BOSCH, ROBERT
Publié le 22/02/2012
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BOSCH, ROBERT (1861–1942), industrialist; famous for applying socialism
in the workplace. Born in Ulm, he studied precision-tool manufacturing; during
extensive travels he became familiar with English socialism. In 1886 he founded
the Werksta¨ tte fu¨r Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik (Workshop for Precision
Mechanics and Electrical Engineering), a Stuttgart firm specializing in electrical
ignition systems. A friend of Karl Kautsky, leader of the SPD, he revolutionized
his factory in 1906 by introducing Germany's first eight-hour workday. With
their forty-eight-hour workweek, his 580 workers matched the earnings of counterparts
at other factories, whether they were working for hourly wages or by
the piece.
Bosch, an uncle of the well-known industrial chemist Carl Bosch,* preached
compromise before confrontation. Although he was supportive of the Republic,
he formed no political attachment and rejected a 1919 offer to become Reconstruction
Minister. He held memberships on Wu¨rttemberg's Socialization Commission
and the National Economic Council* and also sat on the presidium of
RdI. To preclude further radicalization, he promoted both the eight-hour workday
and creation of Workers' Councils* for industry. In 1929 he was one of
two industrialists (the other was Hermann Bu¨cher of AEG) to sign a protest
condemning the plebiscite against the Young Plan.* His industrial standing did
not dilute his progressive vision, an anomaly in Germany. The near-monopoly
position of his firm was owed to the quality of its product. At the end of the
1920s, buoyed by his company's finances, he diversified in the face of an economic
slump. Amidst the depression* he defended free enterprise against a
growing protectionist disposition. Moreover, to alleviate unemployment, he recommended
shortening the workday to six hours.
A liberal and individualist—he hoped to achieve an understanding with
France—Bosch opposed Nazism. When he was invited in February 1933 to meet
Hitler* at the home of Hermann Go¨ring,* he politely declined. The Third
Reich's most prominent industrial dissenter, he regularly hired people dismissed
by other firms due to race or political opinion. When Carl Goerdeler* was
relieved in 1937 as Oberbu¨rgermeister of Leipzig, Bosch made him his financial
advisor. Until his death, he facilitated the escape of Jews* from Germany.
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