Between War Profits and War Costs Krupp in the First World War

Whoever takes a closer look at the German war and armament economy during the First World War cannot fail to come across Fried. Krupp AG in Essen. The size and complexity of the company, its controlling position within the Ruhr industries and its outstanding importance as a weapons manufacturer all lifted Krupp above the mass of the German industrial companies and gave the firm an important position. It was in particular in the later years of Wilhelm II. that Krupp was almost a national institution. The Kaiser’s participation in the fates of the company and family leant strength to this position.