Alfred von Tirpitz facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Alfred von Tirpitz
Von Tirpitz in 1903
Born	(1849-03-19)19 March 1849 Küstrin, Province of Brandenburg, Prussia (today Kostrzyn nad Odrą, Poland)
Died	6 March 1930(1930-03-06) (aged 80) Ebenhausen, Bavaria, Germany
Buried	Munich Waldfriedhof
Allegiance	Kingdom of Prussia  North German Confederation  German Empire
Service/branch	Prussian Navy  North German Federal Navy  Imperial German Navy
Years of service	1869–1916
Rank	Grand admiral
Commands held	Torpedo Inspectorate SMS Preussen SMS Württemberg East Asia Squadron Imperial Naval Office
Battles/wars	Franco-Prussian War World War I
Awards	Pour le Mérite Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle Friedrich Order Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order

Alfred Peter Friedrich von Tirpitz (19 March 1849 – 6 March 1930) was a very important German grand admiral. He served as the Secretary of State for the German Imperial Naval Office from 1897 to 1916. This office was in charge of the powerful German Imperial Navy.

Before Tirpitz, the German states, including Prussia, did not have a large navy. Starting in the 1890s, Tirpitz transformed the small Imperial Navy into a strong, world-class force. This new navy was even able to challenge Britain's powerful Royal Navy.

However, during World War I, the German fleet, known as the High Seas Fleet, could not break Britain's control of the seas. This control allowed Britain to block Germany's trade, hurting its economy. The biggest sea battle, the Battle of Jutland, was a small win for Germany in terms of tactics, but a failure in the overall war strategy.

As the war continued, Tirpitz strongly supported using unrestricted submarine warfare. This policy meant sinking enemy ships without warning. This approach eventually led Germany into conflict with the United States. By early 1916, Tirpitz was removed from his position and never held power again.

Alfred von Tirpitz's Early Life and Family

Tirpitz was born in Küstrin (now Kostrzyn in Poland) in the Prussian region of Brandenburg. His father, Rudolf Tirpitz, was a lawyer and later a judge. Alfred grew up in Frankfurt (Oder). He later wrote that he was not a very good student when he was a child.

Tirpitz spoke English very well. He was so comfortable in Britain that he sent his two daughters, Ilse and Margot, to a school there called Cheltenham Ladies' College.

In 1884, he married Maria Augusta Lipke. They had four children: Max, Wolfgang, Ilse, and Margot. In 1900, he was given the noble title "von," so his name became Alfred von Tirpitz. His son, Wolfgang, was captured during World War I after his ship, SMS Mainz, was sunk. His daughter Ilse married a diplomat named Ulrich von Hassell. He was involved in a group against Hitler and sadly died in 1944.

Alfred von Tirpitz's Naval Career

Tirpitz joined the Prussian Navy almost by chance when a friend decided to join. He liked the idea and became a naval cadet at age 16 in 1865. He studied at the Kiel Naval School.

A year later, Prussia was at war with Austria. Tirpitz became a midshipman and served on a sailing ship. In 1866, Prussia became part of the North German Confederation, and Tirpitz joined its new navy.

In 1869, he became a sub-lieutenant and served on the ship SMS König Wilhelm. During the Franco-Prussian War, the Prussian Navy was much smaller than the French. So, Tirpitz's ship stayed anchored, which was embarrassing for the navy. In his early career, Germany and Great Britain were friendly. German ships often visited British ports. Tirpitz noted that Plymouth in Britain was more welcoming than Kiel in Germany. It was also easier to get good supplies there. At this time, the British Royal Navy helped the Prussian Navy develop, and German officers respected their British counterparts.

Developing Torpedoes and Torpedo Boats

When Germany became a unified country in 1871, the navy changed its name to the German Imperial Navy. Tirpitz was promoted several times. In 1877, he was chosen to visit the Whitehead Torpedo factory in Italy. After that, he was put in charge of the German torpedo section, which later became the Torpedo Inspectorate.

By 1879, a working torpedo was created, but Tirpitz felt it often missed its target. He then focused on developing torpedo boats to launch these weapons. He worked with Leo von Caprivi, who was in charge of the navy. Caprivi thought torpedo boats would be used for defense against France. But Tirpitz started planning how to use them to attack French ports. Tirpitz later said his time with torpedo boats was "the eleven best years of my life."

Building a Stronger German Navy

In 1887, Tirpitz's torpedo boats escorted Prince Wilhelm to Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee in Britain. This was the first time Tirpitz met Wilhelm. Tirpitz was promoted to captain in 1888.

In 1890, he became chief of staff of the Baltic Squadron. One day, the Kaiser (Emperor Wilhelm II) asked senior naval officers how the navy should grow. Tirpitz suggested building battleships. The Kaiser liked this idea. Nine months later, Tirpitz moved to Berlin to work on a new plan for a large fleet.

Tirpitz believed the best fighting force was a group of eight identical battleships. He thought more ships should be added in groups of eight. This idea was different from the Navy State Secretary, Admiral Friedrich von Hollmann, who preferred a mix of ships, including cruisers for long-distance travel. Tirpitz argued that cruisers would not be safe in a war without enough battleships to support them.

Tirpitz became chief of the naval staff in 1892 and a rear admiral in 1895.

In 1895, Tirpitz was frustrated that his ideas were not being used. The Kaiser asked him to create a plan for building ships. This plan was given on January 3, 1896. But at the same time, there were conflicts in Southern Africa between pro-British forces and pro-German Boers. The Kaiser wanted cruisers that could operate far away to help. Hollmann tried to get money from the Reichstag (the German parliament) for a building program, but he failed.

The Kaiser decided to appoint Tirpitz instead. However, Hollmann had just gotten money for one battleship and three large cruisers. So, Tirpitz was sent to lead the German East Asia Squadron in the Far East. He was promised the secretary position later.

Tirpitz was told to find a good location for a new German port. He chose Kiautschou/Tsingtao in China. Germany later took control of this area in 1898. In March 1896, the Reichstag reduced the navy's budget, and Hollmann resigned. Tirpitz was called back home and offered the job of Secretary of the Imperial Navy Office (Reichsmarineamt). He arrived in Berlin in June 1897.

Secretary of the Imperial Navy Office

On June 15, 1897, Tirpitz presented his plan for the German fleet to the Kaiser. He said the main enemy was Great Britain. He believed the main area for conflict would be between Heligoland and the Thames. He planned for two squadrons of eight battleships each, plus a flagship and two reserve ships. This would cost 408 million marks and be finished by 1905.

This plan was new because it clearly stated what the navy needed. It also set out a building program for seven years that neither the Reichstag nor the navy could change. It also suggested a change in German foreign policy: Britain, which had been friendly, was now seen as an official enemy. The Kaiser approved the plan.

Tirpitz then worked with a team to write a naval bill for the Reichstag. He tried to get support from many people, including former Chancellor Prince Bismarck. He also visited kings and dukes in different German states. On October 19, the bill was sent to the Reichstag.

Tirpitz tried to be very helpful with the members of parliament. He was patient and friendly, believing that if he explained everything carefully, they would agree. He invited groups to private meetings and arranged tours of ships and shipyards. The Kaiser and Chancellor said the fleet was only for Germany's protection, but strong enough to make even a major power think twice before attacking.

Tirpitz also created a press office in the Navy Ministry. This office made sure journalists were well-informed and answered their questions. They even provided ready-to-use articles for newspapers. University professors spoke about how important it was to protect German trade. The Navy League was formed to make the public excited about Germany becoming a world naval power. They argued that colonies overseas were essential for Germany to have its "place in the sun." The League grew from 78,000 members in 1898 to 1.1 million by 1914.

Some people in the Reichstag disagreed. They felt that spending on the navy was a waste and that money should go to the army instead. Others worried that if Germany started building a navy to match Britain, there would be no end to it. Some Social Democrats argued that it was crazy to think such a fleet could take on the Royal Navy.

But by the end of the debates, most of the country was convinced. On March 26, 1898, the bill passed with a majority of 212 to 139 votes. Everyone around the Kaiser was very happy. Tirpitz's influence grew, and he remained a central figure in the government for the next 19 years.

The Second Naval Bill

A year after the first bill passed, Tirpitz said he was happy with it. The planned fleet would still be smaller than France's or Britain's, but it could deter Russia in the Baltic Sea.

However, things changed quickly. In October 1899, the Boer War started in South Africa between the British and the Boers. In January 1900, a British ship stopped three German mail ships, searching for war supplies for the Boers. Germany was very angry, and this gave Tirpitz a chance to propose a second Naval Bill.

The second bill aimed to double the number of battleships from 19 to 38. This would create four squadrons of eight ships each, plus two flagships and four reserve ships. This plan would last 17 years, from 1901 to 1917, with the last ships finished by 1920. This would make Germany's fleet the second-largest in the world. Although the bill did not name specific enemies, it clearly aimed to challenge a greater naval power, which everyone knew meant Britain. The bill passed on June 20, 1900.

The second bill included Tirpitz's "risk theory." This theory said that even if the German fleet was smaller than Britain's, it would be strong enough to cause significant damage in a battle. This damage would be so great that Britain would not be able to maintain its other naval duties around its vast empire. Therefore, Britain would avoid a fight with Germany to protect its empire.

Tirpitz privately knew there was a risk: Britain might attack the growing German fleet before it became too strong. He thought this dangerous period would end around 1904 or 1905. However, Britain responded by building even more ships, and the "danger period" lasted until World War I began. As a reward for the successful bill, Tirpitz was given the noble title "von" in 1900.

Tirpitz found his relationship with the Kaiser difficult. Wilhelm respected him for building the navy, but he was unpredictable and often came up with wild ideas. Tirpitz had to carefully manage these ideas to stick to his goals.

Three more naval bills were passed in 1906, 1908, and 1912. These bills added more cruisers and battleships to the fleet, often in response to diplomatic problems or fears of British actions.

The first naval law did not worry Britain much. But the second naval law caused serious alarm. Britain ordered eight new battleships in response. The regular and efficient way Germany was building high-quality ships, especially those designed for the North Sea, worried Britain. This led Britain to change its policy of staying isolated and start looking for allies against Germany. British ships from around the world were brought back to home waters, and more new ships were built.

The Tirpitz Plan and its Impact

Tirpitz's plan to make Germany a world power through naval strength is known as the Tirpitz Plan. Through several Fleet Acts, by 1914, Germany had the second-largest navy in the world. It included 17 modern dreadnoughts (large battleships), 5 battlecruisers, 25 cruisers, 20 older battleships, and over 40 submarines. This massive building program worried the British and started a costly naval arms race. It also pushed Britain into closer alliances with France.

Tirpitz's "risk theory" suggested that if the German Imperial Navy became strong enough compared to Britain's Royal Navy, Britain would avoid a fight. If they did fight, the German Navy would damage the British so much that Britain would risk losing its naval dominance. Since Britain relied on its navy to control its empire, Tirpitz believed Britain would choose to keep its naval power and let Germany become a world power, rather than risk losing its empire. This theory led to the naval arms race between Germany and Britain in the early 1900s.

Grand Admiral von Tirpitz in 1915

Tirpitz's theory assumed that Britain would have to send its fleet into the North Sea to blockade German ports. However, because of Germany's location, Britain could blockade Germany by blocking the entrances to the North Sea in the English Channel and between Bergen and the Shetland Islands. A German admiral once said, "If the British do that, the role of our navy will be a sad one," which turned out to be true for the surface fleet during World War I.

In the end, Tirpitz's risk theory failed. It forced Britain to take actions it might not have otherwise. To focus its fleet against Germany, Britain made agreements with other countries. The Anglo-Japanese treaty of 1902 allowed Britain to move its battleships from China back to Europe. The Japanese navy then destroyed the Russian Navy in the war of 1904–05, removing Russia as a naval threat. Britain also reduced its Mediterranean Fleet to strengthen its navy at home, which led to friendly agreements like the Entente Cordiale with the French.

By pushing Britain to make peace with its old rivals, Tirpitz actually made his own policy fail. Britain was no longer threatened by France, and Japan had removed Russia as a naval threat. Within a few years, Germany faced almost the entire strength of the Royal Navy. This meant that in any future conflict, Britain would likely be on the side of Germany's enemies, and the world's most powerful navy would be focused on Germany.

Tirpitz was made a Großadmiral (grand admiral) in 1911.

World War I and Resignation

Despite the large navy he helped build, Tirpitz believed that World War I started too soon for Germany to successfully challenge the Royal Navy. The 1900 Fleet Act had planned for a 17-year building schedule.

Since his position was administrative, he could not directly command naval operations. Tirpitz became a strong supporter of unrestricted U-boat (submarine) warfare. He believed this could break Britain's control over Germany's sea trade routes.

In 1915, the German Navy briefly stopped following "prize rules" (rules about how to sink merchant ships). But this policy was quickly reversed after the public outcry over the sinking of the Lusitania, a passenger ship. When the restrictions on submarine warfare were not lifted, Tirpitz disagreed with the Kaiser and felt he had to resign on March 15, 1916. Eduard von Capelle replaced him.

Even though he supported unrestricted U-boat warfare, Tirpitz had not made submarine construction a high priority when he led the Naval Office. This decision later led to a severe shortage of new U-boats by 1917.

After World War I

Time cover, 2 June 1924

In September 1917, Grand Admiral Tirpitz helped start the Fatherland Party (Deutsche Vaterlandspartei). This was a nationalist party that wanted to continue the war and gain new territory. It brought together right-wing groups who opposed a negotiated peace. At its peak in 1918, the party had about 1.25 million members.

Tirpitz believed that Germany needed to annex new territory in the west, like the Belgian ports of Zeebrugge and Ostend, to become a world power. He wanted Germany to fight vigorously without worrying about diplomatic consequences and strongly supported unrestricted submarine warfare.

The Fatherland Party stopped operating by February 1919.

From 1908 to 1918, Tirpitz was a member of the Prussian House of Lords.

After Germany's defeat in World War I, Tirpitz supported the right-wing German National People's Party (Deutschnationale Volkspartei, or DNVP). He served as a member of the Reichstag (the German parliament) for this party from 1924 to 1928.

Alfred von Tirpitz died in Ebenhausen, near Munich, on March 6, 1930. He is buried in the Waldfriedhof cemetery in Munich.

Commemoration

The Tirpitz Range on the island of New Hanover in Papua New Guinea is named after Alfred von Tirpitz.

Honours

• Honorary doctorates from the universities of Göttingen, 16 June 1913; and Greifswald
• Honorary doctorate of engineering from the Technische Hochschule Charlottenburg
• Freeman of the city of Frankfurt (Oder), 15 January 1917
• The German battleship Tirpitz.
• Tirpitzia, a genus of plants from China and Asia (the family Linaceae), was named after him in 1921 by Johannes Gottfried Hallier.

German orders and decorations

Foreign orders and decorations

Works

• Erinnerungen (1919, online)
  • My memories (Vol I, 1919)
  • My memories (Vol II, 1919)

See also

In Spanish: Alfred von Tirpitz para niños

• Anglo-German naval arms race
• German interest in the Caribbean