The major industrial and commercial flagships of Germany — including 49 companies such as Adidas, Volkswagen, BMW, Bosch, and Bayer — have collectively accepted responsibility for supporting the National Socialist regime in the 1930s for the first time in history.
This historic statement was published through the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung in connection with the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II and caused a significant stir in the global community.
Responsibility before history
The document emphasizes that if large businesses and financial circles had not openly or covertly supported Adolf Hitler and his party at that time, the likelihood of his rise to power in 1933 would have been low. The authors of the statement noted that the task of preserving and not forgetting the memory of the crimes against humanity committed during the Nazi era is not only the responsibility of historians or the state but also of the business and corporate community.
"Silence and turning away" — a lesson for solidarity
The following sentence is highlighted in the document:
"During 1933 and the following years, many remained silent and turned away from events. This clearly places a responsibility on us — for the past, the present, and the future."
These words remind not only companies but also any society of the necessity to learn from past mistakes.
Major brands that signed the statement
The document was signed by the following world-famous companies:
- Adidas
- Volkswagen
- BMW
- Bayer
- BASF
- Bosch
- Evonik
- Siemens
- Lufthansa
- Deutsche Bahn
- Rheinmetall and others
Some of these companies had previously been highlighted by historians for actively fulfilling military orders, using forced labor in concentration camps, and collaborating with the Hitler government during the Nazi era.
Why is this statement important?
Analysts believe that such a collective statement is significant for the restoration of historical justice, corporate transparency, and stepping towards ethics. It once again proves that in the modern business world, not only financial profit but also humanity, responsibility, and moral position are paramount.
The editorial team of Zamin.uz evaluates this statement as an important example of the responsible relationship between business and history. Acknowledging the truth and drawing conclusions remains an integral part of human progress.
