Behind the Bastards: Part Two – Alfred Hugenberg: The Elon Musk of Weimar Germany

Released on April 10, 2025 by Cool Zone Media and iHeartPodcasts

Introduction to Alfred Hugenberg

In this riveting episode of Behind the Bastards, hosts Robert Evans and Amanda Montel delve deep into the life and influence of Alfred Hugenberg, a pivotal yet often overlooked figure in German history. Drawing parallels to modern-day moguls like Elon Musk, the episode paints Hugenberg as a media magnate whose ambitions and actions significantly shaped the trajectory of Weimar Germany and paved the way for the rise of Nazism.

Hugenberg's Role During World War I

Robert Evans opens the discussion by highlighting Hugenberg's early involvement in World War I, emphasizing his role akin to a modern hedge fund manager who directs the investments of the wealthy elite.

Robert Evans [03:02]: "Hugenberg has become a bookie for war on a continental scale... He's taking everybody's cash, all the cash of the people who are betting on we're gonna keep all this shit."

Hugenberg's bullish stance on German expansion is evident as he advocates for extending German territories in Africa and leveraging newly acquired regions for economic gains. This perspective is rooted in previous colonial atrocities, such as the genocide in Namibia, which Hugenberg was fully aware of and supported.

Robert Evans [06:20]: "It's a genocide. This is universally recognized as a genocide... Germany was doing genocides well before Hitler got into power."

Media Empire and Propaganda

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to Hugenberg's acquisition and manipulation of the German media landscape. By 1920, Hugenberg had established control over approximately 1,400 newspapers and the largest movie studio in Germany, giving him unparalleled influence over public opinion.

Robert Evans [22:57]: "August Schurl Company's two big publications are Der Tag... now they're Hugenberg's personal property."

Through strategic investments and the creation of shell companies, Hugenberg systematically bought out struggling newspapers during hyperinflation, ensuring that his conservative and nationalist narratives dominated the media. This control allowed him to propagate messages that aligned with his political ambitions, effectively shaping the cultural and political discourse of the time.

Robert Evans [26:17]: "We're gonna pump money into this not because it'll make us money, but because it'll change the culture in a way that makes us money."

Relationship with the Nazi Party

Hugenberg's intricate relationship with the Nazi Party is a focal point of the discussion. Initially, Hugenberg viewed the Nazis as useful allies to crush the left, despite harboring personal disdain for Hitler.

Robert Evans [52:33]: "Hitler's really good at tweaking the amygdala of his followers and it promising them vengeance. And if you can do those two things effectively, you can get about anything you want out of a population."

Hugenberg funneled significant financial support to the Nazis, believing that aligning with them would ensure his dominance in German politics. However, his underestimation of Hitler's political acumen and charismatic leadership led to unforeseen consequences.

Hugenberg's Influence and Political Ambitions

As Hugenberg's media empire flourished, so did his political aspirations. By 1928, he had effectively bought and transformed the German National People's Party into a more extreme right-wing entity, advocating for the restoration of the monarchy, rejection of the Treaty of Versailles, and aggressive territorial expansion.

Robert Evans [45:06]: "Hugenberg's most immediate target was Chancellor Heinrich Bruning, who he believed was pushing Weimar inexorably towards socialism."

His attempts to control the political narrative further marginalized centrist and liberal voices, consolidating his power base among the educated elite and industrial magnates.

Hugenberg's Downfall and Legacy

Despite his initial successes, Hugenberg's inability to fully control Hitler and the Nazi Party ultimately led to his downfall. His rigid political strategies and failure to anticipate Hitler's maneuvers resulted in his marginalization within the new Nazi regime. By late June 1933, Hitler had effectively sidelined Hugenberg, stripping him of his economic influence and forcing him into a peripheral role.

Robert Evans [67:07]: "After cantankerous negotiation, a deal was reached. Hugenberg would deliver Hitler the chancellorship in exchange for Hugenberg being given a cabinet post... Immediately, everyone gets scared when Hitler winds up directly in power."

Hugenberg's legacy is that of a media mogul whose quest for power inadvertently facilitated the rise of one of history's most notorious dictators. His strategic manipulations of media and politics serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unbridled ambition and the influence of media in shaping historical outcomes.

Robert Evans [59:46]: "He sounds like a real dick. Ah, you know, they... He's allowed to keep his possessions and his business, and he dies, you know, peacefully on March 12, 1951."

Notable Quotes

• Robert Evans [01:03]: "What's the one thing everyone agreed in on in 1913 and today? Too many young people in Europe. You know, we're gonna knock that problem out right away. Just make a new western front."

• Amanda Montel [07:45]: "Shit. Yeah." (reacting to historical parallels)

• Robert Evans [16:25]: "Well, you shouldn't. They're monsters."

• Robert Evans [50:25]: "Hitler's really good at tweaking the amygdala of his followers and it promising them vengeance."

• Robert Evans [67:07]: "After cantankerous negotiation, a deal was reached. Hugenberg would deliver Hitler the chancellorship in exchange for Hugenberg being given a cabinet post..."

Conclusion

Behind the Bastards: Part Two – Alfred Hugenberg: The Elon Musk of Weimar Germany offers an in-depth exploration of a man whose actions significantly impacted the course of history. Through meticulous research and engaging storytelling, Robert Evans and Amanda Montel shed light on Hugenberg's manipulation of media and politics, highlighting the perilous intersection of wealth, power, and ideology. This episode serves as a thought-provoking examination of how individual ambitions can shape—and sometimes destabilize—entire nations.

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