Leopold von Hoesch

Leopold von Hoesch (1881–1936) was a career German diplomat. Hoesch began his political career in France as the charge d' affaires in 1923. Following the recall of the German Ambassador in 1923 after the Ruhr crisis, Hoesch was appointed acting head of the German Embassy in Paris. While in Paris, Hoesch worked closely with Gustav Stresemann, then foreign minister of Germany. Hoesch played an important role in the Locarno Treaty of 1924, though the gravity of his role must not be over-exaggerated.

In 1932, Hoesch was transferred to Great Britain, where he would stay until his untimely death in 1936. Hoesch was well-liked by most British statesmen, including Sir Anthony Eden and Sir John Simon. His reputation among the British as a knowledgeable and able-minded statesman helped to enhance the Anglo-German relationship during the early 1930's.

With the Nazi takeover in 1933, little changed at first between Germany and Great Britain politically. However, by 1934 Hoesch was beginning to challenge Hitler indirectly, sending communiques to Konstantin Neurath, Foreign Minister of Germany detailing Hoesch's distrust of Joachim von Ribbentrop whom Hitler had appointed to serve as Commissioner of Disarmament Questions. The relationship between Hoesch and Hitler continued to sour as Ribbentrop gained more power within the German government. By 1936, Hoesch was quickly becoming a thorn in Hitler's side. When Hitler invaded the Rhineland on March 7, 1936, Hoesch wrote to Konstantin Neurath denouncing the act as an action designed to provoke the French and ultimately the British. If it were not for Hoesch's death in April of 1936 it is most likely that he would have been removed from his office.