The Morgenthau Plan

Morgenthau's Role

Henry Morgenthau Jr., the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, played a pivotal role in proposing the Morgenthau Plan, driven by his concerns over a resurgent Germany. Despite not being directly responsible for foreign policy, he was deeply invested in the fate of European Jews and alarmed by the State Department's proposal to quickly rebuild Germany. Morgenthau's plan aimed to prevent Germany from becoming a military threat again by advocating for its complete demilitarization and deindustrialization 1. He famously stated, "I'm doing this as an American citizen, and I'm going to continue to do so, and I'm going to stick my nose into it until I know it is all right."

I'm doing this as an American citizen, and I'm going to continue to do so, and I'm going to stick my nose into it until I know it is all right.

--- Henry Morgenthau Jr.

His persistence led to tensions within the U.S. government, notably with Secretary of State Cordell Hull, who was frustrated by Morgenthau's intrusion into foreign affairs 2.

   

Key Proposals

The Morgenthau Plan proposed radical measures to ensure Germany could never again pose a military threat. It called for the complete dismantling of Germany's industrial base, particularly in the Ruhr area, which was the heart of its industrial power. The plan also suggested dividing Germany into two autonomous states and transferring territories to neighboring countries 3.

The Ruhr, the industrial heartland of Germany, would be completely de-industrialized and reverted back to an agricultural state.

--- Gary Arndt

These measures aimed to transform Germany into an agrarian society, stripping it of its ability to wage war. The plan was controversial and faced opposition, notably from Winston Churchill, who feared it would leave Europe with a "dead body" chained to it 4.