Walther Rathenau

The New Society (Esprios Classics) Walther Rathenau

Walther Rathenau (29 September 1867 - 24 June 1922) was a German industrialist, writer and liberal politician. During the First World War of 1914-1918 he was involved in the organization of the German war economy. After the war, Rathenau served as German Foreign Minister (February to June 1922) of the Weimar Republic. Rathenau initiated the 1922 Treaty of Rapallo, which removed major obstacles to trading with Soviet Russia. Although Russia was already aiding Germany's secret rearmament programme, right-wing nationalist groups branded Rathenau a revolutionary (he was in fact a moderate liberal who openly condemned Soviet methods). They also resented his background as a successful Jewish businessman.