Book SummaryThe Wages of Destruction, by Adam Tooze

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of The Wages of Destruction

The groundwork for their subsequent territorial expansion was established by the economic policies implemented by the Nazi regime.

Tooze suggests that the Nazis crafted their economic policies to facilitate territorial expansion via military conflict. Civilian prosperity, job creation, and consumer spending were deemed to be of lesser significance. Upon Hitler's rise to power and leading up to the Munich crisis, the share of Germany's income dedicated to military spending escalated from less than one percent to almost twenty percent, signifying an unprecedented reallocation of resources during peacetime for a capitalist country. Emerging from its economic slump, which was marked by an excess of 6 million unemployed people in 1933, Germany was able to increase military expenditure and satisfy internal consumer demand. During the 1930s, the majority of German residents lived modestly, reflecting the nation's constrained affluence. The drive for rearmament during the resurgence had a substantial impact on civilian consumption, which was further strained by the stringent constraints often brought about by Germany's financial obligations internationally. The emphasis in 1934 markedly transitioned from industries producing consumer goods and agriculture to enhancing military capacities. In 1938, the introduction of inconspicuous restrictions on the availability of butter and meat in German towns underscored the escalating necessity to make a choice between preserving the standard of living for civilians and increasing military capabilities. The transformation occurred not due to an exceptionally productive or vigorous economy, but rather through the persistent and efficient application of governmental power, as analyzed by Tooze.

Tooze examines the factors enabling the Nazi regime's sustained extensive dominance. He pinpoints four essential elements. During the 1930s, the economic slump considerably reduced the power of Germany's corporate bodies. German industry, despite its orientation towards international trade, was content with the totalitarian governance instituted by the Nazis after 1933, which included the abolition of trade unions and the imposition of wage controls. The state's substantial impact on the economy after 1933 was evident, and it manifested through the strategic implementation of its forceful policies. The Nazi regime often harnessed the proficiency and structural capabilities of companies in Germany, opting to capitalize on the initiative of the private sector rather than entirely replacing it. Finally, Tooze emphasizes the distinct difference between governance and the management of Germany's economic framework. The administration achieved its goals through the strategic formation of alliances and by giving priority to specific sectors and areas.

The Nazi regime's domestic objectives were closely aligned, and they were pursued through the government's active engagement in economic affairs.

The relationship that Germany's industrial sectors had with the Nazi government was complex and varied, as detailed by Tooze. While nationalism fostered unity, the aspirations of the nation's corporate sector differed significantly from the worldwide objectives pursued by Hitler and his inner circle. Upon Hitler's ascension to Chancellor and his subsequent meeting with German industrial leaders on February 20, it became clear that a complex set of dynamics was at play. The commercial sector was keen on advocating for economic strategies that would serve their own advantages. Hitler and Goering actively sought financial backing to bolster their party's electoral efforts. In exchange for a contribution of 3 million Reichsmarks, they committed to ending the parliamentary democratic system and eradicating the influence exerted by the German left.

Major companies were instrumental in consolidating power, accepting the reduction of political freedoms in exchange for the suppression of leftist organizations.

Tooze highlights the gathering on February 20th as a clear illustration of the role major German corporations played in suppressing a variety of political perspectives. Hitler promised business leaders that his regime would employ coercion when required to consistently suppress leftist organizations. The company representatives met the demand by supplying the required finances. Initially, the Nazis honored their commitments upon ascending to power. At the start of 1933, a surge of violence decisively crushed the German trade union movement, paving the way for the creation of the German Labor Front, which amalgamated workers and employers into a single organization under the control of the Nazi party. During the Night of the Long Knives, the military and the SS suppressed the radical elements within the Nazi party, thereby creating a level of internal control in Germany that was without precedent. Under Schacht's guidance, the Ministry of Economic Affairs implemented policies that greatly benefited corporate entities, taking a laissez-faire stance towards the oversight of Germany's financial institutions. The collaboration between state authorities and business entities, established during the 1920s, continued into subsequent eras.

In return for the authority to establish coalitions, regulate salaries, and ensure stable profits, businesses agreed to government supervision, resulting in an agreement with the government that promoted economic recovery and strengthened defense capabilities.

During the early 1930s, the ambitions of significant companies went beyond simply suppressing leftist ideologies. The national industrial association held a broad perspective on Germany's prospective position on the international stage. German industry did not resist the introduction of tariffs but was a firm supporter of capital mobility and the creation of mutual trade pacts. In 1933, Hitler alongside Schacht began implementing an economic policy that was marked by...

The Wages of Destruction Summary The influence of economic factors in defining the political and ideological objectives of the Nazi regime.

Germany's precarious economic condition was the critical element that drove Hitler to start a war in 1939, according to Adam Tooze. Hitler was firmly convinced that conflict was inevitable due to his ideology, which was rooted in the conviction of racial superiority. Germany had to shorten the timeframe of its projections as it neared the zenith of its mobilization before the conflict erupted. By 1939, the significant reduction in Germany's rearmament activities had resulted in a diplomatic deadlock for Hitler. The alliance between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union was crucial as it secured the eastern flank and enabled the procurement of resources from the Soviet Union.

As 1939 approached, the acceleration of military preparedness and the fusion of financial and tactical factors accelerated the pace toward conflict.

Hitler voluntarily decided to initiate conflict in 1939. Germany had not yet arrived at a juncture of desperation. To understand the motivations for Hitler's military incursion into Poland, Tooze proposes an analysis of three interrelated elements.

Germany's military and economic systems were particularly vulnerable: Hitler was aware of the widening...

The Wages of Destruction Summary Nazi economic policy significantly influenced Germany's social hierarchy, industrial development, and the manner in which World War II was waged.

Adam Tooze strives to provide a comprehensive examination of the internal workings of the Nazi regime. In the final sections of his book, he broadens his analysis to explore the impact of Hitler's Germany's choices on the nation's social framework and their role in shaping the course of the Second World War.

In Germany, a fervent military enthusiasm existed alongside restrained consumer expenditure.

Tooze's analysis often portrays the Nazi regime as more than just a disordered expression of collective madness. A comprehensive grasp of the Third Reich necessitates an examination of the regime's domestic influence and its repercussions on German society.

The National Socialist movement's objectives clashed with the aim for widespread consumer goods availability, leading to the military emerging as the primary symbol of the regime's successes.

Adam Tooze's analysis highlights that the Nazi government was focused not only on expanding its territories and strengthening its armed forces but also on promoting the economic prosperity of its people. Hitler's ambitions were not limited to defeating his enemies; he also sought to elevate Germany's prosperity and aesthetic...

The Wages of Destruction Summary As the Allied forces applied mounting pressure and the military suffered several setbacks, the German war economy began to progressively decline.

The manufacturing of military weaponry in Germany saw a consistent increase during the war, but it failed to accelerate sufficiently to equal the superior production capabilities of its opponents. Tooze argues that the downfall of Germany's efforts during the war cannot be attributed solely to a basic 'failure'. By the time war was imminent, Germany had already maximized its peacetime mobilization potential.

Other Perspectives

• While the German war economy did face decline, it's important to...