Krupp was the name of one of Germany’s leading industrial families. The Krupp firm became one of the world’s major manufacturers of steel, machinery, and weapons.
Friedrich Krupp founded the Krupp works in Essen in 1811. The firm struggled at first and faced competition from British products. But under Friedrich’s son, Alfred, it slowly found a market for high-quality steel rolls, steel railway tires, and axles. In 1844, the Krupp works displayed its first musket barrels. The superior quality of Krupp steel made possible the production of outstanding artillery. This in turn led to the firm’s close association with Prussia, the most powerful German state. Krupp cannons helped Prussia defeat Austria in 1866 and France in 1870, establishing the firm’s reputation as the leading arms maker in Europe.
After the 1860’s, weapons dominated Krupp production. Alfred Krupp expanded the factories in Essen, bought companies overseas, and introduced a welfare plan for workers. After 1900, the firm also built ships and diesel engines. Huge Krupp guns called “Big Berthas” helped Germany in World War I (1914-1918). The guns were named after Alfred’s granddaughter. Her husband, Gustav, who took the Krupp name, became head of the firm in 1906.
After Germany’s defeat in World War I, the Krupp works were dismantled. But Gustav Krupp rebuilt the firm in the 1920’s. He secretly produced new arms, even though Germany had been forbidden to rearm. He also supported the rise of German dictator Adolf Hitler. Krupp works provided vital equipment for Germany’s armed forces in World War II (1939-1945). After the war, the Allied victors seized the firm. Alfried Krupp, Gustav’s son, was found guilty of war crimes. He regained control of the firm in 1951 and rebuilt it. Financial problems ended family control of the Krupp works in 1968. In the 1990’s, the Krupp company merged with another industrial giant, Thyssen, to form ThyssenKrupp, a major holding company with steel, automotive, and machinery operations worldwide.
