Maltzan - The Architect of Rapallo

Weimar Foreign Policy, German-Soviet Relations, and the Treaty of Rapallo, 1920-22

Research Paper (postgraduate) , 2010 , 68 Pages , Grade: 1

History of Germany - World War I, Weimar Republic

This paper does not aim to write a biography of Maltzan, nor does it claim to give a detailed account of his everyday business at the Auswärtiges Amt. What brought these two countries with such contradictory political, economical, and societal systems together? Who was responsible in the German foreign policy elite, and what exactly was the role of Ago von Maltzan? Does agency belong to him alone? The sources at hand are just too scarce. This article rather tries to analyze German-Soviet relations from 1920 to 1922 and highlight Maltzan’s role and involvement in the process of this relationship. Maltzan as a diplomat at the headquarters of the Auswärtiges Amt was not always present in the public. He rather worked behind his desk or led backdoor negotiations with other diplomatic personnel. This paper will analyze German foreign policy towards Soviet Russia in the context of post-war European politics. It gives an analysis and interpretation of Maltzan’s thoughts and ideas in analogy to political and diplomatic circumstances that occurred before and up to the Treaty of Rapallo. For the understanding of Maltzan, the history of German-Soviet relations is as important as the events that occurred at Rapallo.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• I. Historiography on Weimar Foreign Policy, German-Soviet Relations, and the Treaty of Rapallo, 1918-1922
• II. From Brest-Litovsk to Berlin, 1918-1922
  • 1. The Early Contacts - POWs and Informal Relations
  • 2. The Polish-Soviet War and German-Soviet Military Contacts
  • 3. Economic Relations and the First German-Soviet Treaty
  • 4. The Reparations Issue and the “Policy of Fulfilment”
  • 5. Maltzan and German-Soviet Preliminary Negotiations in Berlin
• III. The Conference of Genoa – The First Week, April 10th-16th, 1922
  • 1. The German Delegation at Genoa – The First Days, April 10th-13th
  • 2. Allied-Russian Talks at the Villa d'Albertis, April 14th
  • 3. Resumption of German-Soviet Talks - Maltzan's Hour, April 15th
  • 4. A Rainy Day at Rapallo, Easter Sunday, April 16th
• Conclusion: Maltzan, the Architect of Rapallo.

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This research paper investigates the foreign policy of the Weimar Republic between 1920 and 1922, specifically focusing on German-Soviet relations during this period, leading to the signing of the Treaty of Rapallo. The paper examines the circumstances that contributed to this treaty, particularly the diplomatic negotiations between Germany and Soviet Russia, and analyzes the role of Adolf Georg Freiherr von Maltzan in this process.

• The foreign policy of the Weimar Republic in the early 1920s
• German-Soviet relations in the context of post-war European politics
• The Treaty of Rapallo and its significance
• The role of Adolf Georg Freiherr von Maltzan in German-Soviet diplomatic rapprochement
• The international circumstances that led to the Treaty of Rapallo

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

The paper begins by outlining the historical context of German-Soviet relations in the years following World War I. It explores the motivations of both Germany and Soviet Russia in seeking a partnership to break out of their respective periods of isolation and political instability. The research then delves into the development of German-Soviet relations, starting with early informal contacts and military exchanges during the Polish-Soviet War. It examines the economic relations and the first treaty between the two countries, followed by an analysis of the reparations issue and the German "Policy of Fulfilment."

The paper further examines the crucial role of Maltzan in German-Soviet preliminary negotiations and the subsequent negotiations at the Conference of Genoa. It highlights his influence on the decision to sign the Treaty of Rapallo, emphasizing the diplomatic skills he employed in achieving this outcome. The chapter also examines the key events leading up to the signing of the treaty, including the discussions within the German delegation at Genoa and the separate talks between the Allies and Russia.

The paper concludes by exploring Maltzan's contribution to the Treaty of Rapallo, his motivations for advocating German-Soviet cooperation, and the significance of his actions in shaping the course of German foreign policy in the early years of the Weimar Republic.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The main keywords and focus topics of this research paper include Weimar Republic, foreign policy, German-Soviet relations, Treaty of Rapallo, Adolf Georg Freiherr von Maltzan, Bismarckian Realpolitik, post-war European politics, reparations, economic relations, international diplomacy, diplomatic rapprochement, and the "Policy of Fulfilment." These terms represent the core concepts explored within the study, highlighting the complex dynamics of German foreign policy in the aftermath of World War I and the crucial role of the Treaty of Rapallo in reshaping the international landscape.

• College: University of Washington (Department of History)
• Course: Research Seminar in Modern European History
• Grade: 1
• Author: M.A. Pouyan Shekarloo (Author)
• Publication Year: 2010
• Pages: 68
• Catalog Number: V163335
• ISBN (eBook): 9783640778096
• ISBN (Book): 9783640777730
• Language: English
• Tags: Maltzan, Architect, Rapallo, Weimar, Foreign, Policy, German-Soviet, Relations, Treaty, Rapallo