Role
Schleicher and
Brüning
- Leading military figure.
- In charge of the Reichswehr Ministry.
- Determining power in the Reichstag.
- Actively engaged in political activity.
- Friend and adviser to President Hindenburg.
Beliefs
- Best interests of the nation and the German Army were served by a strong government that had appeal and support in Reichstag.
- Army leadership believed that Germany needed a stronger government with more authority to deal with the nations problems.
- Schleicher did not support Heinrich Brüning as Chancellor.
- Brüning had failed to fix the economic problems in Germany.
- Brüning had become too reliant on SPD and Article 48 for support.
- Brüning opposed the Nazis.
- Schleicher convinced Hindenburg to make Brüning resign in May 1932.
Schleicher's Life
General Kurt von Schleicher Becomes Chancellor of Germany
1882, April 7 Schleicher was born in Brandenburg Germany.
1900, Schleicher joined the German Military.
1919, approached the new Weimar Republic Armed Forces – the Reichswehr.
1929, Schleicher was a major general in charge of the Reichswehr Ministry.
1932, December he became Chancellor of Germany 1933, January Schleicher was dismissed as Chancellor.
1934, June 30 he was murdered on the ‘Night of Long Knives’.
Schleicher as Chancellor
Schleicher and Von Papen
- Schleicher knew Papen had failed.
- Unemployment neared 6 million and communist strength was increasing.
- Schleicher persuaded Hindenburg that the army had lost confidence in Papen.
- Papen resigned on December 2.
- Hindenburg appointed Schleicher Chancellor to keep Hitler out of power.
- Schleicher attempted to split the Nazi Party by making Gregor Strasser vice-Chancellor.
- Schleicher only lasted as Chancellor for two months.
- This mistake caused Schleicher to be murdered on the 'Night of Long Knives' by Hitler's SS Army.
Franz von Papen:
- Former member of the Centre Party.
- Made Chancellor in June 1932.
- Schleicher became defence minister.
- Papen supported by Hindenburg and Schleicher.
- ‘Cabinet of Barons’ consisted of members approved by Schleicher, meaning the government was based on support of the President and the army.
- Schleicher lifted the ban on SS and SA Stormtroopers.
- In September of that year, Papen had no support and a national election was carried out.
Bibliography
The Nazis Rise to Power, Chapter 2 (holiday homework)
Britannica, 2016 Britannica Encyclopedia, http://www.britannica.com/biography/Kurt-von-Schleicher