Operational Continuity Quotes
General Motors in Germany had started manufacturing trucks for the Nazi regime. Ford also was building dual use—military and civilian—vehicles. A number of American corporations, with World War II having started in Europe, owned subsidiaries in Nazi Germany which under Nazi laws and regulations were required to produce products for the Nazi government. IBM machines were being used to keep track of all the anti-Nazis, Jews and other perceived “enemies”. Nazi contracts were very profitable and most American firms in Germany just closed their eyes to what the Nazi regime was doing and even fired their Jewish workers rather than close down their German factories. With this horrible experience with large corporations helping what was to be our enemy, after WW2 Congress passed legislation which allows the President to make it illegal for American firms to trade with, manufacture in, or provide technical assistance to Countries that are potential enemies.
