Meinoud Rost van Tonningen: Dutch Nazi Collaborator Who Financed Hitler’s War

Meinoud Rost van Tonningen was one of the most committed Dutch Nazi collaborators and supporters of Adolf Hitler, rising to considerable political and economic power during the German occupation of the Netherlands.Born in the Dutch East Indies in 1894, Rost van Tonningen trained as a lawyer and gained prominence through his work for the League of Nations before entering politics in the 1930s. Increasingly attracted to National Socialism, he joined the Dutch National Socialist Movement (NSB) and quickly emerged as one of its most radical and influential figures.Following the German occupation of the Netherlands, Rost van Tonningen was given positions of considerable authority. He helped integrate the Dutch economy into the German war effort and supported policies that strengthened Nazi control over the country. His ideological commitment to National Socialism and close connections with senior SS figures distinguished him even among other Dutch collaborators.As the Second World War progressed, Rost van Tonningen became an outspoken advocate of a German-dominated Europe and remained loyal to the Third Reich even as Germany approached defeat.This documentary examines Meinoud Rost van Tonningen’s transformation from an international official into one of the Netherlands’ most notorious Nazi collaborators, his role in the occupation, his relationship with the SS and Nazi leadership, and the controversy surrounding his death in 1945.This episode is part of the series High Ranking Fascist Collaborators: Politicians.Watch the full documentary and explore hundreds of historical films at:WorldHistory.tv