Carl von Schubert, Auswärtiges Amt, and the Evolution of Weimar Westpolitik, 1920-1924

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Introduction
• Historiography on Weimar Foreign Policy
• Carl von Schubert and the Evolution of Weimar Westpolitik 1920-1924
  • Schubert's Rise in the Auswärtiges Amt
  • The German Foreign Policy Agenda 1920-1924: From Isolation to Cooperation
  • The Legacy of Carl von Schubert: A "Republican" Diplomacy of Understanding and Accommodation with the West
• Conclusion

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This article examines the evolution of Weimar Westpolitik between 1920 and 1924, specifically focusing on the role of Carl von Schubert, Secretary of State in the German Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt). It aims to shed light on the foreign policy strategies pursued by the Auswärtiges Amt during this period, considering whether a coherent strategy existed prior to the rise of Gustav Stresemann in 1924.

• The role of the Auswärtiges Amt in shaping Weimar foreign policy
• Carl von Schubert's contribution to German Westpolitik
• The development of German-American relations in the early 1920s
• The emergence of a "republican foreign policy" in the Weimar Republic
• The shift from isolation to cooperation with Western powers

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Introduction: This section introduces Carl von Schubert as a key figure in European diplomacy during the interwar years, highlighting his commitment to a new, multilateral German foreign policy based on cooperation and economic interests. The introduction also points to the prevalent misconception of German unreliability, arguing that Schubert worked towards changing this perception.
• Historiography on Weimar Foreign Policy: This section reviews the historical scholarship on Weimar foreign policy, focusing on key works by Ludwig Zimmermann, Peter Krüger, and Klaus Hildebrand. It discusses how the scholarly understanding of Weimar foreign policy has evolved over time, highlighting the importance of considering both internal and external factors.
• Carl von Schubert and the Evolution of Weimar Westpolitik 1920-1924: This section explores the central argument of the article, examining the role of Carl von Schubert and the Auswärtiges Amt in shaping German Westpolitik between 1920 and 1924. It will investigate the development of a coherent strategy prior to Stresemann's accession to power, analyzing Schubert's efforts to shift from isolation to cooperation with the Western powers. The chapter will also discuss the importance of economic factors and the pursuit of a "republican foreign policy" based on peaceful mediation and a liberal foreign trade policy.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This article examines Weimar Westpolitik, the German Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt), Carl von Schubert, Gustav Stresemann, "republican foreign policy," multilateralism, cooperation, economic interests, Versailles Treaty, revisionism, German-American relations, and the development of a coherent foreign policy strategy during the early 1920s.