Henry Ford inspired many Nazis to persecute Jews!
By Bon Sharaon
@boneysharaon (177)
July 5, 2016 1:12pm CST
I just came across this information. Henry Ford sponsored an anti-semitic newspaper which had a readership of 700,000. The same person who gave good working conditions to Jews in his factories was an antisemite!
Hitler once said to a reporter that he regarded Ford as his "inspiration," and had kept Ford's life-size portrait next to his desk. Hitler modeled the Volkswagen on Ford's T model.
Ford was even awarded the Grand Cross of the German Eagle, the highest Nazi honour to a foreigner.
2 people like this
3 responses
@Mike197602 (15512)
• United Kingdom
5 Jul 16
He was apparently an anti semite but i doubt he inspired any nazis as they already had those views.
The holocaust is the area of history immost interedted in.
After usa entered the war he did seem to revoke his antisemitism in a statement.
1 person likes this
@boneysharaon (177)
•
5 Jul 16
That was because he did not want his business interests ruined. Also his apology letters were not signed by him. They were signed by Henry Bennet who forged Ford's signatures. He never officially recanted his antisemitic views.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15512)
• United Kingdom
5 Jul 16
@boneysharaon ill have to come back to this when im not on my fone as ford is not a black and white issue.
Still, as regarding inspiring nazis id say that wasnt the case.
1 person likes this
@boneysharaon (177)
•
5 Jul 16
@Mike197602 He did inspire some indirectly who read his views in the Nazi German compilation of Ford's antisemtic newspaper articles 'The International Jew'. For eg. a Hitler Youth Leader Baldur Von Schirach, then a military governer, sent many Jews to Auschwitz. He testified before Nuremberg tribunal that the book inspired him to become an antisemitic.
1 person likes this
@boneysharaon (177)
•
5 Jul 16
That's because we know Ford's name is in the good books for his revolutionary ideas in automobile industry and the best working conditions his company provided. But the fact that he was antisemite will certainly shock many people from the new generation.
@Dramista (542)
•
6 Jul 16
That could be it orrrrrrr
Henry Ford was more inclined in Business and making money than political agenda.
If good relations with the Nazi's helped make money, then sponsoring against their enemies would be a wise move. :)
Ford might also be helping the Jews at that time if it made him money :)
I think he was more neutral and only proceeded to help if there was profit in it :)
1 person likes this
