Matthias Erzberger – ein Wegbereiter für Demokratie, Gerechtigkeit und Frieden

In his lecture on Wednesday, 22 April 2026, at 8 pm in the Paul Fischer House, Dr. Christopher Dowe from the Haus der Geschichte will talk about "Matthias Erzberger - a pioneer for democracy, justice and peace".

Matthias Erzberger was a key political figure on the threshold between the German Empire and the Weimar Republic. He became known through his involvement in Catholic workers' associations and the Center Party and was elected to the Reichstag in 1903 as the youngest member of parliament at the time. In 1918, he signed the armistice with the Allies in the forest of Compiègne as chief negotiator for the German delegation. The following year, he was elected to the Weimar National Assembly. His advocacy of the "Versailles Peace Dictate", which formally ended the First World War, earned him harsh criticism from his contemporaries. As Reich Finance Minister, he created structures with his tax and financial reform that still exist today. He was murdered on 21 August 1921 by members of the right-wing secret organization "Consul".

Cooperation partner: Evangelical parish of Markus-Haigst