Political Developments - The Election of Hindenburg as president in 1925

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