Aryanization
In May 1933, ADEFA - The Association of 'German' Aryan Clothing Manufacturers - was established in Berlin under the Reich Ministry of Economy to direct the Aryanization of the fashion industry.
The ADEFA label in German clothing guaranteed the buyer that the garment had been manufactured "by Aryan hands only."
Aryanization refers to the forced transfer of Jewish-owned businesses to German "Aryan" ownership. The Aryanization process had two stages: the so-called "voluntary" stage, from which Jews were excluded from German economic life, and the compulsory stage that began immediately after Kristallnacht.
In this final stage, all Jewish-owned businesses that had not already been " Aryanized " were liquidated within a few weeks and transferred to a government trustee. Jews who fled were forced to "donate" all their remaining property to the state.
"The Germans wanted the business. They wanted everything we had - they took the house away. We had to live with another family in a one and a half room apartment." - Manfred Carsb, a Vancouver resident whose family never received compensation for the loss of their elegant business, Carsch House in Dusseldorf, Germany.
Ironically, Magda Goebbels and Emmy Goring wives of highlyplaced Nazi officials, continued to buy from their favourite Jewish designers until official Aryanization in the late 1930s made it impossible. Even after Aryanization had begun, the Nazis placed orders for uniforms with Jewish manufacturers. By 1939, however, all areas of clothing manufacture were "Judenrein" free of Jews.
Jews received little or no compensation in the expropriation of their property and businesses. Even after the war most of these forced transfers were not overturned or compensated.
"Elegance will now disappear from Berlin along with the Jews." - Magda Goebbels, wife of Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Minister of Propaganda
Definitions
- ADEFA - The Association of 'German' Aryan Clothing Manufacturers was established in Berlin under the Reich Ministry of Economy in May, 1933. Its goal was to direct the Aryanization of the Fashion industry. The ADEFA label assured the buyer that the garment was manufactured "by Aryan hands only."
- Aryan - Term perverted by the Nazis to mean a so-called master race. The idealized Aryan was blond, blue-eyed, tall and muscular. The original term refers to a people speaking a Indo-European dialect.
- Hermann Goring - Hitler's deputy and designated successor, responsible For the German economy and the confiscation of Jewish property in 1937. Following Kristallnacht, Goring was placed in charge of the "Jewish Question.''
- Goring Four Year Plan - The practical and legal preparations for the Aryanization of Jewish property.
Examples
- Jews To Lose All Property (see below). April 28, 1938. The process of Aryanization as reported in the Victoria daily paper. Courtesy The Daily Colonist.
- ADEFA Clothing Logo. The ADEFA label guaranteed the German buyer that a garment had been "made by Aryan hands only." Reproduced from Berliner Konfection und Mode Die Zerstorug einer Tradition, 1836-1939.
- Made in Canada Label.
Jews to Lose All Property
Will be taken over by German Government in due course
BERLIN. April 27 - A high authority tonight disclosed the German Government plans to take over all Jewish property "In due course of time" and to encourage Jew to emigrate from Germany.
This disclosure was made In explanation of a new decree requiring the approximately 750,000 Jews In Greater Germany to register their fortunes and properties both at home and abroad.
The decree was issued today by Field Marshal Hermann Wilhelm Goering, No. 2 Nazi, as director of Germany's four¥year plan to gain economic Independence.
On Legal Footing
"The demo is intended to place on. a lewd footing the gradual elimination of the Jew from German business life, in that he is to be assured that the properties declared are actually his and will not simply be taken away from him by unauthorized action," the authority said.
Once the exact figures are known continued, he continued, the Government can proceed with its plan.
Significance was seen In a paragraph of the decree which said:
"The controller of the four-year plan (Goering) may take such measures as may be deemed fit to Insure utilization of properties fall. Ing under these terms in consonance with Interests of German economy."
Examining Labels
What does the "Made in Canada" label tell consumers about the garment? Some people feel that by manufacturing or purchasing Canadian goods, they are demonstrating national pride or supporting local industries. Compare its purpose to the ADEFA label. Imagine a coat with the ADEFA label. What story might it tell? Explain how a simple artifact, like the ADEFA label, can help us understand the Holocaust?
Read and Discuss
Read the newspaper article, Jews to Lose All Property. The article reports that Jews were "encouraged" to emigrate. Why do you think the word "encourage" was used? Why do you think the Nazis legalized the Aryanization process?