DBWI: Hindenburg Runs for Re-election in 1932?

Was reading the new book, Germany: The First Century (1871 to 1970) -- found out the he first democratically elected President of Germany, Paul von Hindenburg, was considering a second term, even though he was nearly 80, and (as it happened) would be dead in the next three years anyway. This was at a very delicate time, with the young republic in the throes of the Depression, and, what I consider to be one of the stranger figures in European politics*, Adolf Hitler, at the height of his influence. (Resident experts here on Germany or Depression era politics in general have likely heard of him.)

This got me thinking -- what if he had run again? Could he end up splitting the anti-NSDAP vote, giving us a President Hitler TL?** Or is he likely to win -- in which case, what happens when he dies two years later? AIUI, power would pass to whoever he picked as Chancellor until new a new election could be held, and considering the context, I wouldn't be surprised if TTL whoever it was Hindenburg had picked decided another election so soon in the midst of this kind of chaos just isn't advisable -- and passed a law to the effect where they just keep power until, say, the next one rolls around in 39, maybe longer. (FTR, right now I have no idea who that person could be -- input desirable on that front...)

What do you think?

*well, of those who ever actually had a shot of coming to power anyway...

**I do find those fascinating...

OOC: JTBC, the PoD is as described.
 
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He'd probably have stopped the rise of the Communists and the Second World War. When the KDP got into a coalition government that was the end of the Peace Settlement, the Poles simply went apeshit at the thought of being surrounded by socialist, even Popular Front governments counted as Bolsheviks to them. Probably no hashoah either. The Nationalists might have won in Spain too, preventing the terrible suppression of religion and the disastrous collectivisation drive.

A long term German Fascism isn't possible, this isn't Italy. Germany's strong Prussian institutions would soon tame the National Socialists. It would be a better world, with stronger institutions and less bloody socialism.
 

yourworstnightmare

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Hindenburg was pretty much an authoritarian without the authority to become dictator. I pretty much think it was disappointment in failing to strengthen the presidential office to something that would be a de-facto dictatorship that made him not seek a 2nd term. Well that, and of course he was old.
 
He'd probably have stopped the rise of the Communists and the Second World War. When the KDP got into a coalition government that was the end of the Peace Settlement, the Poles simply went apeshit at the thought of being surrounded by socialist, even Popular Front governments counted as Bolsheviks to them...

It always gets on my nerves when people (always anonymous interneteers) say that it was Germany, of all powers, that really caused the Soviet War. It tells you something when they're so reliant on analyses pushed by people trying to blame Poland ("What business did they have sending mitary aid to the Baltic?"), then turn it around ("Well, what do you expect, what with Germany dealing with their Commies instead of arresting them?"). What is it about the common understanding -- that the Soviets just flat out invaded several sovereign nations -- that these people can't accept?*

The Nationalists might have won in Spain too, preventing the terrible suppression of religion and the disastrous collectivisation drive.

There is a difference between (much needed) land reform that doesn't exempt church property and religious persecution.

OOC: *Hope I'm not going to far here -- just trying to stay in character :eek:
 
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