Exploring the Options: 1919

Abstract

General Hans von Seeckt was, in 1919, responsible for the northern command of the German army, based at Bartenstein in East Prussia, and was thus responsible for securing the border against the instability from the east. He would shortly become the head of the Personnel Department of the Army, as the General Staff was renamed—that is, the head of the German army. In keeping with a tradition of maintaining good relations with Russia which can be traced at least back to Bismarck, Seeckt came to the conclusion that in the post-war world, exploring the possibility of collaboration with the Soviets might prove a prudent course of action for the German state.