Karl Ritter
Encyclopedia
Karl Ritter was a German diplomat, ambassador to Brazil, a member of the Nazi Party, Special Envoy to the Munich Agreement, a senior official in the Foreign Office during World War II, and convicted war criminal in the Ministries Trial
.
For two years (beginning 1937) he was minister and then Ambassador to Rio De Janeiro
. In Rio, he joined the Nazi Party. When World War II
began, Ritter was responsible to overseeing the economic war, with the rank of Ambassador, Special Duty. Ritter was the manager of the American agent Fritz Kolbe
, which smuggled classified documents from the Foreign Ministry to the American Legation in Bern, Switzerland, headed by Alan Dulles.
he was sentenced to four years in prison, including time served; he was released a month after sentencing.
Ministries Trial
The Ministries Trial was the eleventh of the twelve trials for war crimes the U.S. authorities held in their occupation zone in Germany in Nuremberg after the end of World War II. These twelve trials were all held before U.S...
.
Life
Karl Ritter was a graduate in law, and was appointed to the Bavarian Civil Service, after his graduation. He was transferred to a few different services, until he settled in the German Foreign Ministry in 1922.For two years (beginning 1937) he was minister and then Ambassador to Rio De Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
. In Rio, he joined the Nazi Party. When World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
began, Ritter was responsible to overseeing the economic war, with the rank of Ambassador, Special Duty. Ritter was the manager of the American agent Fritz Kolbe
Fritz Kolbe
Fritz Kolbe was a German diplomat who became America's most important spy against the Nazis in World War II.-Career:Fritz Kolbe was born in Berlin...
, which smuggled classified documents from the Foreign Ministry to the American Legation in Bern, Switzerland, headed by Alan Dulles.
Ministries Trial
At the war's end Ritter was arrested. At the Ministries TrialMinistries Trial
The Ministries Trial was the eleventh of the twelve trials for war crimes the U.S. authorities held in their occupation zone in Germany in Nuremberg after the end of World War II. These twelve trials were all held before U.S...
he was sentenced to four years in prison, including time served; he was released a month after sentencing.