Gregor Strasser One of the founders and leaders of the NSDAP Date of Birth: 31.05.1892 Country: Germany

1. Biography of Gregor Strasser
2. Political Activism
3. Socialist Faction and Conflict with Hitler
4. Exile and Assassination

Biography of Gregor Strasser

Gregor Strasser was one of the founders and leaders of the National Socialist German Workers' Party (NSDAP) and was assassinated during the Night of the Long Knives. He was born in the Bavarian town of Geisenfeld. Strasser served as a captain in the First World War and was awarded the Iron Cross, first and second class. After the war, he became a pharmacist.

Political Activism

In 1923, Strasser attempted to assist Adolf Hitler during the Beer Hall Putsch by gathering a column of supporters, but was unsuccessful. After Hitler's arrest, Strasser temporarily filled his position as the leader of the NSDAP and sought to genuinely replace him as the head of the party.

In 1924, Strasser sold his pharmacy and started publishing the newspaper "Berliner Arbeiterzeitung" (Berlin Workers' Newspaper), with his brother Otto Strasser as the editor. He appointed Joseph Goebbels as his personal secretary, replacing Heinrich Himmler. Goebbels also became the deputy editor-in-chief of his company, "Kampfflagge".

Socialist Faction and Conflict with Hitler

Strasser represented the socialist wing of the NSDAP, which led to significant disagreements with Hitler. During one of the party conferences, Strasser vehemently argued with Hitler about the extent of socialism within the movement. Goebbels supported him, stating that "petty bourgeois Adolf Hitler must be excluded from the party." However, Goebbels later realized that Hitler held the majority of power and shifted his allegiance, which Strasser could never forgive.

In 1926, Strasser took charge of party propaganda work. In 1932, he assumed leadership of organizational party activities, despite constant conflicts with Hitler. When the Nazis won the Reichstag elections in July 1932, Hitler appointed Hermann Göring as the head of the party's faction, which deeply offended Strasser.

Exile and Assassination

When the President of the Reichstag, Kurt von Schleicher, offered Strasser the position that Göring desired, Strasser accepted. In response, Hitler accused him of attempting to divide the party. As a result of these party disagreements, Strasser abandoned everything and fled to Italy, losing all his influence within the party. His position as Hitler's deputy was filled by Rudolf Hess.

On the Night of the Long Knives, Strasser was arrested and shot directly in his prison cell on June 30, 1934.