Germany, 1920–1969: British Foreign Office Confidential Print Overview
Revolution, dictatorship, war, and turmoil in twentieth-century Europe
. . . the question of Anglo-German relations is of the first importance for our two countries and for Europe.Neville Chamberlain,
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Explore how British officials made sense of—and navigated—the dramatic changes which Germany experienced in this critical fifty-year period.
Comprising over 55,000 images sourced from The National Archives (UK), this collection surveys Foreign Office material relating to Germany and its nearest neighbours. The collection contains a wide variety of documents, all of which were selected by the Foreign Office for inclusion in its Confidential Print series, on the basis of their significance.
The twentieth century was a time of great change and turmoil for Germany. In just fifty years, it experienced post-war revolution, an experiment with liberal democracy, the rise of Hitler and the Nazi Party, the establishment of a brutal dictatorship, the horrors of war and genocide, occupation by foreign powers, and division into two ideologically-opposed states.
Throughout this period, Britain’s fate was closely entwined with Germany’s. The two countries shared a number of important similarities and, as two of the most powerful states in Europe, their relations could have serious implications for the continent and beyond. During the two world wars, they were bitter adversaries, but at other times, they enjoyed periods of peaceful and friendly co-operation.
The government files in this collection reveal how well-informed British officials and diplomats perceived, interpreted, and responded to Germany throughout much of this critical period, offering an unrivalled English-language insight into the frequent and significant changes which Germany experienced during that time.
Contents
Germany, 1920–1969: British Foreign Office Confidential Print...
Revolution, dictatorship, war, and turmoil in twentieth-century Europe
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Highlights
Licensed to access Correspondence regarding the hyperinflation crisis (FO 425/543)
Licensed to access Annual report on Germany for 1933 (FO 425/515)
Licensed to access Correspondence concerning Central Europe, 1938–1939 (FO 404/27)
Licensed to access Declaration regarding the defeat of Germany (FO 425/582)
Insights
- While this collection only spans fifty years—from 1920 to 1969—it documents some of the most significant events in modern German, European, and even world history. It is particularly valuable as an account of the downfall of the Weimar Republic, the rise and rule of the Nazi dictatorship, the horrors of the Second World War and the Holocaust, and the Cold War microcosm that partitioned Germany became. These contemporary accounts are therefore of great value to historians seeking to uncover the complex realities of these important and controversial developments.
- The types of document within this collection are quite varied. Some of the richest material comes from reports sent by British ambassadors (and other senior consular staff) in Germany back to the Foreign Office in London. These officials were usually well-connected and perceptive and the information that they provided shaped British foreign policy. In addition to these reports, the collection also includes a number of important diplomatic documents, such as the proceedings of the Locarno Conference of 1925 and the establishment of relations with the Federal Republic of Germany in the 1950s.
- Germany’s geography has had a vital influence upon its history. Situated in the heart of Europe, Germany’s affairs have had a huge effect upon—and have, in turn, been affected by—developments in its closest neighbours. To more adequately explore these events and trends, this collection also includes British Foreign Office files relating to Austria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and Poland, especially during the Nazi period when these nations were occupied and partially absorbed into the Greater German Empire. In this way, it is possible to better situate Germany within its wider, continental context.
- One particular strength of this collection is the number of files relating to the British occupation of Germany at the end of the Second World War. While this began as a military effort to ensure no resurgence of German aggression after 1945, it rapidly became a much more complicated undertaking. British authorities took responsibility for all areas of administration within their occupation zone, from education and religious affairs to public welfare and prisons. Consequently, these sources offer fascinating insights into this peculiar episode in modern Anglo-German relations.
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