Ford's Dark Legacy of Anti-Semitism
Ford was admired by Adolf Hitler, even mentioned in his book of racist ideas, Mein Kampf, for reasons darker than his industrial empire of automobiles. Henry was infamous for his expression of anti-Semitic feelings through his newspaper, the Dearborn Independent. His racist and bigoted ideas were published here for about 700,000 readers to see. The effect it had on him was very damaging. American Jews resented him and took their business elsewhere. Many even took a stand his expression of anti-Semitic ideas. In 1927, a Jewish lawyer and farm cooperative organizer named Aaron Sapiro sued Henry Ford for his defamation of Jews. Ford could not appear in court because he had been in a car accident, which was suspected of being faked, but he did agree to a private settlement with Sapiro. He issued a public apology for the years of criticism on Jews and agreed to shut down the Dearborn Independent by the end of 1927.
Although Ford repented for his attacks on Jews, he left a legacy that further anti-Semites would promote. His ideas collected in The International Jew, a series of anti-Semitic publications lived on, promoting intolerance despite Ford's apology. This also brought Ford many problems and criticism for his intolerant ideas and, because he was an industrial giant, made him one of America's most infamous anti-Semites.
Although Ford repented for his attacks on Jews, he left a legacy that further anti-Semites would promote. His ideas collected in The International Jew, a series of anti-Semitic publications lived on, promoting intolerance despite Ford's apology. This also brought Ford many problems and criticism for his intolerant ideas and, because he was an industrial giant, made him one of America's most infamous anti-Semites.
A copy of The International Jew, a series of racist accusations published by the Dearborn Independent.