Lutz Graf Schwerin von Krosigk facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ludwig Schwerin von Krosigk
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Krosigk in 1932
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| Leading Minister of Germany | |
| In office 2 May 1945 – 23 May 1945 |
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| President | Karl Dönitz |
| Preceded by | Joseph Goebbels |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Minister for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 2 May 1945 – 23 May 1945 |
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| Leading Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Arthur Seyß-Inquart |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 1 June 1932 – 23 May 1945 |
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| Chancellor | Franz von Papen Kurt von Schleicher Adolf Hitler Joseph Goebbels |
| Leading Minister | Himself |
| Preceded by | Hermann Dietrich |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Johann Ludwig von Krosigk
22 August 1887 Rathmannsdorf, Duchy of Anhalt, German Empire |
| Died | 4 March 1977 (aged 89) Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, West Germany |
| Political party | Nazi Party (1937–1945) |
| Spouse |
Ehrengard von Plettenberg
(m. 1918) |
| Relations | Beatrix von Storch (granddaughter) |
| Children | 9 |
| Parents | Erich Adolf Wilhelm (father) Luise Rosalie Ludmilla (mother) |
| Alma mater | University of Halle University of Lausanne Oriel College, Oxford |
| Occupation | Officer, jurist, politician |
| Civilian awards | Golden Party Badge |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  German Empire |
| Branch/service | Imperial German Army |
| Rank | Oberleutnant |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Military awards | Iron Cross, 1st class |
Johann Ludwig "Lutz" Graf Schwerin von Krosigk (born Johann Ludwig von Krosigk; 22 August 1887 – 4 March 1977) was an important German government official. He served as the Minister of Finance for Germany from 1932 to 1945. In May 1945, he also acted as the de facto Leading Minister for a short time.
He was a conservative politician who was not part of a specific party at first. He became Minister of Finance in 1932. He continued in this role under different leaders, including Adolf Hitler. His ministry was involved in actions that led to harm for many people.
Schwerin von Krosigk was one of the few officials who served in the government from Hitler's rise to power until his death. He became a member of the Nazi Party in 1937. After World War II, he was put on trial and found responsible for his role in the government's actions. He was sentenced to prison but was released early. Later, he became an author.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Johann Ludwig von Krosigk was born on August 22, 1887. His family were traditional Lutheran Protestants. His father, Erich Adolf Wilhelm, came from an old noble family. His mother, Luise Rosalie Ludmilla, was a countess. In 1925, he was adopted by Alfred Wilhelm Detlof Graf von Schwerin. He then took the name Johann Ludwig Graf Schwerin von Krosigk.
Krosigk studied law and political science at the University of Halle and the University of Lausanne. He also studied at Oriel College, Oxford in England as a Rhodes Scholar.
During World War I, Krosigk served in the German Army. He reached the rank of Lieutenant and received the Iron Cross, a military award. In 1918, he married Ehrengard Freiin von Plettenberg. They had nine children together. In 1922, he became a senior government official. By 1929, he was in charge of the budget department at the finance ministry.
His Time in Government
Becoming Minister of Finance
In 1932, Franz von Papen chose Krosigk to be the national Minister of Finance. He kept this job under Kurt von Schleicher and throughout the time of Nazi rule. Some members of his family tried to act against Adolf Hitler, but Krosigk himself did not. He was not often seen in public. After 1938, he mostly focused on his ministry.
Krosigk stayed in his role as a representative of the conservative movement. He later said he stayed to prevent "worse things" from happening. However, he also supported many of the Nazi Party's policies. This included actions that targeted Germany's Jewish community.
During World War II
From 1939, Krosigk's ministry was involved in actions that led to the seizure of property from Jewish people. They also handled money in ways that were not allowed.
In February 1945, Krosigk wrote a letter about keeping Germany's factories safe. He believed that keeping industries would help Germany make friends with the Western Allies after the war. It is not clear if his ideas influenced others.
In his final will, Hitler chose Krosigk to remain as finance minister. This was for a government led by Joseph Goebbels. After Hitler's death, Reichspräsident Karl Dönitz asked Krosigk to become Chancellor. Krosigk said no, but he accepted the role of "Leading Minister" the next day. On May 2, 1945, he spoke to the German people. He was one of the first to use the phrase "Iron Curtain" for Europe. This phrase later became famous because of Winston Churchill.
The new German government's power was limited to a small area around Flensburg. This was near the Danish border. This government was called the Flensburg government. Dönitz and Schwerin von Krosigk tried to make a peace agreement with the Western Allies. At the same time, they continued to fight the Soviet Army. On May 7, 1945, Dönitz allowed Germany to officially surrender to the Allies. This happened in Rheims. On May 23, 1945, the Flensburg Government was ended by General Dwight D. Eisenhower. Its members were arrested.
After World War II
Krosigk was put on trial at Nuremberg. This was along with other important members of the Nazi government. In 1949, he was found responsible for his role in the government's actions, including handling property taken from victims. He was sentenced to ten years in prison. However, he was released early in 1951.
In his later years, Schwerin von Krosigk wrote several books. These books were about economic policy and his own life.
Schwerin von Krosigk passed away on March 4, 1977, in Essen, West Germany. He was 89 years old.
His oldest daughter, Felicitas-Anita, is the mother of Beatrix von Storch. Beatrix von Storch is a member of the German Parliament.
Works
- Es geschah in Deutschland, 1951.
- Die große Zeit des Feuers – Der Weg der deutschen Industrie, 3 volumes, 1959.
- Alles auf Wagnis – der Kaufmann gestern, heute und morgen, 1963.
- Persönliche Erinnerungen, memoirs, 3 volumes, 1974.
- Staatsbankrott (Studie über die deutsche Finanzpolitik von 1920 bis 1945), 1975.
- Memoiren (short version of Persönliche Erinnerungen), 1977.
See also
In Spanish: Lutz Schwerin von Krosigk para niños
