Eugen Schiffer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eugen Schiffer
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| Vice-Chancellor of Germany | |
| In office 3 October 1919 – 27 March 1920 |
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| Chancellor | Gustav Bauer |
| Preceded by | Bernhard Dernburg |
| Succeeded by | Erich Koch-Weser |
| Deputy Minister President of Germany | |
| In office 13 February 1919 – 19 April 1919 |
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| Minister President | Philipp Scheidemann |
| Preceded by | Matthias Erzberger |
| Succeeded by | Bernhard Dernburg |
| Minister of Justice | |
| In office 10 May 1921 – 22 October 1921 |
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| Chancellor | Hermann Müller Constantin Fehrenbach Joseph Wirth |
| Preceded by | Rudolf Heinze |
| Succeeded by | Gustav Radbruch |
| In office 3 October 1919 – 26 March 1920 |
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| Chancellor | Gustav Bauer |
| Preceded by | Otto Landsberg |
| Succeeded by | Andreas Blunck |
| Minister of Finance | |
| In office 13 February 1919 – 19 April 1919 |
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| Minister President | Philipp Scheidemann |
| Preceded by | Siegfried von Roedern |
| Succeeded by | Bernhard Dernburg |
| Member of the Reichstag (Weimar Republic) |
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| In office 24 June 1920 – 5 January 1925 |
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| Constituency | Magdeburg |
| (German Empire) | |
| In office 7 February 1912 – 9 November 1918 |
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| Constituency | Magdeburg 5 |
| Member of the Weimar National Assembly | |
| In office 6 February 1919 – 21 May 1920 |
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| Constituency | Magdeburg |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 14 February 1860 Breslau, Kingdom of Prussia |
| Died | 5 September 1954 (aged 94) West Berlin, West Germany |
| Political party | German Democratic Party |
| Alma mater | University of Breslau |
| Occupation | Politician |
Eugen Schiffer (born February 14, 1860 – died September 5, 1954) was an important German lawyer and politician. He was a key figure in the Weimar Republic, which was Germany's government after World War I. Schiffer served as the Minister of Finance and also as a deputy head of government in 1919. He later became the Minister of Justice multiple times. Schiffer helped start the German Democratic Party (DDP) and, after World War II, co-founded another liberal party.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Eugen Schiffer was born in Breslau, which was then part of Prussia, on February 14, 1860. His father, Bernhard Schiffer, was a merchant. Eugen studied law at universities in Breslau, Leipzig, and Tübingen.
After finishing his studies, he started working in the Prussian legal system in 1880. He held different positions in cities like Zabrze and Magdeburg. By 1906, he was a senior judge in Berlin. In 1888, Schiffer married Bertha Buttermilch, and they had three children. In 1896, he changed his religion from Jewish to Protestant.
Political Beginnings
During World War I, Schiffer worked as a legal advisor for the War Ministry. In 1917, he became an Undersecretary at the Treasury, which managed the country's money.
He was also a member of the Prussian parliament and the Reichstag, which was the German parliament at the time. He was known for his strong speaking skills. Schiffer believed the parliament should have more power, but he also supported the monarchy (having a king or emperor).
A Leader in the Weimar Republic
After the German Revolution in 1918, which ended the monarchy, Schiffer became a key politician in the new Weimar Republic.
First Government Roles
From 1918 to 1919, Schiffer helped create the German Democratic Party (DDP). He was a leader for his party in the Weimar National Assembly (the group that wrote the new constitution) and later in the Reichstag.
In February 1919, he became the Minister of Finance and a deputy to the head of government, Philipp Scheidemann. During this time, Schiffer helped create a temporary tax system. He resigned in April 1919 due to personal reasons and disagreements.
Facing Challenges: The Kapp Putsch
In October 1919, Schiffer returned to the government. He became the Minister of Justice and was again a deputy to the head of government, now called the Vice-Chancellor. He worked on reforming the civil service.
In March 1920, there was an attempted coup called the Kapp-Putsch. Most of the government leaders fled the capital, but Schiffer stayed. He tried to negotiate with the people leading the coup. Because of his actions during this time, he was forced to resign by the Social Democratic Party after the coup ended.
Later Government and International Work
From May to October 1921, Schiffer served as the Minister of Justice once more. He also played an important role in international affairs. In 1921-1922, he led the German team in talks with other countries about the Upper Silesia region. These talks led to an agreement that protected trading rights and minority rights in that area.
From 1922 to 1923, he represented Germany at the International Court of Justice in The Hague, which is a court that settles disagreements between countries. In 1924, he supported accepting the Dawes Plan, which was a plan to help Germany pay back its war debts.
In 1925, Schiffer left the DDP party and retired from active politics.
Life After Politics
After leaving politics, Eugen Schiffer focused on leading the Berliner Verwaltungsakademie. This was the first higher education institution for German civil servants, which he had helped create. He also worked as a lawyer and advised a bank.
In 1928, his book about the German justice system sparked a public discussion about how to improve it. During the time of the Nazis, Schiffer faced difficulties. In 1943, he and his daughter were forced to move to a Jewish hospital in Berlin.
After World War II, Schiffer helped found a new liberal party called the Liberaldemokratische Partei Deutschlands (LDPD) in the part of Berlin controlled by the Soviet Union. For three years, he led the central administration of Justice under the Soviet military government. Later, he moved to West Berlin.
Eugen Schiffer passed away in Berlin on September 5, 1954.
See also
In Spanish: Eugen Schiffer para niños
