Walther Rathenau was a prominent German figure who wore many hats throughout his life. Here's a quick rundown:
- Industrialist: He was a leading industrialist in the late German Empire. His family founded the AEG electronics and engineering company, a giant in the German economy [US Holocaust Museum].
- World War I Leader: During World War I, he became a key figure in organizing Germany's war economy, similar to Albert Speer in World War II [History Today].
- Postwar Statesman: After the war, Rathenau became involved in politics as a moderate liberal. He joined the German Democratic Party and held important positions including:
- Foreign Minister: He was the first Jew to serve as German foreign minister, from February to June 1922 [Britannica].
- Key Negotiator: He played a crucial role in negotiating the Treaty of Versailles (the peace treaty ending WWI) and the Rapallo Treaty with the Soviet Union [US Holocaust Museum].
- Tragic End: Sadly, Rathenau was assassinated in 1922 by right-wing extremists [Wikipedia].
