Carl Friedrich Goerdeler German politician Date of Birth: 31.07.1884 Country: Germany

1. Birth and Early Life
2. Political Career
3. Opposition to the Nazis
4. Foreign Visits and Anti-Nazi Activities
5. Assassination and Legacy

Birth and Early Life

Karl Friedrich Goerdeler was born on July 31, 1884, in Schwelm, Prussia, to a Prussian civil servant. His father was a district judge. Like his three brothers, Goerdeler studied law at the universities of Tübingen and Königsberg from 1902 to 1905, earning a doctorate in law.

Political Career

Goerdeler entered politics in 1920, joining the right-wing German National People's Party. He served as the second mayor of Königsberg from 1920 to 1930 and as the Lord Mayor of Leipzig from 1930 to 1937.

As a municipal leader, Goerdeler focused on balancing budgets, increasing productivity, and promoting economic growth.

Opposition to the Nazis

Initially supportive of the Nazi regime, Goerdeler became increasingly disillusioned by their policies. A monarchist, he opposed the Nazis' economic, racial, and religious persecution.

In 1935, he resigned from his post as Reich Price Commissioner and, in 1937, from his position as Lord Mayor of Leipzig to protest the demolition of a monument to composer Felix Mendelssohn.

Foreign Visits and Anti-Nazi Activities

After leaving government service, Goerdeler became an advisor to the Bosch electrical corporation. In this capacity, he traveled extensively and penned analytical reports criticizing Germany's aggressive foreign policy.

Goerdeler argued for resolving international issues peacefully and advocated for a return to Germany's traditional values.

Assassination and Legacy

Goerdeler played a key role in the anti-Hitler conspiracy, which culminated in the July 20, 1944 assassination attempt. After the plot failed, Goerdeler was arrested and executed by the Nazis.

Karl Friedrich Goerdeler is remembered as a courageous and principled man who fought against tyranny and for the restoration of democracy in Germany.