Wilhelm von Schoen facts for kids
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Wilhelm Eduard Freiherr von Schoen (born June 3, 1851 – died April 24, 1933) was an important German diplomat. A diplomat is someone who represents their country in other nations. He was especially known for being the German ambassador in Paris when World War I began. He also served as the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs for the German Empire.
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Who Was Wilhelm von Schoen?
Wilhelm von Schoen was a key figure in German diplomacy. He was born in Worms, a city in Germany. He was very skilled and could speak several languages, including French. His wife was from Belgium. Schoen lived to be 81 years old and passed away in Berchtesgaden, Germany.
Schoen's Role Before World War I
As one of Germany's top diplomats, Schoen became the Ambassador to France. This was a very important job, especially as tensions grew in Europe. He believed that if there was a conflict in the Balkans (a region in Southeast Europe), it should stay small. He wanted to keep it from spreading into a bigger war.
Germany wanted to keep its alliances strong, especially with the Central Powers. They did not want a huge war. However, there was a fear that Britain would support Russia and France. This made Germany worried that Russia's actions in the Balkans might force them to help Serbia.
Efforts for Peace
Schoen, from his office in Paris, sent a telegram to Berlin on June 26. He reported that France was ready to talk and negotiate. He hoped that direct discussions could bring countries together and keep the peace.
However, by August 1, France stated they would protect their "National Interest." This meant they would not back down. Schoen faced a difficult task. He had to deliver a message asking France to stay neutral if Germany went to war. He knew this was a very tough demand.
Schoen realized his efforts were failing when conflicts started to spread, even reaching Paris. In the first week of August, he made many trips to the French Foreign Ministry, called the Quai d'Orsay. He visited 11 times in just 7 days, trying desperately to stop the war.
The French leader, Poincare, had also worked for peace. But Schoen understood that the Entente powers (France, Russia, and Britain) would not break apart. He sadly noted, "My question is rather naive, for we know you have a treaty of alliance." This showed he knew war was likely.
Leaving Paris
Schoen was very upset when he met with French Premier Rene Viviani. He heard that Americans would take over his embassy. This news, combined with the difficult ultimatum he carried, made him feel like a failure. Their farewell was sad, showing how unwilling they were to go into what some called "a war to end all wars." Schoen immediately went back to Berlin.
