Adolf Marschall von Bieberstein | |
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| State Secretary for Foreign Affairs | |
| In office 31 March 1890 – 19 October 1897 | |
| Monarch | Wilhelm II |
| Chancellor | Leo von Caprivi Chlodwig zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst |
| Preceded by | Herbert von Bismarck |
| Succeeded by | Bernhard von Bülow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1842-10-12)12 October 1842 |
| Died | 24 September 1912(1912-09-24) (aged 69) |
| Party | German Conservative Party |
| Alma mater | University of Freiburg University of Heidelberg |
| Occupation | Diplomat, politician |
Adolf Hermann Freiherr[a] Marschall von Bieberstein (12 October 1842 – 24 September 1912) was a German politician andState Secretary of theForeign Office of theGerman Empire.
Marschall von Bieberstein's father, Augustus Friedrich Marschall von Bieberstein (1804-1888), waschamberlain to theGrand Duke of Baden, and his mother was Baroness Ida von Falkenstein (1810-1857). He was educated at theGymnasium ofFrankfurt am Main,[1] and studied jurisprudence at the Universities ofFreiburg andHeidelberg. He was a member of the Corps Suevia, aStudentenverbindung.
After finishing his studies, he started on a career in government, working as a prosecutor inMosbach undMannheim. His career as a politician began in 1875, as a representative in the First Chamber of Baden; from 1878 to 1881 he was also a member of the Reichstag for theGerman Conservative Party and at first supportedBismarck, but then he undertook an oppositional stance towards Bismarck, after the latter turned towards the conservatives in 1879.[clarification needed] From 1883 to 1890 Marschall von Bieberstein was the envoy of theGrand Duchy of Baden inBerlin, and participated in the fall of Bismarck in 1890.
In 1890 he succeededHerbert von Bismarck as State Secretary of the Foreign Office under Otto von Bismarck's successorLeo von Caprivi. When he first assumed office, he incurred the enmity of Bismarck by refusing his advice. The result was a fierce press campaign against Marschall von Bieberstein.[1] He supported Caprivi's reconciliation policy through trade agreements and sought compromise with Britain. After Caprivi's dismissal in 1894, Marschall von Bieberstein succeeded him as Foreign Minister of Prussia while remaining State Secretary under the new ChancellorChlodwig zu Hohenlohe-Schillingsfürst.
Marschall von Bieberstein was increasingly involved in disputes withWilhelm II, who aspired to have a greater personal influence on foreign policy. He was also opposed by the Agrarians because he advocated the reduction of corn duties.[1] In 1897, he was dismissed from both his offices and replaced byBernhard von Bülow.
Marschall von Bieberstein was transferred to Constantinople as ambassador. Through economic co-operation between the German and theOttoman Empire, he wanted to extend Germany's relations with the Orient. TheBaghdad Railway played a central role in this. Thanks to Marschall von Bieberstein's efforts, a predominantly German consortium received the concession to build the Baghdad Railway.
Marschall von Bieberstein was the representative of the German Empire at theSecond Peace Conference in The Hague in 1907. An advocate of a strong naval policy for Germany, he was the exponent of Germany's resolute and successful opposition to any practical discussion of the question of restriction of armaments.[1]
In 1912, shortly prior to his death, he became ambassador in London. He received the task to achieve a turnaround in the tense Anglo-German relations. Shortly after taking office, however, he died on 24 September 1912, aged 69.
 German Empire (1871–1918) | |
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 Weimar Republic (1918–33) | |
 Nazi Germany (1933–45) | |
 German Democratic Republic1 (1949–90) | |
 Federal Republic of Germany (1949–present) | |
1 East Germany | |
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