Vesting GAF Corporation: The Roosevelt Administration's Decision to Americanise I. G. Farben's American Affiliates in World War II

Author: O'Reilly, Declan

Source: History and Technology, Volume 22, Number 2, June 2006 , pp. 153-186(34)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

The wartime seizure by the US government of General Aniline & Film Corporation (GAF) was intended to create a powerful US owned business, able to compete with its former affiliate, the German behemoth I. G. Farben. The US government justified its actions by a careful study of the failed World War I sequestration of the German chemical industry. Considerable friction developed between key government agencies, including the Treasury and the Justice departments who both believed that they should control enemy property in wartime. In the end, President Roosevelt, mindful of the problems in World War I over enemy property, decided to resurrect the Alien Property Custodian to control seized property for the duration of the war. However, US law allowed legal redress for wrongfully seized property and this enabled I. G. Chemie to begin its long and ultimately successful lawsuit with the US government over ownership of GAF.

Keywords: I. G. Farben; I. G. Chemie; GAF; Sequestration; Chemical Industry; Alien Property Custodian

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/07341510600629290

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