The largest enterprise in the capitalist world between 1920 and
1932, the Deutsche Reichsbahn (German National Railway) was at the
center of events in a period of great turmoil in Germany. In the
first detailed history of this important organization, Alfred
Mierzejewski presents a sophisticated analysis of the Reichsbahn's
operations, finances, and political and social roles. In addition,
he uses the story of the Reichsbahn to gain new perspectives on
modern German economic and political history.
Mierzejewski describes and analyzes the beginnings of the national
railway in Germany and the problems that it faced. He examines the
Reichsbahn's noncapitalistic, "commonweal" approach to economic
management and shows how the railway was used to hold Germany
together, especially in the face of Bavarian particularism.
Mierzejewski's account also provides unparalleled insight into
Germany's reparations policies, demonstrating that Germany was
fully capable of paying the Dawes annuities and that the
government's claims that reparations paid by the Reichsbahn hurt
both the railway and Germany were groundless. A second volume will
cover the period from 1933 to 1945.