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How Hindenburg was elected
Ebert, first president of the Weimar Republic died on 28 Feb 1925
There was then a national election for the next President
Under the terms of the Constitution, a candidate had to receive more than 50% of the vote
However due to the final round of the vote being three way, Hindenburg won with 48.3%
Hindenburg’s views
Was a ‘symbol of the past’
Had authoritarian views
How people viewed Hindenburg
Liked by the right, regarded his election as the beginning of the restoration of the old order
For others, Hindenburg was the ‘substitute emperor’ (Ersatzkaiser) and his election was a major step away from parliamentary democracy - however in the short-term proved to not be true
Hindenburg’s actions after being elected
Took his presidential oath
Appealed to the parties in the Reichstag to work with him in restoring national unity
Stuck closely to the letter of the Weimar Constitution and did not abuse his powers
Hindenburg’s later actions when president
By the early 1930s Hindenburg was becoming increasingly impatient with this party polical manoeuvring at a time of serious economic crisis and he used his power to rule by decree on a routine basis
Therefore after 1925, presidential power was in the hands of a man who did not believe in democracy and was not prepared to defend it against its enemies
