Notes on Joachim von Ribbentrop's Life and Influence

Early Life and Background

• Born April 30, 1893, in Wesel, Rhineland, Germany.
• Originally named Joachim Ribbentrop; later adopted noble title 'von Ribbentrop'.
• Father: Richard Ribbentrop, an army officer; Mother: Sophie Hertwig, suffered from tuberculosis.
• Siblings: Lothar, Ingeborg.
• Family moved frequently due to father's military career.
• Influenced by noble and military surroundings; became a social climber.

Education and Early Career

• Attended Lycée Fabert in Metz; poor academic performance but noted for charm.
• Moved to Canada in 1910; worked in banking, engineering, journalism.
• Developed language skills and international familiarity.

World War I

• Returned to Germany from Canada; enlisted in German Imperial Army.
• Served on both eastern and western fronts; received Iron Cross, 1st Class.
• Became friends with Franz von Papen during service.

Post-War Life

• Did not continue military career post-Weimar Republic formation.
• Married Anna Elisabeth Henkell in 1920, gaining wealth through her family's wine business.
• Adopted by Gertrud von Ribbentrop in 1925, acquiring noble status.

Rise in Nazi Party

• Met Adolf Hitler in 1928; joined Nazi Party in 1932.
• Initially had Jewish business associates; later aligned with Nazi Anti-Semitic policies.
• Involved in negotiations with Franz von Papen and Hitler in late 1932.

Diplomatic Career

• Appointed special commissioner for disarmament by Hitler in 1934.
• Established Ribbentrop Bureau; negotiated Anglo-German Naval Agreement (1935) and Anti-Comintern Pact (1936).
• Ambassador to Britain (1936-1938); his tenure marked by diplomatic blunders and growing animosity towards Britain.
• Negotiated Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact (1939) leading to WWII.

World War II Influence

• Supported German rearmament and territorial expansion.
• His diplomatic success with the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact enabled early German victories.
• Influence waned post-1941 after Germany broke the pact and invaded the Soviet Union.

Role in the Holocaust

• Complicit in Holocaust through diplomatic pressure for Jewish deportations.
• Anti-Semitism largely seen as opportunistic; facilitated Nazi genocidal policies.

Decline and Prosecution

• Influence declined as WWII progressed and diplomatic role diminished.
• Trial at Nuremberg post-war; found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
• Executed by hanging on October 16, 1946.

Legacy

• Ribbentrop’s ascent was due largely to his sycophancy and personal relationship with Hitler.
• Played a key role in facilitating Nazi aggression and atrocities, despite not being inherently ideologically driven.
• Seen as a peculiar figure among Nazi leaders, more opportunistic than ideologically fervent.