Exploring the Evolution of the Diplomatic Corps: An Overview of the Foreign Office
The German Foreign Office, known as the Auswärtiges Amt in German, has a rich history that spans from 1870 to the present day. Its name originated in the North German Confederation in 1870 and the German Reich in 1871.
During Bismarck's time, the German Foreign Office consisted of two departments: the Political Department and a second department covering foreign trade, legal, and consular affairs. This structure was a foundation upon which the Foreign Office was reformed and given a modern structure during the Weimar Republic.
However, the Foreign Office underwent significant changes during the Weimar Republic and the National Socialist dictatorship. During the latter, the Foreign Office was part of the illegitimate regime. Notably, diplomats Ulrich von Hassell and Adam von Trott zu Solz, who served during this period, joined the resistance and paid for their actions with their lives.
After World War II, the Foreign Office was a part of the re-established government of the Federal Republic of Germany. It played a crucial role in the integration of the Federal Republic of Germany into the Western democratic world. The Foreign Service of the Federal Republic of Germany was consistently and successfully integrated into the Western democratic world and its international organizations.
In 1951, the Foreign Office was re-established with its seat in Bonn. It has been a part of the government of the Federal Republic of Germany since then. The Foreign Office has maintained a continuous presence in the government, playing a role in both the legitimate and illegitimate governments of Germany during certain periods of its history.
The investigation into the involvement of the Foreign Office in crimes during the "Third Reich" and the subsequent handling of this past by an independent historical commission was led by historian Andreas Hillgruber, and the final report was published in 1971. More recently, in October 2010, the Independent Historical Commission published a report investigating the Foreign Office's involvement in the crimes of the "Third Reich."
In 1999, the Foreign Office returned to its original location in the heart of the capital, as part of the government's move to Berlin. This marked a significant milestone in the Foreign Office's history, as it once again found itself at the centre of German politics.
Since its re-establishment in 1951, the Foreign Office has been integrated into the international organizations of the Western democratic world. It has played a vital role in Germany's post-war recovery and its integration into the global community. Today, the German Foreign Office continues to serve as a key player in international diplomacy, upholding the principles of peace, cooperation, and mutual respect.
