After acquiring a considerable fortune, he turned his attention to politics.

He was appointed Minister of Finance in the ministry constituted for Germany under the auspices of the parliament, and presently was called to Berlin to construct a cabinet.

He declined the task because Frederick William IV, the king, would not give him a free hand in his scheme for the unification of Germany.

When the reactionary movement set in, he resigned the posts he held under the government, but continued, as a member of the Prussian Second Chamber, a vigorous opposition to the Manteuffel ministry, which had deserted the cause of German unity.

After the departure of Manteuffel from power in 1858, Beckerath was again elected a member of the Prussian Second Chamber, but was obliged to decline the honor on account of failing health.