Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg, commonly known as Paul von Hindenburg, (pronounced roughly "pow-ool fon hin-den-boorg") lived from October 2, 1847, to August 2, 1934. He was a towering figure in German history, a celebrated general who commanded the Imperial German Army during the tumultuous years of World War I, and later served as the second President of Germany from 1925 until his death. His presidency, however, remains a period of intense historical scrutiny, notably for his pivotal role in the Nazi seizure of power in January 1933, when, under immense pressure from his advisors, he appointed Adolf Hitler as Chancellor of Germany.

Early Life and Distinguished Military Career

Born into a family of the minor Prussian nobility in Posen (modern-day Poznań, Poland) on October 2, 1847, Hindenburg’s upbringing was steeped in military tradition. After completing his rigorous education as a cadet, he embarked on his military journey, enlisting as a second lieutenant in the prestigious Third Regiment of Foot Guards. His early career saw him directly involved in the pivotal conflicts that shaped the German Empire: he experienced combat during both the Austro-Prussian War of 1866 and the Franco-Prussian War of 1870–71. These conflicts not only forged the unified German state but also provided Hindenburg with invaluable battlefield experience.

His talents were quickly recognized, leading to his admission in 1873 to the esteemed Kriegsakademie in Berlin, Germany's premier military academy. For three years, he honed his strategic and tactical skills before earning a coveted appointment to the Army's General Staff Corps. His ascent continued steadily; by 1885, he was promoted to the rank of major and became a member of the elite Great General Staff, the strategic brain of the German Army. Following a productive five-year tenure teaching at the Kriegsakademie, Hindenburg steadily climbed the military hierarchy, reaching the rank of lieutenant-general by 1900. By 1905, as he was promoted to General of the Infantry, he was even considered by the legendary Field Marshal Count Alfred von Schlieffen – the architect of the famous Schlieffen Plan – as a potential successor for the crucial role of Chief of the Great General Staff. However, the post ultimately went to Helmuth von Moltke in January 1906. After a long and distinguished service, Hindenburg announced his retirement from the military in 1911, seemingly concluding his career.

World War I and the Rise of a National Hero

The outbreak of World War I in July 1914 dramatically interrupted Hindenburg’s retirement. Recalled to active service, he was swiftly dispatched to the Eastern Front, where he would achieve legendary status. It was there, at the Battle of Tannenberg in August 1914, that he, alongside his chief of staff Erich Ludendorff, orchestrated a stunning and decisive victory against the Russian Second Army. This triumph, often hailed as the "Miracle of Tannenberg," not only secured his immediate fame but also elevated him to the status of a national hero. This initial success was followed by a series of crushing victories against Russian forces, further cementing his reputation and fueling a massive public personality cult. Postcards, busts, and even an enormous wooden statue known as the "Hindenburg-Denkmal" became symbols of his popularity.

By 1916, Hindenburg's immense popularity and perceived strategic genius were undeniable. He replaced General Erich von Falkenhayn as the Chief of the Great General Staff, effectively becoming the supreme commander of the German Army. From this point onward, he and his deputy, General Erich Ludendorff, formed a powerful and often described as a "silent dictatorship." They skilfully exploited Emperor Wilhelm II's broad delegation of power to the military, establishing a de facto military rule that profoundly influenced and often dictated national policy for the remainder of the war. Under their leadership, Germany successfully secured Russia's defeat and withdrawal from the war in the east and achieved territorial advances on the Western Front deeper than any seen since the conflict's initial months. However, the tide of war eventually turned. By the end of 1918, Germany's fortunes were reversed following the decisive defeat of the German Army in the Second Battle of the Marne and the relentless Allied Hundred Days Offensive. With his country facing inevitable capitulation to the Allies, sealed by the November 1918 armistice, Hindenburg stepped down as Germany's commander-in-chief before retiring once again from military service in 1919.

The Weimar Presidency and a Fateful Appointment

In 1925, against the backdrop of a fragile young democracy, Hindenburg was persuaded to return to public life, successfully campaigning to become the second elected President of the German Weimar Republic. This election marked a crucial moment for the republic, as it was the first time the German head of state was chosen directly by "the whole German people," a requirement stipulated by the Weimar Constitution after the first president, Friedrich Ebert, had been elected indirectly by the National Assembly and passed away in February 1925.

Hindenburg, a staunch conservative with monarchist sympathies, became the candidate of a broad coalition of the political right. Many among his backers harbored hopes that he would dismantle the Weimar democracy from within and usher in a restoration of the pre-Weimar, imperial status quo. His main rivals in the election were Otto Braun of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Wilhelm Marx of the Centre Party, both representing parties seen as bedrock supporters of the Weimar system. Ultimately, only Marx proceeded to the second, decisive round of voting, where Hindenburg, despite his initial reluctance, emerged victorious. Although he was re-elected in 1932, his 1925 backers who hoped for an authoritarian reversal were largely disappointed in the years immediately following, as Hindenburg, while sometimes questioned for his use of presidential emergency powers (Article 48), never attempted an outright overthrow of the Weimar Constitution.

Crucially, despite his personal opposition to Adolf Hitler and the radical ideology of the Nazi Party, Hindenburg played a central and ultimately tragic role in the political instability that facilitated their ascent to power. In 1932, faced with a deeply fractured Reichstag, he twice dissolved the parliament. Following the November 1932 elections, where the Nazis secured a plurality of seats but not an outright majority, Hindenburg, under intense pressure from influential conservative advisors who believed they could control Hitler, reluctantly agreed to appoint him as Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. This decision would prove to be a catastrophic turning point for Germany and the world.

The swift dismantling of German democracy began almost immediately. In response to the mysterious Reichstag Fire in February 1933, which the Nazis quickly blamed on a communist, Hindenburg approved the infamous Reichstag Fire Decree. This decree, supposedly for the protection of state and people, effectively suspended numerous fundamental civil liberties guaranteed by the Weimar Constitution, paving the way for widespread arrests and suppression of political opponents. A month later, in March, Hindenburg signed the Enabling Act of 1933. This pivotal legislation granted the Nazi regime emergency powers, allowing them to enact laws without parliamentary approval, effectively stripping the Reichstag of its legislative function and laying the foundation for Hitler's dictatorship.

Paul von Hindenburg passed away on August 2, 1934. His death removed the last constitutional check on Hitler's power. Almost immediately, Hitler consolidated his authority by combining the office of the presidency with his role as chancellor, declaring himself Führer und Reichskanzler des deutschen Volkes – "Leader and Reich Chancellor of the German People." This final step completed Germany's transformation into a totalitarian state, marking the end of the Weimar Republic and the full establishment of Nazi rule.

Frequently Asked Questions About Paul von Hindenburg

Who was Paul von Hindenburg?

Paul von Hindenburg was a distinguished German general and statesman. He gained widespread fame as a military commander during World War I and later served as the second President of Germany's Weimar Republic from 1925 until his death in 1934.

What was Hindenburg's primary role during World War I?

During World War I, Hindenburg was a celebrated military leader, most notably on the Eastern Front, where he achieved the decisive victory at the Battle of Tannenberg. He eventually rose to become Chief of the Great General Staff, effectively controlling Germany's military strategy alongside his deputy, Erich Ludendorff, establishing a de facto military dictatorship for the latter half of the war.

How did Hindenburg become President of Germany?

After retiring from military service, Hindenburg returned to public life in 1925 to run for president. He was elected in the second round of voting, becoming the second President of the Weimar Republic and the first to be directly elected by the German people.

What was Hindenburg's relationship with Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party?

Hindenburg, a conservative monarchist, was personally opposed to Hitler's radical ideology and the Nazi Party. However, in January 1933, under pressure from advisors, he appointed Hitler as Chancellor of Germany after the Nazis gained a plurality in the Reichstag elections. This decision inadvertently paved the way for the Nazi seizure of power.

Did Hindenburg support the Nazi Party's rise to power?

While Hindenburg did not personally align with Nazi ideology, his actions during his presidency, particularly his appointment of Hitler as Chancellor and his signing of decrees like the Reichstag Fire Decree and the Enabling Act, were instrumental in dismantling German democracy and enabling the Nazi regime to consolidate power. He facilitated their rise, even if his intent was not necessarily to support their totalitarian agenda.

What were the key decisions Hindenburg made that impacted the rise of Nazism?

Key decisions include twice dissolving the Reichstag in 1932, which contributed to political instability; appointing Adolf Hitler as Chancellor in January 1933; approving the Reichstag Fire Decree in February 1933, which suspended civil liberties; and signing the Enabling Act in March 1933, which granted Hitler dictatorial powers. These acts systematically dismantled the Weimar Republic.

How did Hindenburg's presidency end?

Paul von Hindenburg died in office on August 2, 1934. Following his death, Adolf Hitler swiftly merged the presidency with his role as chancellor, effectively becoming the sole head of state and government, thereby completing Germany's transformation into a totalitarian Nazi state.