German Publishing Establishment, 1937, pp. 113-114. (USA 617) ......................... 	VII		515
*EC-461			Extracts from Ambassador Dodd's Diary, 1933-38. (USA 58) ......................... 	VII		515
EC-492			Letter from Schacht to Goering, 17 April 1937 ......................... 	VII		550
*EC-493			Letter from Goering to Schacht, 22 August 1937. (USA 642) ......................... 	VII		552
*EC-494			Letter from Lammers to Goering, presenting copy of letter from Lammers to Schacht, 8 December 1937. (USA 643) ......................... 	VII		565
*EC-495			Letter from Schacht to Hitler, 16 November 1937, requesting release. (USA 774) ......................... 	VII		566
*EC-497			Letter from Schacht to Goering, 5 August 1937. (USA 775) ......................... 	VII		567
EC-498			"Schacht in Danzig", excerpt of 16 June 1935 from Frankfurter Zeitung ......................... 	VII		576
EC-499			Dr. Schacht 60 Years Old, from Voelkischer Beobachter, 21 January 1937 ......................... 	VII		576
Letter from Schacht to Goering, 5 August 1937. (USA 775) ......................... VII 567 EC-498 "Schacht in Danzig", excerpt of 16 June 1935 from Frankfurter Zeitung ......................... VII 576 EC-499 Dr. Schacht 60 Years Old, from Voelkischer Beobachter, 21 January 1937 ......................... VII 576
EC-500			A Proclamation by Dr. Schacht on occasion of presentation of Golden Party Badge, from Frankfurter Zeitung, 9 February 1937 ......................... 	VII		578
EC-501			The Economic Development, and Inaugural speech by Dr. Schacht, from Berliner Tageblatt, 21 April 1937 ......................... 	VII		579
EC-502			"In Germany There is only One Economic Policy", from Frankfurter Zeitung, 19 January 1936 ......................... 	VII		583
EC-503			Schacht Speech at Leipzig Fair, from Frankfurter Zeitung, 5 March 1935 ......................... 	VII		583
*EC-611			Speech by Schacht, 29 November 1938, entitled "Miracle of Finance" and "The New Plan". (USA 622) ......................... 	VII		589
*L-104			Report Ambassador Dodd to State Department, 29 November 1937, concerning Hitler's letter to Schacht accepting resignation as Minister of Economics and Schacht's circular communication to officials of Ministry. (USA 644) ......................... 	VII		879
*L-111			Telegraphic report from Ambassador Davies to State Department, 20 January 1937. (USA 630) ......................... 	VII		881
*L-151			Report from Ambassador Bullitt to State Department, 23 November 1937, regarding his visit to Warsaw. (USA 70) ......................... 	VII		894
*Chart No. 1		National Socialist German Workers' Party. (2903-PS; USA 2) ......................... 	VIII		770
Chapter XVI Part 11
Contents
Chapter XVI Part 13