Thread by @JoshWalkos

Mega Thread: The History of I.G. Farben

A German chemical conglomerate with a fascinating and controversial past. Founded in 1925, the company played a significant role in the development of the German economy and had a dark side during WWII. #history #IGFarben

💼 I.G. Farben was formed as a merger of six leading German chemical companies: BASF, Bayer, Hoechst, Agfa, Chemische Fabrik Griesheim-Elektron, and Chemische Fabrik vorm. Weiler Ter Meer. The merger aimed to consolidate the German chemical industry and increase its… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

🚀 The company quickly became a global powerhouse in the chemical industry. They developed synthetic gasoline, rubber, and materials like Zyklon B, which was later misused in WWII. I.G. Farben also pioneered the production of synthetic dyes and pharmaceuticals.

🌐 I.G. Farben's influence extended beyond Germany, as they built relationships with international companies like Standard Oil and DuPont. These connections facilitated technological exchanges and allowed I.G. Farben to gain a foothold in the global market.

⚗️ One of I.G. Farben's most significant innovations was the development of the Haber-Bosch process. This method of synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen was crucial in producing fertilizers that increased global agricultural production.

🌱 I.G. Farben was also instrumental in the invention of polymer materials like polyurethane and polystyrene, which revolutionized the plastics industry and provided.

🔬 During the 1930s, I.G. Farben became entwined with the Nazi regime. They benefited from government contracts and the seizure of foreign assets. The company's growth during this period was fueled by their involvement in the production of military supplies, chemicals, and… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

On a side note this diagram shows shows the connections IG Farben had to Wall Street and influential American institutions.

If you would like to explore these connections further I suggest reading “Wall Street and the Rise of Hitler” by Anthony C. Surtton. It is an impeccably researched book that exposes the fact that without these American institutions, Hitler could have never archive.org/details/wallst…… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

🏭 Perhaps the darkest chapter in I.G. Farben's history is their involvement in the Holocaust. They built and operated a synthetic rubber and fuel plant at Auschwitz, known as Buna-Werke, using forced labor from concentration camp prisoners.

💀 I.G. Farben's production of Zyklon B, originally developed as a pesticide, took a horrific turn when it was used in gas chambers to murder millions of innocent people during the Holocaust.

One post-war investigation by the U.S, War Department concluded that:

“Without I. G.'s immense productive facilities, its intense research, and vast international affiliations, Germany's prosecution of the war would have been unthinkable and impossible; Farben not only directed… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

In a letter from IG Farben to the camp of Aushwitz show the cold evil practiced by the company:

“In contemplation of experiments with a new soporific drug, we would appreciate your procuring for us a number of women . . . . We received your answer but consider the price of 200… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

Images from the forced labor facilities.

Images from the forced labor facilities.

🕵️‍♀️ After WWII, the Allies dissolved I.G. Farben due to its collaboration with the Nazi regime. The Nuremberg Trials saw 24 I.G. Farben executives charged with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Some were found guilty and received prison sentences.

💔 In 1952, I.G. Farben's assets were divided among its original founding companies: BASF, Bayer, and Hoechst (later becoming Sanofi). These companies still exist today and continue to play a significant role in the global chemical and pharmaceutical industries.

In modern times Bayer Schering AG became the largest producer of bith control pills and recently acquired Monsanto who is responsible for Round-Up the weed killer that has been accused of poisoning the entire earth via glyphosate which has been proven to be carcinogenic.

A paper from The BMJ discussing the potential carcinogenic effects of glyphosate.

Bayer also teamed up CureVac to produce their own mRNA vaccine but the trials flopped with only 47% effectiveness, whatever that means.

fiercepharma.com/manufacturing/…

BASF built the chemical factory IG Auschwitz the largest chemical factory in the world at the time. It also produced Zyklon-B which was used to exterminate prisoners of Auschwitz. It assisted with with Bayers acquisition of Monsanto by purchasing its cnbc.com/amp/2018/05/29…… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

BASF is also a leading player in the production of Lipid nanotechnology.

catalent.com/catalent-news/…

In September 1955, Hoechst appointed Friedrich Jaehne, a convicted war criminal from the Nuremberg trials, as chairman of its supervisory board.

Also, a year later, Bayer appointed Fitz ter Meer, another convicted war criminal, as chairman of its board.

🕊️ The legacy of I.G. Farben serves as a reminder of the powerful impact corporations can have on society. While I.G. Farben contributed to scientific advancements and the growth of the German economy, their involvement in WWII atrocities left an indelible stain on their… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

🌎 Today, the successor companies of I.G. Farben—BASF, Bayer, and Sanofi—have tried to distance themselves from their controversial past. They focus on producing products in the fields of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture worldwide. Combined they own the largest market… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

🌟 The story of I.G. Farben is a complex one, illustrating how innovation and progress can be overshadowed by dark chapters in history. It's essential to remember the lessons of the past and strive for ethical business practice. Unfortunately it’s seems these lessons haven’t been… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

📖 Want to learn more about I.G. Farben and its impact on history? Here are some resources to check out:

•"The Crime and Punishment of I.G. Farben" by Joseph Borkin

•"The Devil's Chemists" by Josiah E. DuBois Jr.

•"Hell's Cartel: IG Farben and the Making of Hitler's War… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

🔁 If you found this thread on I.G. Farben informative and thought-provoking, please share it with others who might be interested and consider giving me a follow. #thread #IGFarben #historylesson

Here is a list to explore the other threads I have made. 👇🏻

https://twitter.com/joshwalkos/status/1614403299356147712?s=46&t=vA2OW8Ya3YtNHv_brmZjmg

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https://twitter.com/joshwalkos/status/1636438415636873231