Joseph Wirth Biography

Germany loses part of Upper Silesia after League arbitration.

Receives the Italian invitation for Germany to attend the international economic and financial conference planned for Genoa.

Wins a Reichstag confidence vote by 220 votes to 185 after controversy over the government's handling of the railway strike.

Secures Reichstag approval of the emergency budget for 1922 while deputies debate Allied reparations demands.

Leads the German government delegation as the Genoa Conference opens with representatives from 34 countries.

Signs the Treaty of Rapallo alongside Foreign Minister Rathenau, restoring diplomatic relations with Soviet Russia.

Reviews the diplomatic consequences of the Rapallo agreement with cabinet ministers two days after its signature.

His government publishes documents explaining German reparations policy from May 1921 through March 1922.

Addresses the Reichstag after Rathenau's murder and condemns the political forces encouraging anti-republican violence.

Temporarily takes responsibility for the Foreign Office after Rathenau's assassination.

Heads the government as eastern Upper Silesia is transferred to Poland following the postwar settlement.

His government secures the Law for the Protection of the Republic after Rathenau's murder and a wider campaign of political violence.

His government confronts French demands for productive pledges during Allied discussions on Germany's reparations position.

Supports extending Friedrich Ebert's presidential term until June 1925 rather than holding a divisive election amid political instability.

Leaves office after the coalition crisis and the formation of Wilhelm Cuno's minority government.