The Man Who Wanted German Peace
Matthias Erzberger sought war, then sought peace. He would be the German signatory on the armistice ending World War I. And his role in bringing peace would cost him his life.
World War I is full of historic figures - Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Douglas Haig, Vladimir Lenin. One historical figure that few are familiar with is Matthias Erzberger.
Meet Matthias
Born in 1875, a young Erzberger attended multiple seminaries en route to becoming a primary school teacher in 1894. When he wasn’t teaching, he was studying. He focused on constitutional law and economics. These would sharpen his understanding of politics and policy.
After a few years of teaching, he took a job as a journalist for the Catholic Centre Party publication, the Deutsches Volksblatt. His time spent as a freelance writer would cement his commitment to the Catholic Centre Party.
He would join the party and found himself elected to the German Reichstag in 1903. His variety of experience enabled him to take a leading role in parliament and was a key member to financial reforms of Germany in 1909.
By 1912, Erzberger became a leader of the parliamentary party. In that role, he became a staunch advocate for the arming of Germany. Through 1912 and 1913, Erzberger supported building up military power.
Banging the Drums of War
When war broke out in 1914, Erzberger rode the wave of nationalistic enthusiasm. He supported Germany’s war effort. He penned a letter advocating for the annexation of Belgium, parts of Lorraine, and other territories.
He did so from the position of secretary to the Reichstag’s Military Affairs Committee. In this post, he had become Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann Hollweg’s right hand man.
Erzberger’s scope of responsibility grew. He was in charge of foreign propaganda and tasked to target Catholic groups. When fears of Italy entering the war arose, Erzberger worked unsuccessfully to keep them out.
While the war raged on, he tried to stop the Armenian genocide. He also worked to modernize the administration. But in 1917, Erzberger’s primary focus would shift.
Calling for Peace
Both armies had stalemated on both fronts. The death toll continued to rise and German chances of victory were fading. Erzberger, once a staunch supporter of militarization and champion of the German war effort, changed his stance.
He met with a Russian envoy in Stockholm to discuss peace terms in April. When he addressed the Reichstag in July, he expounded his new views on the war. He called for renouncing territorial ambitions and to seek a negotiated end to war.
Following his speech, deputies from other parties agreed to form an Inter-Factional Committee. German parliamentarization seemed imminent. German conservatives called the actions a revolution.
The Reichstag Peace Resolution
Erzberger’s efforts would lead to the fall of Bethmann Hollweg - the man he’d served a few years prior. Next, Erzberger called a vote on the Reichstag peace resolution on July 19th.
The premise of the resolution echoed the sentiments Erzberger shared earlier that month. The resolution called for peace without annexation or indemnity. It also included freedom of the sea and international arbitration. The Reichstag passed the resolution 212 to 126.
Despite his efforts, Erzberger was unable to formally secure peace. The war would rage on another year. His public attacks on the war effort and willingness to reveal the fragility of the German military he had changed the climate in Germany.
Soon the German government found it difficult to keep its many beliefs the war could be won. A crescendo occured when a German navy mutinied at Kiel. They told their commanding officers they wanted ‘Erzberger’ - by then synonymous across Germany for peace.
A Time for Peace
In November of 1918, Erzberger was sent to negotiate with the Allies. He was chosen less for his political cunning and more for his being a Catholic civilian. It was hoped he’d be better received than a Prussian military officer.
Any hopes that Erzberger would secure better terms of peace were dashed. Marshall Ferdinand Foch made it crystal clear - there would be no Allied concessions. Paul von Hindenburg would telegraph Erzberger informing him that he should sign the treaty, with or without modification.
Shortly after, the new German chancellor Freidrich Elbert telegraphed Erzberger and authorized him to sign the treaty. Erzberger delivered a short speech calling the terms harsh and stating “a nation of seventy millions can suffer, but it cannot die.” An ominous omen of things to come.
On November 11, 1918, with French representative Marshal Foch, Erzberger signed the armistice bringing to an end the War to End All Wars. When Erzberger went to shake Foch’s hand, Foch ignored him.
After the War
Following the war, Erzberger was responsible for matters relating to the armistice. He supported the Treaty of Versailles. For that he was treated with contempt. After all, he was the man who signed what was seen by conservatives as a humiliating and unnecessary surrender.
Erzberger would try to fulfill his political obligations amidst constant hate and scrutiny. Soon publications were stating that Erzberger was “round as a bullet, but…not bullet-proof.”
Assassination and Legacy
On August 26, 1921, while out for a walk at a spa in the Black Forest, Matthias Erzberger was gunned down. To many Germans on the political right, Erzberger was a traitor who received his just reward.
Matthias Erzberger was instrumental in preparing the German nation for peace. Overlooked are the financial, federal, and rail reforms he passed that helped to transform Germany. Some of which remain today.
His legacy is forever associated with German surrender. To some, he was a traitor. That narrative fueled the stab-in-the-back legend that helped propel Adolf Hitler years later. To others, he was a voice of reason. He worked to bring about the end of World War I.
The fact is Matthias Erzberger was a voice of power and influence. And he had the courage to change his mind and helped usher in peace and the cessation of World War I.
History for the Hurried:
March 18, 1974: The five-month-old Arab oil embargo against the U.S. was lifted. During that time gas prices soared by 300% and the government forbade gas sales on Sunday.
March 21, 1943: A suicide/assassination plot by German Army officers against Hitler failed as the conspirators were unable to locate a short fuse for the bomb which was to be carried in the coat pocket of General von Gersdorff to ceremonies Hitler was attending.