Konstantin von Neurath facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Konstantin von Neurath
|
|
|---|---|
Neurath as a Reichsprotektor in 1939
|
|
| Reichsminister of Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 1 June 1932 – 4 February 1938 |
|
| President | Paul von Hindenburg Adolf Hitler (as Führer) |
| Chancellor | Franz von Papen Kurt von Schleicher Adolf Hitler |
| Preceded by | Heinrich Brüning |
| Succeeded by | Joachim von Ribbentrop |
| Protector of Bohemia and Moravia | |
| In office 21 March 1939 – 24 August 1943 |
|
| Appointed by | Adolf Hitler |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Wilhelm Frick |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Konstantin Hermann Karl von Neurath
2 February 1873 Kleinglattbach, Kingdom of Württemberg, German Empire |
| Died | 14 August 1956 (aged 83) Enzweihingen, Baden-Württemberg, West Germany |
| Political party | Nazi Party |
| Spouse |
Marie Auguste Moser von Filseck
(m. 1901) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Law |
| Alma mater | Friedrich Wilhelm University University of Tübingen |
| Cabinet | Hitler Cabinet |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  German Empire |
| Branch/service | Army |
| Years of service | 1914–1916 |
| Unit | Grenadier Regiment "Queen Olga" |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards | Iron Cross Wound Badge |
| Criminal conviction | |
| Criminal status | Deceased |
| Conviction(s) | Conspiracy to commit crimes against peace Crimes of aggression War crimes Crimes against humanity |
| Trial | Nuremberg trials |
| Criminal penalty | 15 years imprisonment |
Konstantin von Neurath (born February 2, 1873 – died August 14, 1956) was a German diplomat. He worked for the Nazi government and was Germany's Foreign Minister from 1932 to 1938.
Neurath came from a noble family in Germany. He started his career as a diplomat in 1901. He fought in World War I and received the Iron Cross medal. After the war, he worked as a minister in Denmark and an ambassador in Italy and Britain.
In 1932, he became Foreign Minister. He kept this job even when Adolf Hitler became Chancellor. In the early years of Hitler's rule, Neurath helped make Hitler's plans seem more acceptable to other countries. He helped Germany break parts of the Treaty of Versailles. This treaty had set rules for Germany after World War I.
Neurath was later replaced by Joachim von Ribbentrop in 1938. From 1939 to 1943, Neurath was the Reich Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. This meant he was Hitler's representative in that area.
After World War II, Neurath was put on trial at the Nuremberg Trials. He was found guilty of serious crimes and sent to prison for 15 years. He was released early in 1954 due to health reasons. He died two years later at his family home.
Contents
Early Life and Career
Konstantin von Neurath was born in Kleinglattbach, Germany. His family was noble and had a history of public service. His grandfather was a Foreign Minister. His father was a member of the German parliament.
Neurath studied law at universities in Tübingen and Berlin. After finishing his studies, he worked for a law firm. In 1901, he joined the government's Foreign Office in Berlin. In 1903, he moved to the German embassy in London. He worked there as a Vice-Consul and later as a Legation Counsel.
In 1901, Neurath married Marie Auguste Moser von Filseck. They had two children, a son named Konstantin and a daughter named Winifred.
During World War I, Neurath served as an officer in the army. He was badly wounded in 1916. He received the Iron Cross medal for his service. He also worked in the German diplomatic service in the Ottoman Empire. There, he saw the terrible events of the Armenian genocide. In 1917, he briefly left diplomacy to lead the government of Württemberg.
Political Career and Role in Government
In 1919, Neurath returned to diplomacy. He became the German Minister to Denmark. From 1921 to 1930, he was the ambassador to Italy. He then became the head of the German embassy in London in 1930.
In 1932, Neurath was called back to Germany. He became the Foreign Minister under Chancellor Franz von Papen. He kept this important job when Kurt von Schleicher became Chancellor. Then, he continued as Foreign Minister when Adolf Hitler took power in January 1933.
In the early years of Hitler's rule, Neurath helped make Hitler's foreign policy seem more acceptable. He was involved in Germany leaving the League of Nations in 1933. He also helped with the Anglo-German Naval Agreement in 1935. This agreement allowed Germany to build up its navy. He was also involved in the remilitarisation of the Rhineland. This was when Germany sent troops into an area that was supposed to be demilitarized.
In 1937, Neurath officially joined the Nazi Party. He was also given an honorary rank in the SS. This was a powerful Nazi organization.
In November 1937, Hitler met with his top military and foreign policy leaders. Hitler said it was time for Germany to start wars to gain more land. Neurath, along with some military leaders, disagreed with Hitler's timing. They thought Germany needed more time to prepare for war. They worried that starting a war would lead to a bigger conflict with Britain and France. However, they did not disagree with Hitler's overall goal of taking over other lands.
Because of his concerns, Neurath was replaced as Foreign Minister in February 1938. Joachim von Ribbentrop took his place. Neurath stayed in the government as a minister without a specific department. He was also named president of a "Secret Cabinet Council." But this group never actually met.
In March 1939, Neurath became the Reichsprotektor of occupied Bohemia and Moravia. He was Hitler's personal representative there. Hitler chose Neurath to calm international anger after Germany took over Czechoslovakia.
Once in Prague, Neurath made strict rules. He censored the press and banned political parties. He also ordered a harsh crackdown on protesting students. Many students were sent to concentration camps. He also oversaw the persecution of Jewish people in the region.
However, Hitler thought Neurath was too lenient. In September 1941, Hitler took away most of Neurath's power. Reinhard Heydrich became his deputy and held the real power. Neurath tried to resign in 1941, but his resignation was not accepted until August 1943. He was then replaced by Wilhelm Frick.
Trial and Imprisonment
After World War II, the Allied powers put Neurath on trial. This was part of the Nuremberg Trials in 1946. He was accused of several serious crimes. These included planning aggressive wars and committing war crimes. He was also accused of crimes against humanity.
The court found that Neurath was involved in war crimes. They noted his actions as Protector of Bohemia and Moravia. This included stopping Czech resistance and executing students. The court decided that Neurath was a willing participant in these crimes. He was found guilty on all four charges. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Neurath was held in Spandau Prison. He was released in November 1954 because of his poor health. He had suffered a heart attack.
Later Life
After his release, Neurath went back to his family's home in Enzweihingen. He died there two years later, at the age of 83.
See also
- List of rulers of the Protectorate Bohemia and Moravia
- List SS-Obergruppenführer
- Witnesses and testimonies of the Armenian genocide
Images for kids
-
Neurath in 1920
-
Neurath as a defendant in Nuremberg, 1946
