Hjalmar Schacht Quotes

A collection of quotes by Hjalmar Schacht.

Hjalmar Schacht (1877-1970) was a prominent German economist, banker, and politician. He is best known for his roles as the President of the Reichsbank and as the Minister of Economics during the early years of Nazi Germany. Schacht played a significant role in shaping economic policies, particularly in the buildup to World War II.

Born in Tingleff, Schacht pursued a successful career in finance and banking, eventually becoming the head of the Reichsbank in 1923. During this time, he implemented a series of monetary measures that helped stabilize the German currency and alleviate the effects of hyperinflation. However, after a disagreement with the Nazi Party regarding economic policies, Schacht was briefly dismissed from his position in 1934.

Despite his initial opposition, Schacht returned to the government in 1933 as Hitler's Minister of Economics. He played a key role in rearmament efforts, coordinating extensive public works projects and implementing policies that aimed to recover and stimulate the German economy. However, from the mid-1930s onwards, Schacht increasingly became disillusioned with the Nazi regime and its radical economic policies.

Schacht was eventually removed from his position as Minister of Economics in 1943 due to disagreements with other Nazi officials. After the end of World War II, he faced trial at the Nuremberg Trials but was acquitted of war crimes charges. He later continued his work in finance and served as an economic advisor in several countries. Hjalmar Schacht's complex relationship with the Nazi regime remains a subject of historical debate and scrutiny.