Hitler’s American Friends: Henry Ford and Nazism
https://www.quickanddirtytips.com/education/history/hitler-s-american-friends-henry-ford-and-nazism
In Part 4 of our miniseries on Hitler's American Friends from author Bradley Hart, we learn how one of the most recognized names in American industry—Henry Ford, founder of Ford Motor company—closely aligned himself with Hitler and the Nazi party in the late 1930s.
By Bradley Hart Unknown History October 25, 2018
Over the past century, Ford has become one of the most iconic American brands, from its line of pickup trucks to the Mustang. The company’s first car, the Model T, broke ground and helped create the modern automotive industry. Yet what few people know today is that the company’s founder, Henry Ford, not only held deeply prejudiced personal views but also became one of Hitler’s key American friends in the years before the war. To its credit, the Ford Motor Company has made some efforts to come to terms with this troubling history, but there is still more work to be done. As we’ll see, Ford’s views were more than just a private matter—they translated into real-world action that had a major effect on Germany’s military preparedness before World War II. Certainly, Ford was far from the only American businessman who was enticed by Nazi Germany. His rival—General Motors—had a German division of its own and manufactured aircraft parts for the Luftwaffe.
As I discuss in my book Hitler's American Friends, some of its executives held views that went beyond pure business interests and bordered on Nazi sympathies. Yet Ford’s story is unique not just because he did extensive business in the Third Reich, but because of the influence he held over Hitler’s other American friends in the United States. This industrial leader was far more than just a mere businessman—he was also an American icon who, like his friend Charles Lindbergh who we’ll discuss in the final part of this miniseries, would become practically obsessed with Hitler and Nazism.
Ford was born on a farm in 1863. After pursuing a career in engineering, he founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 and introduced the revolutionary Model T five years later. Ford’s manufacturing genius was beyond question — by introducing innovations such as the assembly line and standardized parts, he was able to vastly speed up production of his vehicles and drive down prices. Ford scandalized business opinion by voluntarily paying his workers a whopping $5 per day in 1914, which was more than double their previous wages. At the same time, Ford used his own workers as a market for his vehicles and encouraged them to buy Model Ts for themselves. It worked, and just 10 years after the Model T was released, it accounted for half the cars in the United States. It goes without saying that Ford became a very, very wealthy man, arguably the most famous industrialist in the country.
The Führer once indicated his desire to help 'Heinrich Ford' become 'the leader of the growing Fascist movement in America.'
Far-right Tommy Robinson declares himself a ‘Zionist’ in leaked video
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20190215-far-right-tommy-robinson-declares-himself-a-zionist-in-leaked-video/
"If there's a war... I will be there...and I will fight for Israel", UK far right activist Tommy Robinson vows to go to war for Israel
Far-right, anti-Muslim, self-declared Zionist Tommy Robinson has boasted of his love for Israel in leaked video footage, in which the founder of the English Defence League (EDL) can be seen bragging about “scoring” drugs anywhere in the world.
The video – which is thought to have been filmed in Bologna, Italy last month – shows the 35-year-old right-wing activist walking down the street on his own.
In the selfie video Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, brags: “No matter where I’ve gone in the world, I score. I will show you tonight.” He then calls for a taxi to visit a pub, presumably to demonstrate that he can access drugs wherever he goes.
Boasting of his unique talent to “score” Robinson, despite a number of criminal convictions including cocaine possession, says: “I’ve gone to Qatar, I’ve gone to Doha and scored gear on the sesh [a night out] while they’re all praying.”
In another section of the video, Robison can be seen singing that he is “king of the whole Islam race,” before declaring his love for Israel.
The far-right campaigner has become something of a favourite among notorious pro-Israel groups. Some have even admitted to paying for Robinson’s legal costs and “bringing foreign pressure on the UK government to ensure Mr. Robinson’s safety and eventual release”.
The footage ends with Robinson saying: “Palestine! F*ck Palestine. Why would you support Palestine,” adding: “If there was a war tomorrow, which probably there would be, I would be there in the front line fighting for Israel”.
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