Rathenau Shot in Berlin

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Rathenau Shot in Berlin

German foreign minister, Walther Rathenau, assassinated in Berlin by political opponents. Date: July 1922

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Media ID 14279401

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Assassinated Berlin Foreign Minister Opponents Shot Walther 1922

EDITORS COMMENTS
This haunting image captures the aftermath of the assassination of Walther Rathenau, the German foreign minister, in Berlin on June 24, 1922. Rathenau, a prominent Jewish politician and intellectual, was a key figure in the Weimar Republic's foreign policy and was widely respected for his efforts to normalize Germany's relations with other European nations after the First World War. But his progressive views and support for the Treaty of Versailles made him a target for right-wing extremist groups, who saw him as a traitor to the German people. On this fateful day, as Rathenau drove through the streets of Berlin in an open car, he was ambushed by members of the Organisation Consul, a far-right paramilitary group. They opened fire, killing Rathenau and his driver, but failing to harm his bodyguard. The photo shows the aftermath of the shooting, with Rathenau's lifeless body lying on the ground next to the overturned car. The scene is chaotic, with bystanders milling around in shock and disbelief, while others try to render aid. The image is a stark reminder of the political turmoil and violence that gripped Germany in the aftermath of the First World War, and the dangerous ideologies that threatened to tear the young democracy apart. Rathenau's assassination was a turning point in German history, and marked the beginning of the end of the Weimar Republic. It also highlighted the growing power of extremist groups and the failure of the German government to protect its citizens from political violence. The image serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of political ideology and the fragility of democratic institutions.

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