For more than 160 years, the IHK organization has stood for economic self-administration, regulatory orientation, and representation of the interests of the German economy. The history of the Deutscher Handelstag (DHT) and its successor organizations shows how closely the development of German economic policy is linked to this commitment – from early debates on currency and tariffs to the present-day role of the Deutsche Industrie‑ und Handelskammer (DIHK).
Currency, Tariffs, Measures, and Weights: The Beginnings of 1861
Currency, tariffs, uniform measures, and weights – these topics were already on the agenda at the first session of the Deutscher Handelstag. Founded on May 13, 1861, in Heidelberg by 91 chambers of commerce and cooperatives, the DHT aimed to discuss and achieve improvements for the economy.
At the Pulse of Economic Policy
After the founding of the German Empire in 1871, DHT's focus shifted to rules around postal services and transport, exports, and particularly protective tariffs. It intensified its consultations with the young imperial government. On some issues, there were quite different views among members.
The DHT accompanied the economic policy developments of the respective era – from the spread of the telephone, through the colonial policy of the German Empire, to the introduction of the Civil Code on January 1, 1900, and its implications for the economy.
DHT and IHKs in Difficult Times
During the First World War, the DHT initially joined in the general euphoria. In 1918, it was renamed "Deutscher Industrie- und Handelstag" (DIHT) and further professionalized due to economic policy requirements. Occupation of the Ruhr, inflation, the "Golden Twenties," and the world economic crisis – the IHK organization had to overcome all this.
Particularly the reconstruction of international relations for the economy was successfully addressed by the DIHT. In 1931, its president Franz von Mendelssohn became the first German representative to head the International Chamber of Commerce. This period also saw the increased establishment of foreign chambers of commerce. In 1926, the DIHT initiated the Vocational Training Committee – this topic has since held a prominent position in its work.
Synchronization and Dissolution of IHKs during the Nazi Era
The Nazi era significantly changed the role and activities of the chambers of industry and commerce – as they were called since 1924. The "Reichsführer des Kampfbundes des gewerblichen Mittelstandes," with the help of the SS, occupied the offices of the DIHT, and the National Socialists took over leadership in several IHKs. DIHT president Bernhard Grund, elected in 1932, achieved a temporary reversal of the Nazi occupation through his protest to Adolf Hitler. However, by the summer of 1933, the DIHT plenary assembly was synchronized, and the leadership replaced. After the "reorganization" of the commercial economy in 1935, the DIHT was transferred to the newly created Reichswirtschaftskammer as the "Association of Chambers of Industry and Commerce" and practically became insignificant. The IHKs were dissolved in 1943 and incorporated into the Gauwirtschaftskammern.
Commitment to the Social Market Economy
Shortly after the end of the Second World War, the IHKs resumed their activities locally. The Allied occupying powers quickly recognized the value of economic self-administration for reconstruction. Already in July 1945, IHKs in the British occupation zone formed the first working group. In 1947, it was expanded to include IHKs in the American occupation zone. The DIHT, re-established on October 27, 1949, in Ludwigshafen, vehemently advocated the design of IHKs as self-administration institutions of the economy with a public-law basis. It also actively promoted the social market economy and the so-called "third way" between planned economy and capitalism.
True to its tradition, the DIHT pushed for worldwide free trade in the following decades, thereby shaping the redesign of foreign economic relations of the then Federal Republic of Germany. It also continuously opposed overly extensive state regulations.
Support After Reunification
After reunification, the DIHT once again played a "reconstruction role" in the re-establishment of IHKs in the new states. Economic self-administration also functioned now. Since then, it has repeatedly proven its full legitimacy in German economic policy. Following the decision for Berlin as the German parliamentary and government seat, the DIHT moved to Berlin in 1999. Two years later, its name was changed to "Deutscher Industrie- und Handelskammertag (DIHK)."
Reform to Public-Law Corporation
With the entry into force of the Second IHKG Amendment Act on August 12, 2021, the transition phase for reform began. Effective January 1, 2023, the previous DIHK e.V. association was legally transformed into a public-law corporation.
This reform marks a new organizational and legal structure: As a public-law corporation, the DIHK represents the overall interests of the commercial economy at national, European, and international levels, while simultaneously coordinating and promoting the network of foreign chambers of commerce and delegation offices.
Organizationally, a "Council for Integrity and Arbitration" was established, focusing on transparency, minority protection, and comprehensive involvement of IHKs and their member companies.
Contact
Wirtschaftshistoriker und Direktor der Stiftung Rheinisch-Westfälisches Wirtschaftsarchiv zu Köln
