Paul von Hindenburg

In 1925 Paul von Hindenburg emerged from retirement to become the second president of the Weimar Republic. Although he was a respected national figure, he was also increasingly infirm and unable to provide leadership through a period of intense political crisis. In January 1933 he appointed Adolf Hitler as Germany's chancellor, having been convinced that Hitler would be easily controlled by more traditional right-wing forces in Germany. By the time it became clear that Hitler would rule without restraint, Hindenburg was too frail to interfere, and he died in August 1934.

AP/Wide World Photos

Appears in these articles

Weimar Republic; Hindenburg, Paul von

*	Exclusively for MSN Encarta Premium Subscribers Join Now