The Ruhr question
The Ruhr question
The industrial power of the Ruhr
French memorandum on future economic and financial arrangements for the Ruhr (1945)
TexteIn this anonymous note, officials at the French Foreign Office consider the political motivations and the economic consequences of the implementation of a system of international control for the Ruhr.
Letter from Joseph Bech to André Clasen (Luxembourg, 9 May 1946)
TexteOn 9 May 1946, Joseph Bech, Luxembourg Foreign Minister, sends a letter to André Clasen, Luxembourg Ambassador to London, in which he outlines the attitude of the Luxembourg Government concerning the future status of the Ruhr.
Summary record of the Council of Foreign Ministers (15 May 1946)
TexteOn 15 May 1946, a summary record of the Council of Foreign Ministers outlines the negotiations on the German question and the Ruhr.
‘The German problem: obtaining reparations …' from Le Patriote Mosellan (28 July 1946)
TexteOn 28 July 1946, one year after the end of the Second World War, the Metz-based Communist weekly newspaper Le Patriote Mosellan speculates on the possible solutions to the problem of controlling the industrial power of the Ruhr and criticises the Anglo-American policies in this area.
The economic importance of the Ruhr (Pathé Journal, 1946)
VidéoIn 1946, Pathé Journal (Paris) describes the economic and military importance of the extremely prosperous industrial area of the Ruhr. The strategic importance of this region leads the United States, the United Kingdom, the Benelux countries and France to set up an International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR) in 1949 to monitor the production and sale of steel, coal and coke from the region.
‘The Ruhr’ from Die Welt (4 February 1947)
TexteOn 4 February 1947, the German daily newspaper Die Weltspeculates on France’s intentions regarding the issue of the control of the Ruhr’s industrial potential.
Cartoon by Low on the US plan to increase the industrial production capacity of the Ruhr (5 August 1947)
ImageOn 4 August 1947, British cartoonist David Low illustrates France’s concern at the proposal from the military governor of the US zone in Germany, Lucius D. Clay, to raise the level of German steel industry in the Bizone (the British and US occupation zones, merged on 1 January 1947). Two years after the end of the Second World War, France particularly fears a revival of the Ruhr’s industrial power. From left to right: Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Secretary, and Georges Bidault, French Foreign Minister.
‘The Ruhr and Europe’ from Une semaine dans le monde (16 August 1947)
TexteOn 16 August 1947, the French weekly newspaper Une semaine dans le monde expresses its concern at the United States’ decision to raise the level of coal and steel production in the Ruhr and fears a reorganisation of Western Europe based on German industrial production.
‘The Ruhr’ from the Kölnische Rundschau (12 June 1948)
TexteOn 12 June 1948, the German daily newspaper Kölnische Rundschau emphasises the importance of the industrial potential of the Ruhr for the economic recovery of West Germany and for European industry as a whole.
Cartoon by Lang on the control of the Ruhr (13 November 1948)
Image‘… under protest from the French, on 10 November 1948 the Ruhr agreement is concluded … and passes into German trusteeship …’ On 13 November 1948, German cartoonist Ernst Maria Lang illustrates the decision by the British and American authorities of the Bizone to adopt a decree — Law No 75 — on the reorganisation and deconcentration of the steel and mining industries of the Ruhr. France, once again unhappy at being presented with a fait accompli, reiterates that it cannot accept giving a future German Government the right to settle the question of ownership of the Ruhr industries. Under the benevolent gaze of the United States (Uncle Sam), driving the ‘Ruhr’ car, the little ‘German Michel’ has got in the front seat so that it can take hold of the reins, while the two passengers, France (Marianne) and the United Kingdom (John Bull), are wary of the new role that has been given to West Germany.
Statement by Hervé Alphand (11 November 1948)
TexteOn 11 November 1948, the Head of the French delegation at the London Conference, Hervé Alphand, expresses concern at the repercussions of Law 75 on the regulation and management of the distribution of the Ruhr’s coal, coke and steel.
Memorandum from the French Foreign Ministry (Paris, 19 November 1948)
TexteOn 19 November 1948, the French Foreign Ministry sends a note to Baron Jules Guillaume, Belgian Ambassador to Paris, to protest against Law No 75, published on 10 November by the US and British military authorities without prior consultation of France, which determines a new status for the coal and steel industry of the Ruhr area.
The Ruhr question as seen by Le Patriote Mosellan (November–December 1948)
TexteIn its November–December 1948 issue, the Metz Communist weekly Le Patriote Mosellan harshly criticises the decision taken by the United States and the United Kingdom to give the Germans the right to settle the question of ownership of the Ruhr's steel and mining industries.
Production rates of German industry (1948)
ImageTable showing the monthly steel output in Germany in 1948 (in thousand tonnes).
Note from the Belgian Foreign Ministry (19 November 1948)
TexteOn 19 November 1948, Baron Hervé de Gruben, Director-General of Policy at the Belgian Foreign Ministry, clarifies the positions of Belgium and France on the monitoring and export of coal, coke and steel from the Ruhr, as well as on the activities of the International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR).
Resolution of the metalworkers’ and miners’ trade unions (15 March 1949)
TexteOn 15 March 1949, the representatives of the metalworkers’ and miners’ trade unions in Belgium, France, Germany, Luxembourg and the Netherlands adopt a resolution examining the organisation of the Ruhr industrial basin.
Léon Blum, L'oeuvre de Léon Blum
TexteEn 1948, l'ancien leader socialiste français Léon Blum, opposé au morcellement de l'Allemagne, suggère la socialisation du bassin minier et la création d'une "organisation européenne du charbon et de l'acier" en réponse au problème de la Ruhr.
Letter from Konrad Adenauer to Robert Schuman (26 July 1949)
TexteOn 26 July 1949, Konrad Adenauer writes to Robert Schuman to warn him of the harmful consequences of dismantling German factories, as demanded by the Allies.
Heavy industry in the Ruhr (1949)
ImageDespite the Allied bombings and the massive destruction suffered by the Ruhr Basin during the Second World War, West Germany manages to return rapidly to its pre-war production levels.
Demonstration against dismantling in Germany (7 June 1949)
ImageAfter the Second World War, workers in the Ruhr demonstrate against the dismantling of their factories by the Allied forces of occupation.
Dismantling the iron and steel industry
ImageThe dismantling of the Hoeder Smelting iron and steel plants ordered by the Allies provokes anger and incomprehension among German workers who brandish placards reading ‘We want to work, we will help you to rebuild Europe’ and ‘We appeal to Fifth Avenue. Our labour provides a livelihood for the families of 8 000 workers who are begging for bread’.
'The Ruhr has replaced the United States as France's main coal supplier' from Le Monde (11 May 1950)
TexteOn 11 May 1950, the French daily newspaper Le Monde gives an account of production at the German collieries situated in the Ruhr basin in the late 1940s.
The International Authority for the Ruhr
'London deal on Germany' from the Soviet news (16 June 1948)
TexteOn 16 June 1948, the periodical Soviet News condemns the conclusions of the Six-Power Conference held in London and deplores the agreement of principle which seeks to establish an International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR) so as to regulate coal and steel production in the area.
The International Authority for the Ruhr
Declaration of the Foreign Ministers (Warsaw, 24 June 1948)
TexteOn 24 June 1948, at the end of the Warsaw Conference attended by the Foreign Ministers of the USSR and the countries of Eastern Europe, a declaration is adopted condemning the measures adopted in London by the Six-Power Conference on Germany.
'The USA in the Ruhr' from the Süddeutsche Zeitung (16 November 1948)
TexteOn 16 November 1948, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung considers the consequences of dual US–British control over the German steel and coal industries of the Ruhr.
Final Communiqué of the Six-Power Conference on the establishment of the International Authority for the Ruhr (London, 28 December 1948)
TexteOn 28 December 1948, the representatives of the United States, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, meeting in London, decide to establish the International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR).
‘Control of the Ruhr’ from Le Monde< /ita> (29 December 1948)
TexteOn 29 December 1948, the French daily newspaper Le Monde comments on the decision taken by the representatives of the United States, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to establish the International Authority of the Ruhr (IAR) and outlines its main tasks.
Cartoon by Low on the plan to create an International Authority for the Ruhr (30 December 1948)
ImageOn 30 December 1948, two days after the London Conference, British cartoonist David Low illustrates the desire of the representatives of the United States, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom to create the International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR) in order to control steel and coal production and the commercial practices of the Europe’s most industrialised region. From left to right: George Marshall, US Secretary of State, Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, and Ernest Bevin, British Foreign Secretary.
'France has opted for Europe' from Le Monde (19 january 1949)
TexteIn the French newspaper Le Monde, Maurice Duverge explains how France, by considering the Ruhr Statute as a transition from occupied Germany towards an independent Germany, is moving in the direction of European federalism.
Law No 9 of the Allied High Commission for Germany (Bonn, 20 October 1949)
TexteOn 20 October 1949, six months after the establishment of the International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR), the Allied High Commission for Germany promulgates the law on the privileges and immunities of the IAR.
Session of the German Government (Bonn, 25 October 1949)
TexteIn the debates in the Bundestag, German Chancellor Konrad Adenauer declares himself in favour of Germany’s participation in the Ruhr Statute and recommends that a German representative be appointed.
Harry S. Truman with John J. McCloy and Dean Acheson (Washington, 23 January 1950)
ImageAs US High Commissioner in Germany from 1949 to 1952, John McCloy gives considerable support to the Schuman Plan. From left to right: Harry S. Truman, President of the United States, John McCloy and Dean Acheson, US Secretary of State, in discussion at the White House on 23 January 1950.
'The Ruhr Authority - "Six-Power Watchdog" ...' from the Süddeusche Zeitung (9 March 1950)
TexteOn 9 March 1950, the German newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung lists the reasons for the discontent of the German population regarding the Ruhr Statute and outlines the role of the International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR).
Problems arising from the establishment of an International High Authority (3 May 1950)
TexteIn this discussion paper of 3 May 1950, Jean Monnet considers the compatibility between the international control of the Ruhr and the establishment of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
Law No 27 on the reorganisation of the German coal and steel industries (16 May 1950)
TexteLaw No 27, adopted by the Allied High Commission on 16 May 1950 in Bonn, relates to the reorganisation of the German coal and steel industries and regulates the system of ownership with the aim of prohibiting concentrations of economic power and industrial cartels.
Cartoon by Leger on the Ruhr Statute (23 June 1950)
Image ‘Robert, where are you taking me?’ On 23 June 1950, following the proposals submitted by Robert Schuman, French Foreign Minister, for the establishment of a coal and steel pool in Europe, German cartoonist Peter Leger speculates on the future of the Ruhr Statute and the little ‘German Michel’, held prisoner and chained to his jailer Robert Schuman.
Carl Ophüls, From the International Authority for the Ruhr to the Schuman Plan
TexteOn 6 December 1951, Carl Friedrich Ophüls, Civil Administrator in the Federal Ministry of Justice, retraces the history of the International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR) from the time of its establishment in April 1949 to its dissolution upon the entry into force of the Schuman Plan for coal and steel.
Note on the relationship between the International Authority for the Ruhr and the European Coal and Steel Community (7 November 1950)
TexteAnonymous French note on the coexistence of the International Authority for the Ruhr and the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
Note on the ownership of the Ruhr mines and plants (Paris, 17 January 1951)
TexteOn 17 January 1951, the French delegation to the Schuman Plan Conference speculates on the sustainability of the regime of ownership of the Ruhr mines and plants in the context of the future entry into force of the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC).
Letter from Paul Leroy-Beaulieu to Alain Poher (13 April 1951)
TexteOn 13 April 1951, Paul Leroy-Beaulieu, Director-General of Economic and Financial Affairs at the High Commission of the French Republic in Germany, writes a letter to Alain Poher, French representative at the International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR), to inform him of the strong opposition from the German unions to the dissolution of the Deutscher Kohlenverkauf (DKV), the sole selling agency for Ruhr coal.
Letter from Franz Grosse to Pierre Uri (9 June 1951)
TexteOn 9 June 1951, Franz Grosse, Director of the German trade union Industriegewerkschaft Bergbau, outlines to Pierre Uri, French economic adviser at the National Planning Board, the decisions taken by the extraordinary assembly of German mining delegates concerning the reorganisation of the German coal sector.
Report by Albert Bureau on the demerging of the German steel industry (28 June 1951)
TexteOn 28 June 1951, Albert Bureau, Director of the Iron and Steel Industry in the French Ministry of Industrial Production, drafts a report on the implications of the demerging of the German iron and steel industry in the Ruhr industrial basin.
Proposals made by the German Trade-Unions Association (DGB) regarding the reorganization of the German Coal Sales Organisation (20 August 1951)
TexteOn 20 August 1951, the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) submits its proposals relating to the future of the Deutsche Kohle-Verkaufs-Gesellschaft (DKV), the sole selling agency for Ruhr coal, which it would like to see changed rather than abolished.
Protocol relating to the Agreement ending the Ruhr Agreement (Paris, 19 October 1951)
TexteOn 19 October 1951, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom and the United States adopt a protocol in Paris which terminates the activities of the International Authority for the Ruhr.
Letter from Guy Mollet to Robert Schuman (Paris, 6 November 1951)
TexteOn 6 November 1951, Guy Mollet, Secretary-General of the French Socialist Party (SFIO), is concerned about the Federal German Government’s decision to delay the dismantling of the selling agency of German coal from the Ruhr (DKV).
Memorandum from Jean Monnet to Robert Schuman (Paris, 15 February 1952)
TexteIn late February 1952, French Foreign Minister Robert Schuman is due to meet his British and American counterparts to discuss the future of Germany. In a memorandum sent to Mr Schuman two weeks earlier, Jean Monnet informs him of the progress made towards breaking up the Ruhr cartels.
Agreement relating to the suspension of the activities of the International Authority for the Ruhr (27 May 1952)
TexteOn 27 May 1952, in the light of the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community, the United States, Belgium, France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom sign an agreement in Paris which terminates the activities of the International Authority for the Ruhr.
The International Authority for the Ruhr
'The Ruhr in the new Germany' from Le Monde (21 August 1952)
TexteOn 21 August 1952, the French daily newspaper Le Monde describes the industrial power of West Germany’s Ruhr basin.
Letter from Jean Monnet to Robert Schuman (Paris, 1 July 1952)
TexteIn a letter to Robert Schuman dated 1 July 1952, Jean Monnet gives a progress report on the measures for breaking up the industrial monopolies and the abolition of the Ruhr cartels, which were scheduled to be undertaken before the establishment of the common market for coal and iron ore on 10 February 1953.
'Freedom for industry in the Ruhr' from Die Welt (25 July 1952)
TexteOn 25 July 1952, the German daily newspaper Die Welt considers the economic future of the Ruhr in the wake of the imminent dissolution of the International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR), an Allied organ for the regulation of industrial production in this region.
‘Freedom for the Ruhr' from Bulletin des Presse- und Informationsamtes der Bundesregierung (27 July 1952)
TexteOn 27 July 1952, the Bulletin of the Press and Information Office of the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG) welcomes the signing, by the Western Powers, of an agreement providing for the revocation of the Ruhr Statute and the gradual dissolution of the International Authority for the Ruhr (IAR).