German War Bonds

[Flt.Lt.Andrew]

If I were a German in WWII and I gave the government a war bond, would I have ever got my money back?



A.

[Felix/FFDS]

If you were a German citizen, in Germany, and gave the (then) German government and bought a war bond, probably not.

If you were a German citizen, living in the US and bought a US War Bond, most probably, yes....

[WebbPA]

Interesting question, and I've been wondering why someone didn't research it and give you a definitive answer.  Maybe they are all as lazy as you and I.

Since we are open to wild speculation I suggest:

1. Bonds would have been purchased in pre-war Reichmarks.   In 1945 a Reichmark was worth less than its value in toilet paper.  Hence any bonds would be worthless.

2. A government bond is only as good as the government backing it.  If the government ceases to exist the bonds are worthless - compare American Confederate currency and bonds, which are worth their historical value but nothing else.

3. It is possible that that the post-war government may have have accepted some responsibility to repay bonds.  This is wild speculation but I doubt that the Marshall Plan would have included repaying Nazi bonds.

[myshelf]

i doubt anyone even tried to collect, as owning war bonds would indicate to be a supporter of the NAZI cause.

[WebbPA]

I think you misunderstand the mindset of the average German citizen.

The average German citizen joined the Nazi party because he didn't have any choice.  He couldn't keep his job if he didn't.  He bought war bonds because it was the patriotic or obligatory thing to do.

Being a member of the Nazi party was no more significant than being a member of the Republican, Democratic, Labour, Liberal, etc. party except that if you weren't a member of the Nazi party you couldn't be employed and, in later years, would be presumed subversive.

If the average post-war German Nazi party member showed up at a bank seeking to cash in his bonds he would probably be told that they were worthless but nothing more.

[Hagar]

[quote]Interesting question, and I've been wondering why someone didn't research it and give you a definitive answer.

[WebbPA]

You could always use CSA (Confederate States of America) bonds as an example.

[myshelf]

[quote]I think you misunderstand the mindset of the average German citizen.

The average German citizen joined the Nazi party because he didn't have any choice.