Weimar Republic
Personalities
Ebert, Friedrich- (1871-1925) He was the first president of the German Republic which was established after WWI. By 1912 Ebert had become a Social Democratic member of the Reichstag, where, as party leader during WWI, he loyally supported the government. In 1918 Ebert accepted the presidency of the Weimar Republic. With his support, he established a democracy that lasted until 1930. Ebert died in office on Feb. 28, 1925.
Stresemann,
Gustav- (1878-1929) Stresemann a German political leader, was chancellor in
1923 and foreign minister from 1923 to 1929 of the Weimar Republic. In 1907 Stresemann was
elected to the German parliament, the Reichstag, as its youngest member. Stresemann was a
strong supporter during WWI of Hindenburg and Ludendorff’s policies. He saw the
necessity of accepting the odious consequences of defeat. Stresemann relinquished the job
as Chancellor, but he remained foreign minister for the last six years of his life, during
which he succeeded in reconciling France and Germany and in bringing Germany into the
League of Nations.
Hindenburg, Paul von- (1847-1934) A cadet at the age of eleven, Hindenburg served in the Austro-Prussian (7 weeks) War of 1866 and in the Franco-German War of 1870-71. He was promoted to General and then retired in 1911. He was called back into service in 1914 and served as a military leader in WWI until 1918. In 1925 after the death of Ebert, Hindenburg was elected the republic’s second president. He adhered to the letter of the republican constitution. He authorized Chancellor Heinrich Bruning to dissolve the Reichstag should it prove uncooperative. The Reichstag was dissolved in 1930. In 1932, Hindenburg ran again for the presidency against Hitler and defeated Hitler. Hindenburg distrusted Hitler but was persuaded by Papen that Hitler could be controlled. Hitler’s power mounted and inevitably on Jan. 30, 1933, Hindenburg appointed Hitler chancellor. Hindenburg later became a supporter of Hitler.
Papen, Franz von- (1879-1969) Papen, a former Calvary officer, headed one of the two governments in the 1930’s. He was determined to gain revenge against Hindenburg’s adviser, Gen. Kurt von Schliecher, because of a disagreement over Papen’s effort to replace the Weimar Constitution, Papen befriended Hitler and persuaded Hindenburg to appoint the Nazi leader as Chancellor. Papen and Hitler agreed on forming a government with Hitler as chancellor, Papen as vice-chancellor, and non-Nazis in most other posts. Papen assured Hindenburg that Hitler could be controlled. Papen’s safeguards proved ineffective.
Hitler, Adolf- (1889-1945) Hitler ruled Germany as a dictator
from 1933 to 1945. As a boy, Hitler sang in a church choir and thought he would be a
priest. But as an adult he hated Christianity, which he said was a religion for weaklings.
In 1919 Hitler began his rise to power. Hitler became the leader of a small group of men
who had organized the National Socialist 
German Worker’s Party (Nazi’s). Street gangs, the S.S.
and the S.A. were formed to support the Nazi party. Hitler promised to rebuild Germany
into a mighty empire that would last a thousand years. Hitler tried to overthrow the
government in the Beer Hall Putsch in Munich in 1923 and was sentenced to five years in
prison and only served eight months. While in prison, Hitler began writing his book, Mein
Kampf, discussing his belief of Germans as a superior race. By 1932 the conservative
nationalist circle supported Hitler. Hitler insisted on becoming chancellor of any
government in which his party participated, but Hindenburg would not concede him that
post. In 1933 Hitler was appointed Chancellor of Germany. After Hindenburg’s death in
1934, Hitler became Dictator of Germany and used his new power in the Enabling Act. After
Hitler became dictator, he threatened war and lied to gain territory in Europe. The other
countries of Europe let him have his way until his hunger for power became too great. In
1939 WWII began. Hitler told his soldiers “Close your eyes to pity! Act
brutally!” In Hitler’s reign many groups such as the Jews were persecuted by
Hitler’s actions. All political parties except the Nazis were banned. Hitler married
Eva Braun in 1945 after years of mourning for his seventeen-year-old love. As the Allies
approached and Germany’s fate grew closer, Hitler and Eva committed suicide. About a
week later Germany surrendered to the Allies.