Why was Paul Von Hindenburg important?

Answer 1

During World War I, he was a general who commanded the German Army, initially in the war against Russia. After much success there, he was made the overall commander of all German forces, and by the end of the war, he was so powerful that he was the virtual dictator of Germany.

After the war, he eventually became President of Germany. In Germany, the President is a lot like the Queen of England- technically has a lot of power, but the reality is that they don't really use it... and just like the Prime Minister in England, the German Chancellor is normally the one who actually runs the government. But Germany's chancellors in the 1920's-1930's had problems getting anything done because of their crazy election system and numerous conflicting political parties, so Hindenburg was forced to use his Presidential powers to force things to get done.

Hindenburg was a key player in the rise of the Nazis in the early 1930's. Hitler ran for President in 1932 and was badly defeated by Hindenburg, who, despite being a very old man at that point (in his mid 80's), was still a popular war hero. Hindenburg didn't like Hitler, but was forced by political machinations to make Hitler the Chancellor in 1933. For the first year or so of Hitler's reign as Chancellor, Hindenburg, as President and popular war hero, was the only thing stopping Hitler from taking total control. If there was a civil war between Hitler and Hindenburg, Hindenburg could count on the German Army to support him. So Hitler had to be careful not to totally anger Hindenburg.

When Hindenburg died in summer 1934, Hitler chose to not hold elections to replace him- instead, he merged the President's powers into the Chancellor's, and made himself the absolute dictator of Germany.

Answer 2

The principal German General, along with Ludendorff, in ww1 for the Germans. he went on to become Chancellor in Germany & reluctantly, as President, appointed Hitler Chancellor.

Answer 3

Because Paul von Hindenburg was the German President from 1925-1934. He is probably best known for appointing Hitler as chancellor in January 1933.