British Documents on the Morgenthau Plan and Post-War Policy Toward Germany (1942–1945) (Irving File 73)

Scope and Content:
The file comprises a curated set of official memoranda, reports, telegrams, and correspondence concerning the future of Germany during and immediately after the Second World War. Topics include:

• Reparations and Restitution: Proposals for dismantling German factories, removing industrial equipment, and restitution of property.
• Economic Disarmament: Schemes to reduce Germany’s industrial capacity, with special focus on the Ruhr and Saar regions.
• The Morgenthau Plan: U.S. Treasury proposals for the pastoralization of Germany, circulated to British officials, with British critiques and counter-proposals.
• British Cabinet Debates: Memos by Churchill, Cherwell, and Treasury officials evaluating Morgenthau’s proposals and shaping Britain’s own post-war economic policy.
• Occupation Planning: Drafts of occupation directives, including restrictions on German industry, raw materials, and labour allocation.
• Allied Coordination: Communications between British and U.S. leadership, including Roosevelt and Morgenthau, documenting disagreements and compromises.

System of Arrangement:
Arranged broadly in chronological order (1942–1945), reflecting the evolving Allied debate over the dismantling of Germany’s economy and the shift from punitive measures (Morgenthau Plan) toward later reconstruction policies.

Disclaimer

This file is a reproduction of historical documents created by British and American government officials between 1942 and 1945. The content reflects the policies, opinions, and language of its time, some of which may now be considered outdated, offensive, or controversial.

The Irving Collection makes these materials available for research and educational purposes only. Inclusion in the archive does not imply endorsement of the views expressed. Researchers are advised to approach the documents in their full historical context and to consult related archival sources where necessary.

Condition  Note

This file is a microfilm-based reproduction of British and American government documents dating from 1942–1945. The overall legibility is good to fair: most pages are typewritten memoranda or printed Cabinet papers that remain clear and readable.

• Strong legibility: The majority of typescripts and official circulation copies are sharp and fully usable for research.

• Variable quality: Some carbon copies are faint; others display blurred ink, light impressions, or dark microfilm shadows at the page edges.

• Annotations: Occasional handwritten marginal notes (such as “Keep,” initials, or geographic references) are present; most are legible but sometimes faint.

• Duplicates / Blanks: A small number of duplicated pages and microfilm blanks are included, typical of archival reel reproductions.

• Stability: No physical deterioration is apparent in the digital copy, though the microfilm origin means tonal contrast is uneven across sections.

Research usability: Despite minor defects, the file is sufficiently clear for academic study, with no major loss of content.

Sample-British Documents on the Morgenthau Plan and Post-War Policy Toward Germany (1942–1945) (Irving File 73)