Paul Hindenburg German military and statesman, Field Marshal General, President of Germany since 1925. Date of Birth: 02.10.1847 Country: Germany

1. Paul von Hindenburg - German Military and Political Figure
2. Early Life and Military Career
3. Presidency and Political Influence
4. Later Years and Legacy

Paul von Hindenburg - German Military and Political Figure

Paul von Hindenburg was a German military and political leader, a General Field Marshal, and the President of Germany from 1925. He played a crucial role in revitalizing Germany's military potential and restoring its military power.

Early Life and Military Career

Born into a Prussian officer's family in Poznan, Paul von Hindenburg graduated from the cadet corps. He participated in the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71. During World War I, starting from late August 1914, Hindenburg commanded the 8th German Army in East Prussia, and later the forces of the entire Eastern Front. In August 1916, he became the Chief of the General Staff, effectively the Commander-in-Chief, and gained the status of a national hero, earning the nickname the "Iron Hindenburg."

Presidency and Political Influence

After the death of the first President of the Weimar Republic, Friedrich Ebert, on February 28, 1925, Hindenburg, with the support of right-wing parties, agreed to run for the presidency. On April 26, 1925, he was elected president, receiving 14.6 million votes. Although he officially stated his intention to strictly adhere to the Weimar Constitution and the conditions of the 1919 Treaty of Versailles, he began to support military-monarchist and Nazi organizations. Hindenburg held an honorary chairmanship in the military organization "Stahlhelm." His policies contributed to the revival of Germany's military potential and the restoration of its military power.

Later Years and Legacy

On April 10, 1932, with the help of right-wing social democratic leaders, Hindenburg was re-elected as president, receiving 53% of the votes. However, his political influence started to decline after he handed power over to the Nazis on January 30, 1933, allowing Adolf Hitler to form a government. Following the violent events of the "Night of the Long Knives," Hindenburg sent a congratulatory telegram to Hitler, prepared by the Führer himself, expressing his deep gratitude for suppressing the traitors. Hindenburg passed away on August 2, 1934, at his ancestral estate in Neudeck. His will, published twelve days later, was widely believed to be falsified, as some phrases perfectly mirrored Hitler's views. Despite controversies surrounding his legacy, Hindenburg played a significant role in shaping Germany's military and political landscape during a critical period in its history.