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Paul von Hindenburg
Paul von Hindenburg
Historical Figure
Nationality: Germany (born in Prussia)
Year of Birth: 1847
Year of Death: 1934
Cause of Death: Lung cancer
Religion: Lutheran
Occupation: Politician, Soldier, Nobleman
Spouse: Gertrud von Sperling (d. 1921)
Children: Four, one of whom was stillborn
Military Branch: Imperial German Army (Austro-Prussian War, Franco-Prussian War, World War I)
Political Party: Independent
Political Office(s): President of Germany (1925-1934)
Fictional Appearances:
The War That Came Early
POD: July 20, 1936;
Relevant POD: September 29, 1938
Appearance(s): West and East
Type of Appearance: Posthumous reference
Southern Victory
POD: September 10, 1862
Appearance(s): Blood and Iron
Type of Appearance: Contemporary reference

Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg (2 October 1847 – 2 August 1934) was a Prussian-born field marshal, statesman, and politician. He served as the Chief of the Imperial German Army General Staff during World War I. Despite his country's ultimate defeat, Hindenburg was sufficiently well-regarded to be elected the second President of Germany from 1925 to 1934. His presidency saw the financial difficulties of the Great Depression, and the rise of the Nazi Party and Adolf Hitler. In 1932, Hindenburg won reelection over challenger Hitler. In 1933, the wave of Nazi victories in the Reichstag elections pressured Hindenburg to appoint Hitler to the office of Chancellor. Hindenburg's death the following year removed any check-balance against the power of Hitler, who swiftly conflated President and Chancellor into the office of Führer.

An airship, named in Hindenburg's honor, famously crashed in 1937.

Paul von Hindenburg in The War That Came Early[]

Paul von Hindenburg had been dead for four years when the Second World War broke out in Europe in October 1938. Nonetheless, Sarah Goldman was somewhat grateful to Hindenburg for protecting the rights of Jewish veterans of the First World War.[1]

Paul von Hindenburg in Southern Victory[]

Just prior to the Great War, a Philadelphia hotel called the Lafayette was rechristened the Hindenburg Hotel in Paul von Hindenburg's honor.[2]

See also[]

References[]

  1. West and East, pg. 289.
  2. Blood and Iron, pg. 67.
Military offices
(OTL)
Preceded by
Erich von Falkenhayn
Chief of the Imperial German Army General Staff
1916-1919
Succeeded by
Wilhelm Groener
Political offices
(OTL)
Preceded by
Friedrich Ebert
President of Germany
May 12, 1925 - August 2, 1934
Succeeded by
Adolf Hitler
as Führer
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