The Airship President, a TL
- Thread starter Eckener
- Start date
David S Poepoe
Banned
I will direct you to page 137 of John Duggan's Airships in International Affairs 1890-1940:
During 1927 other congressional committees dealt with a separate but intimately related matter - the security and abundance of helium for American airships....The helium legislation of 1927 enhanced cooperation from the Interior Department (which nominally controlled such natural resources) and entitled a private enterprise to produce more gas than the government plant was delivering. The law also placed rigid limitations on any export of helium. The Goodyear Company fully supported these measures and lobbied energetically to realize them. Its weel-known publicity agent, Hugh Allen, was reported as boasting, "Only the United States has the God-given monopoly and advantage of helium for its airships in peace and war and should never relinquish it!" That was the American position for the next decade.
The Nazis did not figure into the US Government's decisions in 1927. There were only three nations that at the time could have developed the airship for commercial use, the US, Britain and Germany, and each sought to exploit the potential market for its own benefit.
Thanks! I agree. I think that I'll rewrite that other TL in this fashion at some point.
True, but from what I've read from newspapers during the time of the hindenburg disaster, it was released to the public that when Eckener made the round-the-world flight in 1929, he met with President Hoover, and they discussed helium. It seems as though the Americans considered giving helium to Eckener, but he declined, since it was more economical to stick with hydrogen, and because he believed they could operate safely with hydrogen.
Question: who would be a good candidate to take over Zeppelin once Eckener becomes President? I've considered his sun, Knut Eckener, and also Karl Arnstein (german designer at Goodyear). Any ideas, alternates? That's one of the main things holding me back from making the next update...
David S Poepoe
Banned
The President can't give anything, that is the responsibility of the Congress.
I would suggest Ernst Lehmann, he's pretty experienced with airships and he played the accordian.
Lol and of course that qualifies him above all other reasons. Would that have been his pick though? I mean Lehmann was rather pro-nazi, wasn't he (or am I thinking of Pruss?)
David S Poepoe
Banned
Lehmann was the senior most captain with the Zeppelin Company, with pre-war, wartime and post war experience with airships.
Please do not let this bog down in a debate about who will run the bloody Zeppelin Company!
How will the Nazis react to the inevitable crackdown? How united is the Army and could it have elements supporting the Nazis? Will this new government use the troops against the private militias and gangs or will it prefer to use the civilian police? What would be the implications of this action among the generals?
Would the new government have any more success in mitigating the harsher Treaty clauses and why? Could Eckner make the bold move to visit the Rhineland protected by police not soldiers and make a speech demanding a plebicite by the League on its fate? Could the government do a deal with just Britain and France on reparations and if successful simply ignore US protests?
These and other questions need to be answered.
How will the Nazis react to the inevitable crackdown? How united is the Army and could it have elements supporting the Nazis? Will this new government use the troops against the private militias and gangs or will it prefer to use the civilian police? What would be the implications of this action among the generals?
Would the new government have any more success in mitigating the harsher Treaty clauses and why? Could Eckner make the bold move to visit the Rhineland protected by police not soldiers and make a speech demanding a plebicite by the League on its fate? Could the government do a deal with just Britain and France on reparations and if successful simply ignore US protests?
These and other questions need to be answered.
PART II: GETTING THINGS OFF THE GROUND
The election of Dr. Eckener to the German Presidency on March 15, 1932 marked the end of his major involvement of the Zeppelin Company. On March 20, he resigned his position as President of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin, succeeded by airship captain Ernst Lehmann. Although he would remain connected to the airship developments, he was no longer in the driver’s seat, though he is credited, and rightfully so, with ensuring the more long term success of the craft.
- Anderson, Dr. Alexander. The Airship: A Century of Sailing the Skies. New York: Colombia University Press: 1989.
BERLIN, MAR 31- Today, famed Zeppelin pioneer Hugo Eckener was sworn in as the second President of the German Republic. Earlier this month, Eckener was elected by 55% of the vote, beating out Adolf Hitler of the National Socialist Party and Ernst Thälmann of the German Communist Party. The famous airship captain now commands a ship of state that faces dire situations that could threaten the infant democracy in that country. Most threatening is the National Socialists, who seek to attack all of their political rivals with their paramilitary organization, the so called “Storm Troopers”. Also, Eckener must find a new chancellor, or risk political alienation from the masses who find Chancellor Heinrich Brüning’s policies very unpopular. Although no official word has come yet, many here in the Reich capital believe that either Joseph Wirth of the Centre Party, or Otto Wels, head of the Social Democrats, will become Eckener’s chancellor.
-“Eckener Takes Office in Germany,” The Washington Post, April 1, 1932.
“Citizens of Germany, today, April 1, 1932, is the start of an era of recovery for our nation. I ask you to work with me, so that together, we will pick up the pieces and make Germany something to truly be proud of. We are a vibrant people, we are an intelligent and cultured people, with so much to offer the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, I say to today that we should stand up and let the world here that Germany is not down trodden, that Germany is not on its last leg! Let us show the people of France and England and America that Germany can overcome any obstacle!
It is my pleasure to introduce to you the men who will help me guide your government to begin the rebuilding. As of today, Otto Wels will serve as Germany’s Chancellor. With him, Joseph Wirth will serve as Defense Minister, and Konrad Adenauer as Foreign Minister.
We have many goals to accomplish, and with your help, we will achieve those goals. May God bless you and keep you, and may He watch over our beloved homeland.”
- Radio Address given from Berlin by President Eckener on April 1, 1932. Reichs Historiches Institue, Berlin.
Eckener, Wels, Wirth and Adenauer had quite a tall order to fill, and fast. The Nazis held almost daily rallies against the new government starting April 3. The SA and the Rotfrontkämpferbund had several street battles that first month, and the Berlin Police seemed unable to control the violence. Hitler decried the election as a farce, as a betrayal of the true voice of the people. It seemed as though things were going to deteriorate. But then Eckener’s government rolled up their sleeves, got a little dirty, and preserved the frail German state. The deciding factor would be a meeting held on April 19, 1932 between Eckener and Wels’ government.
- Liebermann, Dr. William. The Zeppelin President."Chapter 2: The Months of Struggle.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003
April 19, 1932- The street battles between the SA and the Rotfrontkämpferbund became to violent to try and ignore. I called in Otto and Joseph and Konrad, along with Otto Braun, to discuss the situation. I told them flat out that the SA and the Rotfrontkämpferbund had to be banned. The Chancellor told me, “that’s all well and good, and needed, but technically they were banned under Brüning, and look what that’s got us?”
I said to him “Well, what if we brought in the Reichswehr?” And authorized the police forces to crack down on these groups?” Wirth spoke up, saying that my suggestion might be a good course to take. Konrad voiced his concearns, however. “Mr. President, do you think that calling in the army on this is such a good idea? That might just be adding fuel to the fire.”
“Well,” I said to him, “there is a risk of that. However, if we have our military go after the SA and Rotfrontkämpferbund leadership, and let the police know that they Reichswehr will back them if they need it, I believe this may work.”
We discussed the details of this, but that was the most important part. Tomorrow, I am going to decree that all paramilitary organizations are henceforth illegal in Germany, and authorize the Reichswehr to round up all their leaders. Well break the backs of these anti-democrats yet.
- From the personal diary of President Hugo Eckener “Personal Documents of President Eckener.” The Zeppelin Institute, Friedrichshafen.
BERLIN, APR 20- President Eckener today decreed that all paramilitary groups are to be henceforth considered enemies to the state, and has ordered the Reichswehr to round up the leaders of two prominent paramilitary organizations, the National Socialist “Storm Troopers”, and the Communist “Red Front Fighter’s League”. This is of course in response to all the street fighting between the SA and the RFKF against each other, and the SA attacks against Eckener’s government in Berlin. President Eckener assured the nation that, “while there maybe an initial surge of fighting if some of these groups refuse to surrender quietly, in the long run this is for the best, for free, unadulterated democracy cannot exist where armed vigilantes go around and harass those that oppose their ideology.”
-President Declares War on Paramilitary,” Frankfurter Zeitung, April 21, 1932.
BERLIN, JULY 12- It has been nearly 3 months since German President Hugo Eckener announced a ban on paramilitary groups that were operating as agents of two of Germany’s most anti-democratic political parties, the National Socialists and the Communists. According to our embassy in Berlin, the Nazis, as the National Socialists are called, are the biggest threat to the stability of Germany. Since the ban, there have been several major confrontations, but the paramilitaries have lost every time. The streets are finally beginning to become peaceful once again. You no longer see the swastika-emblazoned brown uniforms of the SA, with people trying to avoid their gaze. In fact, President Eckener has moved on to other issues, such as getting people back to work. The new “Build for the Future!” Program started by Chancellor Otto Wels was announced about a month ago, and has already had nearly 100,000 people volunteer. The program offers some income in addition to food for workers to come and work on construction projects for the state. Chief among them is the new “Autobahn” highway system, that will, according to Chancellor Wels, be a “truly modern roadway system, with two lanes for each direction of non stop traffic, connecting all the major cities of Germany together.”
-“Peace in Germany?,” The Times (London), July 13, 1932.
BERLIN, OCT 1- Early this morning, members of the Nazi party attacked the Presidential motorcade here in the capital. President Eckener, along with Chancellor Wels, were en route to a rally for the upcoming Reichstag elections in the Tiergarten when 10 National Socialists ambushed the vehicles. Since violence has been down all over Germany after what was up till today considered a successful ban on the SA and the RFKF, security was almost nill, and the Nazis achieved total surprise. Several aides to the President and the Chancellor were killed, and both men received wounds from bullets that were fired by the attackers. Eckener is reported as being in fair condition at this point, only receiving wounds in his arm and leg. Wels is currently unconsious, having lost large amounts of blood, and doctors are unsure if he will survive. The Mayor of Berlin has declared a state of emergency, and Defense Minister Joseph Wirth has called out the Reichswehr to maintain order.
-“Shots Fired at President: Nazis to Blame for Attack,” Frankfurter Zeitung, October 1, 1932.
BERLIN, OCT 2- German authorities reported this morning that Chancellor Otto Wels died from wounds received yesterday during an attack on the Presidential motorcade in Berlin, perpetrated by members of the National Socialist, or Nazi, Party. President Hugo Eckener is recovering in a Berlin hospital, reportedly doing quite well. German Defense Minister Joseph Wirth has ordered the Army to secure Berlin, and has cancelled all public gatherings in the capital until President Eckener is released from the hospital. There are calls for the government to take strong action against the Nazis, but as of yet, none has been forthcoming. Wirth stated that, “I will take no action directly against the Nazis without authorization of the President or the Chancellor.”
This attack comes just over a month before the Reichstag elections, and is clearly meant to destabilize the national government here in Germany. The effect of this attack on the upcoming elections still remains clear. However, some in the capital believe that this may hurt the Nazis, since Eckener and his government were quite popular, especially with the “Build for the Future” program and the banning of the paramilitaries.
-“German Chancellor Killed by Nazis,” The Washington Post, October 3, 1932.
October 7, 1932- Those barbarians! I..I…words can’t fully express the anger I am feeling at this hour. That they not only attacked myself and my staff, but that they killed poor Otto Wels…my blood boils. And what to do about the situation? Many are calling for the party to be outright banned, that Hitler himself planned the attack (which he very well may have, despite his official statements to the contrary.) But I fear an outright ban may not be the best solution. I’ve been talking with Konrad (who will be taking over as Chancellor after tomorrow’s funeral), and I think that cracking down on the Nazi HQ, maybe raids at Hitler’s home. But no arrests. He and I both think that the people are going to oust the Nazis next month. I have asked that the Reichswehr investigate the attack, to find out just who ordered it.
-- From the personal diary of President Hugo Eckener “Personal Documents of President Eckener.” The Zeppelin Institute, Friedrichshafen.
“My fellow Germans, we have gathered here in this beautiful house of God to bid farewell to a great statesmen, one who believed in Germany’s future, who believed that tomorrow would be better. And today, as we pay our respects and offer our comfort and condolences to his family, I call on all Germans to step up and make sure that his dream of a free, safe, stable, democratic Germany become a reality. We cannot allow the forces of violence, murder, and anarchy prevail. We cannot, and we will not!” Frau Wels, be rest assured, your husbands death will not have been in vain.”
- Radio Address given at Otto Wels funeral, October 8, 1932. Reichs Historiches Institue, Berlin.
BERLIN, NOV 7- In what was obviously a reaction to the brutal attack on President Eckener and the murder of the late Chancellor Wels, voters across the nation have sent the Nazis packing. Dropping from 107 seats to 29, the Nazis have been all but tossed out of the Reichstag on their ear, with the SDP going from 143 seats to 245, and the Centre Party going from 68 seats to 119. President Eckener said that “I am overjoyed with the results of this election. The people have spoken.” Newly sworn in Chancellor Konrad Adenauer stated that “This election marks the triumph of the German Democracy over the forces of tyranny and anarchy that have sought to bring chaos to the Fatherland.”
-“Nazis Trounced in Elections,” Frankfurter Zeitung, November 7, 1932.
BERLIN, NOV 20- The German military filed a report with President Eckener earlier this week stating to the effect that Adolf Hitler, head of the National Socialist Party, planned the attack on President Eckener that killed Chancellor Otto Wels. Eckener ordered the man’s immediate arrest upon reading the report. Hitler was arrested not far from the Bavarian-Austrian border, attempting to flee the country. It is widely expected that the newly elected Parliament will vote to ban the Nazis once they meet for the first time next month.
-“Germany Arrests Hitler,” The New York Times, November 21, 1932.
The election of Dr. Eckener to the German Presidency on March 15, 1932 marked the end of his major involvement of the Zeppelin Company. On March 20, he resigned his position as President of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin, succeeded by airship captain Ernst Lehmann. Although he would remain connected to the airship developments, he was no longer in the driver’s seat, though he is credited, and rightfully so, with ensuring the more long term success of the craft.
- Anderson, Dr. Alexander. The Airship: A Century of Sailing the Skies. New York: Colombia University Press: 1989.
ECKENER TAKES OFFICE IN GERMANY
BERLIN, MAR 31- Today, famed Zeppelin pioneer Hugo Eckener was sworn in as the second President of the German Republic. Earlier this month, Eckener was elected by 55% of the vote, beating out Adolf Hitler of the National Socialist Party and Ernst Thälmann of the German Communist Party. The famous airship captain now commands a ship of state that faces dire situations that could threaten the infant democracy in that country. Most threatening is the National Socialists, who seek to attack all of their political rivals with their paramilitary organization, the so called “Storm Troopers”. Also, Eckener must find a new chancellor, or risk political alienation from the masses who find Chancellor Heinrich Brüning’s policies very unpopular. Although no official word has come yet, many here in the Reich capital believe that either Joseph Wirth of the Centre Party, or Otto Wels, head of the Social Democrats, will become Eckener’s chancellor.
-“Eckener Takes Office in Germany,” The Washington Post, April 1, 1932.
“Citizens of Germany, today, April 1, 1932, is the start of an era of recovery for our nation. I ask you to work with me, so that together, we will pick up the pieces and make Germany something to truly be proud of. We are a vibrant people, we are an intelligent and cultured people, with so much to offer the world. Ladies and Gentlemen, I say to today that we should stand up and let the world here that Germany is not down trodden, that Germany is not on its last leg! Let us show the people of France and England and America that Germany can overcome any obstacle!
It is my pleasure to introduce to you the men who will help me guide your government to begin the rebuilding. As of today, Otto Wels will serve as Germany’s Chancellor. With him, Joseph Wirth will serve as Defense Minister, and Konrad Adenauer as Foreign Minister.
We have many goals to accomplish, and with your help, we will achieve those goals. May God bless you and keep you, and may He watch over our beloved homeland.”
- Radio Address given from Berlin by President Eckener on April 1, 1932. Reichs Historiches Institue, Berlin.
Eckener, Wels, Wirth and Adenauer had quite a tall order to fill, and fast. The Nazis held almost daily rallies against the new government starting April 3. The SA and the Rotfrontkämpferbund had several street battles that first month, and the Berlin Police seemed unable to control the violence. Hitler decried the election as a farce, as a betrayal of the true voice of the people. It seemed as though things were going to deteriorate. But then Eckener’s government rolled up their sleeves, got a little dirty, and preserved the frail German state. The deciding factor would be a meeting held on April 19, 1932 between Eckener and Wels’ government.
- Liebermann, Dr. William. The Zeppelin President."Chapter 2: The Months of Struggle.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003
April 19, 1932- The street battles between the SA and the Rotfrontkämpferbund became to violent to try and ignore. I called in Otto and Joseph and Konrad, along with Otto Braun, to discuss the situation. I told them flat out that the SA and the Rotfrontkämpferbund had to be banned. The Chancellor told me, “that’s all well and good, and needed, but technically they were banned under Brüning, and look what that’s got us?”
I said to him “Well, what if we brought in the Reichswehr?” And authorized the police forces to crack down on these groups?” Wirth spoke up, saying that my suggestion might be a good course to take. Konrad voiced his concearns, however. “Mr. President, do you think that calling in the army on this is such a good idea? That might just be adding fuel to the fire.”
“Well,” I said to him, “there is a risk of that. However, if we have our military go after the SA and Rotfrontkämpferbund leadership, and let the police know that they Reichswehr will back them if they need it, I believe this may work.”
We discussed the details of this, but that was the most important part. Tomorrow, I am going to decree that all paramilitary organizations are henceforth illegal in Germany, and authorize the Reichswehr to round up all their leaders. Well break the backs of these anti-democrats yet.
- From the personal diary of President Hugo Eckener “Personal Documents of President Eckener.” The Zeppelin Institute, Friedrichshafen.
PRESIDENT DECLARES WAR ON PARAMILITARY
BERLIN, APR 20- President Eckener today decreed that all paramilitary groups are to be henceforth considered enemies to the state, and has ordered the Reichswehr to round up the leaders of two prominent paramilitary organizations, the National Socialist “Storm Troopers”, and the Communist “Red Front Fighter’s League”. This is of course in response to all the street fighting between the SA and the RFKF against each other, and the SA attacks against Eckener’s government in Berlin. President Eckener assured the nation that, “while there maybe an initial surge of fighting if some of these groups refuse to surrender quietly, in the long run this is for the best, for free, unadulterated democracy cannot exist where armed vigilantes go around and harass those that oppose their ideology.”
-President Declares War on Paramilitary,” Frankfurter Zeitung, April 21, 1932.
PEACE IN GERMANY?
BERLIN, JULY 12- It has been nearly 3 months since German President Hugo Eckener announced a ban on paramilitary groups that were operating as agents of two of Germany’s most anti-democratic political parties, the National Socialists and the Communists. According to our embassy in Berlin, the Nazis, as the National Socialists are called, are the biggest threat to the stability of Germany. Since the ban, there have been several major confrontations, but the paramilitaries have lost every time. The streets are finally beginning to become peaceful once again. You no longer see the swastika-emblazoned brown uniforms of the SA, with people trying to avoid their gaze. In fact, President Eckener has moved on to other issues, such as getting people back to work. The new “Build for the Future!” Program started by Chancellor Otto Wels was announced about a month ago, and has already had nearly 100,000 people volunteer. The program offers some income in addition to food for workers to come and work on construction projects for the state. Chief among them is the new “Autobahn” highway system, that will, according to Chancellor Wels, be a “truly modern roadway system, with two lanes for each direction of non stop traffic, connecting all the major cities of Germany together.”
-“Peace in Germany?,” The Times (London), July 13, 1932.
SHOTS FIRED AT PRESIDENT!!
NAZIS TO BLAME FOR ATTACK
NAZIS TO BLAME FOR ATTACK
BERLIN, OCT 1- Early this morning, members of the Nazi party attacked the Presidential motorcade here in the capital. President Eckener, along with Chancellor Wels, were en route to a rally for the upcoming Reichstag elections in the Tiergarten when 10 National Socialists ambushed the vehicles. Since violence has been down all over Germany after what was up till today considered a successful ban on the SA and the RFKF, security was almost nill, and the Nazis achieved total surprise. Several aides to the President and the Chancellor were killed, and both men received wounds from bullets that were fired by the attackers. Eckener is reported as being in fair condition at this point, only receiving wounds in his arm and leg. Wels is currently unconsious, having lost large amounts of blood, and doctors are unsure if he will survive. The Mayor of Berlin has declared a state of emergency, and Defense Minister Joseph Wirth has called out the Reichswehr to maintain order.
-“Shots Fired at President: Nazis to Blame for Attack,” Frankfurter Zeitung, October 1, 1932.
GERMAN CHANCELLOR KILLED BY NAZIS
BERLIN, OCT 2- German authorities reported this morning that Chancellor Otto Wels died from wounds received yesterday during an attack on the Presidential motorcade in Berlin, perpetrated by members of the National Socialist, or Nazi, Party. President Hugo Eckener is recovering in a Berlin hospital, reportedly doing quite well. German Defense Minister Joseph Wirth has ordered the Army to secure Berlin, and has cancelled all public gatherings in the capital until President Eckener is released from the hospital. There are calls for the government to take strong action against the Nazis, but as of yet, none has been forthcoming. Wirth stated that, “I will take no action directly against the Nazis without authorization of the President or the Chancellor.”
This attack comes just over a month before the Reichstag elections, and is clearly meant to destabilize the national government here in Germany. The effect of this attack on the upcoming elections still remains clear. However, some in the capital believe that this may hurt the Nazis, since Eckener and his government were quite popular, especially with the “Build for the Future” program and the banning of the paramilitaries.
-“German Chancellor Killed by Nazis,” The Washington Post, October 3, 1932.
October 7, 1932- Those barbarians! I..I…words can’t fully express the anger I am feeling at this hour. That they not only attacked myself and my staff, but that they killed poor Otto Wels…my blood boils. And what to do about the situation? Many are calling for the party to be outright banned, that Hitler himself planned the attack (which he very well may have, despite his official statements to the contrary.) But I fear an outright ban may not be the best solution. I’ve been talking with Konrad (who will be taking over as Chancellor after tomorrow’s funeral), and I think that cracking down on the Nazi HQ, maybe raids at Hitler’s home. But no arrests. He and I both think that the people are going to oust the Nazis next month. I have asked that the Reichswehr investigate the attack, to find out just who ordered it.
-- From the personal diary of President Hugo Eckener “Personal Documents of President Eckener.” The Zeppelin Institute, Friedrichshafen.
“My fellow Germans, we have gathered here in this beautiful house of God to bid farewell to a great statesmen, one who believed in Germany’s future, who believed that tomorrow would be better. And today, as we pay our respects and offer our comfort and condolences to his family, I call on all Germans to step up and make sure that his dream of a free, safe, stable, democratic Germany become a reality. We cannot allow the forces of violence, murder, and anarchy prevail. We cannot, and we will not!” Frau Wels, be rest assured, your husbands death will not have been in vain.”
- Radio Address given at Otto Wels funeral, October 8, 1932. Reichs Historiches Institue, Berlin.
NAZIS TROUNCED IN ELECTIONS
BERLIN, NOV 7- In what was obviously a reaction to the brutal attack on President Eckener and the murder of the late Chancellor Wels, voters across the nation have sent the Nazis packing. Dropping from 107 seats to 29, the Nazis have been all but tossed out of the Reichstag on their ear, with the SDP going from 143 seats to 245, and the Centre Party going from 68 seats to 119. President Eckener said that “I am overjoyed with the results of this election. The people have spoken.” Newly sworn in Chancellor Konrad Adenauer stated that “This election marks the triumph of the German Democracy over the forces of tyranny and anarchy that have sought to bring chaos to the Fatherland.”
-“Nazis Trounced in Elections,” Frankfurter Zeitung, November 7, 1932.
GERMANY ARRESTS HITLER
BERLIN, NOV 20- The German military filed a report with President Eckener earlier this week stating to the effect that Adolf Hitler, head of the National Socialist Party, planned the attack on President Eckener that killed Chancellor Otto Wels. Eckener ordered the man’s immediate arrest upon reading the report. Hitler was arrested not far from the Bavarian-Austrian border, attempting to flee the country. It is widely expected that the newly elected Parliament will vote to ban the Nazis once they meet for the first time next month.
-“Germany Arrests Hitler,” The New York Times, November 21, 1932.
This looks like it will turn into an interesting timeline once the USSR starts getting powerful arouind 1940...the question is will Germany rearm enough to fight it, or will the lack of a German rearmament leave Germany-and the Western powers--without a sufficent military to do combat with the Reds?
I plan on having Germany rearm. Not sure it will be quite OTL level yet. But it's gonna happen.
Of course, you'd have Germany fighting WITH France, GB against the USSR, so a three against one won't be quite as bad.
But like I said, no where near there yet, lol.
Anybody else have any ideas, comments?
maverick
Banned
Ah, finally its here
I do however feel you're underestimating the Nazis: the SA allegedly had 3,000,000 men in 1934, and the SS had over 100,000 men in 1931...
Their parliamentary collapse was sudden but not altogether impossible, but their paramilitary, larger than the official army at this point, wouldn't surrender so easily...
I'm not sure about these guys numbers, but I'm sure they would be trouble too...
These guys on the other hand would have no problem surrendering, but how about the Right-Wing Stahlhelm organization? would they and their 500,000 men group just disband or reorganize into a peaceful veterans' association?
Also, suscribed...
I do however feel you're underestimating the Nazis: the SA allegedly had 3,000,000 men in 1934, and the SS had over 100,000 men in 1931...
Their parliamentary collapse was sudden but not altogether impossible, but their paramilitary, larger than the official army at this point, wouldn't surrender so easily...
I'm not sure about these guys numbers, but I'm sure they would be trouble too...
These guys on the other hand would have no problem surrendering, but how about the Right-Wing Stahlhelm organization? would they and their 500,000 men group just disband or reorganize into a peaceful veterans' association?
Also, suscribed...
I see your point, but I have Adenauer becoming Chancellor in October following the death of Otto Wels, almost a month before the election. Would he really be asked out of office so quickly? Or removed?
The Reichspräsident did appoint the Reichskanzler, thus Eckener could choose Adenauer.
But the RK was also dependent on the vote of trust of the Reichstag, if not a government à la Brüning was going to happen again.
If the SPD alone got 245 seats out of 577, I can't see them agree to a shady figure like Adenauer - if not substantial concessions have been made regarding socialisation, co-determination and working hours.
BTW: Eckener would be third RP (1. Ebert, 2. Hindenburg. 3. Eckener).
But the RK was also dependent on the vote of trust of the Reichstag, if not a government à la Brüning was going to happen again.
If the SPD alone got 245 seats out of 577, I can't see them agree to a shady figure like Adenauer - if not substantial concessions have been made regarding socialisation, co-determination and working hours.
BTW: Eckener would be third RP (1. Ebert, 2. Hindenburg. 3. Eckener).
Working on that. Adenauer doesn't last long as Chancellor, because the government needed to get the SDP on board with some stuff dealing with Stahlhelm.
And I'll fix the part about being the 2nd President. I got messed up because there were only two presidential elections.
PART III: THE NAZI WAR
Hitler’s arrest was intended to be the beginning of the end for the unrest in Germany. President Eckener and Chancellor Adenauer hoped that by depriving this radical party it’s leader, that the movement would wither away and die, and Germany could move forward in peace. And for a short time it did, until Hitler’s trial started in January of 1933. Then everything looked as though it might fall apart.
- Liebermann, Dr. William. The Zeppelin President."Chapter 3: 1933 and the War on Nazism.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003
BERLIN, JAN 3- Today Chancellor Adenauer announced to the press that his government intends to seek the death penalty for Adolf Hitler, who was arrested over a month ago, charged with planning the attack on President Eckener that resulted in the death of Chancellor Wels. Senior Nazi officials vow that they will fight this attempt with all their might.
-“Adenauer Says Gov’t will Seek Death for Hitler,” Frankfurter Zeitung, January 3, 1933
PEOPLE OF GERMANY AWAKEN!! The Eckener government in Berlin, which is riddled with Jews and Communists and other enemies of the true Germany seeks to murder the true hero of the People, Adolf Hitler, leader of the National Socialist Movement in Germany. If we want to see Germany take it’s rightful place in the sun, and revenge the Great War, we must rise up as one People and remove Eckener, this filthy capitalist pig, from the Presidency, and toss his henchman Adenauer out of office. The time for talking is over. The time for action is now!
-“Time for Revolution,” Volkisher Beobatcher (Nazi Party Paper), January 8, 1933
BERLIN, JAN 20- The German government is reporting that the Nazi party has bombed several important government offices in Berlin, including the Reichstag and the Chancellory, along with carrying out attacks in many other cities across the country. President Eckener has yet to react in any strong way, but reportedly the government will be meeting within the week to establish a firm plan of action.
Many here in Britain are looking wearily across the channel at the chaos that doesn’t seem to end in troubled Germany, and hope that it will not spill out into the rest of Europe or across the waters to our own lands.
-“Terrorists Strike Across Germany,” The Times (London), January 21, 1933
January 23, 1933- All hell seems to be breaking loose. Just when we thought that the whole Nazi problem had been solved. The bombings earlier this week have the people shaken, and there are calls from members of the military for at least Adenauer to resign if our government can’t put a lid on these terrorists. We’ve got to come up with a game plan, and fast. We are going to meet in three days to try and solve this problem. I hope that the end is in sight.
- From the personal diary of President Hugo Eckener “Personal Documents of President Eckener.” The Zeppelin Institute, Friedrichshafen.
Eckener ultimately ordered the Reichswehr to arrest all the Nazi leaders, and on February 1, the Reichstag passed a resolution banning the Nazi Party, expulsing the 29 Nazi delegates and calling for special elections in those districts. But even that didn’t work. Members of the Nazi Party began rioting in the street. Then, on February 20, the Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet) Veterans Organization called on Eckener and Adenauer to resign, and for there to be new elections. Members of the Armed Forces, senior career Generals, also called for the resignation of the Government. It seemed as if all would be lost, and that Eckener would be forced from office.
- Liebermann, Dr. William. The Zeppelin President."Chapter 3: 1933 and the War on Nazism.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003
March 1, 1933- We had an emergency meeting of the Government tonight at the Chancellory. Adenauer argued that we should dismiss the current army leaders and replace them with fellows more favorable to the democratic regime. Wirth spoke up and said he’d resign if we took such a course. He had a new idea. He said “What if we ask the Stahlhelm to join us?” Adenauer and I looked at him with utter bewilderment. “Join us how?” I asked him. “We create a new Federal Police, and allow the members of the Stahlhelm to fill most of the ranks. In effect, we put them to work for us. They largely support the military, not the Nazis, though there are exceptions. But if we offer them a piece of the pie…” Adenauer looked intrigued. “Mr. President, it’s not a bad plan, but it may be hard to get the SPD on board. We’d have to make some serious concessions. I doubt they’d support me as Chancellor.” I told him he was right. Then Konrad totally surprised me. He said, “Mr. President, now that I think about it, Wirth’s plan is the best thing I can come up with, and to do with, we have to have the SPD onboard. I will resign as Chancellor and allow Hans Vogel to take my place. We can bring in the Stahlhelm men as the “Reichspolizei”. Wirth spoke up at this point, “We’ll also need to consider other things to bring the Right onboard. Play up the nationalism card to draw the populace away from the radicals. Maybe restore the imperial flag. Things like that.” Adenauer agreed. Finally we have something new to try. I pray to God that this works.
- From the personal diary of President Hugo Eckener “Personal Documents of President Eckener.” The Zeppelin Institute, Friedrichshafen.
BERLIN, MAR 4- Chancellor Konrad Adenauer resigned his office yesterday, and was today replaced by President Eckener with Hans Vogel, of the Social Democrats. Today was in fact a big day for the President. In addition to appointing Mr. Vogel to Chancellor, he also established the Reichspolizei, a national level police force, aimed at dealing with former Nazis. It is rumored that the RP will consist primarily of members of the Stahlhelm, which had up till now been quite critical of President Eckener’s government.
Chancellor Vogel stated that Adenauer would remain in the government, going back to his original portfolio of Foreign Minister.
-“Adenauer Resigns,” Frankfurter Zeitung, March 5, 1933.
BERLIN, MAR 12- The German Government, under the leadership of President Hugo Eckener, has declared war on the Nazi Party. With the creation of a new national police force, the Eckener administration, headed by a new chancellor (the third since Eckener took office a little less than a year ago), seems to be rebounding from terrible terrorist attacks and riots that were perpetrated by the Nazis earlier this year. President Eckener and new Chancellor Hans Vogel seem confident this new approach will work, though time alone will tell. Many conservatives in Germany have an “I-wont-hold-my-breath” attitude towards this latest attempt to crush the Nazis.
-“War on Nazis Declared in Germany,” The New York Times, March 14, 1933
From March 4 onwards, the tide slowly began to turn in Eckener’s favor. The Stahlhelm threw their support behind the Government as they operated the Reichspolizei. The RP was a big help in bringing down the Nazi movement before it was able to really go underground. In the only real violent confrontation of the so called “War on Nazis,” the Reichspolizei and the Reichswehr fought against the last remnants of the Nazis in Munich in what many refer to as the “Battle of Munich”. Fighting lasted for over a week, as the RP and the RW encircled the Nazi stronghold and eventually beat them on July 9, 1933. After that battle, most Nazis just gave up. Many towns held swastika burning parties as former Nazis recanted and moved on with their lives. When Hitler was finally put on trail in August, he was given life in prison, to avoid any chance of him becoming a martyr. His health would later deteriorate, and he was released from prison in 1951, and died the following year, just months after finding some small publisher to release, in a small number of copies, his second book, explaining why the Nazis failed.
After the end of the War on Nazis, Eckener was able to focus on rebuilding Germany and helping the country’s fragile democracy finally take root.
- Liebermann, Dr. William. The Zeppelin President."Chapter 3: 1933 and the War on Nazism.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003
Hitler’s arrest was intended to be the beginning of the end for the unrest in Germany. President Eckener and Chancellor Adenauer hoped that by depriving this radical party it’s leader, that the movement would wither away and die, and Germany could move forward in peace. And for a short time it did, until Hitler’s trial started in January of 1933. Then everything looked as though it might fall apart.
- Liebermann, Dr. William. The Zeppelin President."Chapter 3: 1933 and the War on Nazism.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003
ADENAUER SAYS GOV’T WILL SEEK DEATH FOR HITLER
-“Adenauer Says Gov’t will Seek Death for Hitler,” Frankfurter Zeitung, January 3, 1933
TIME FOR REVOLUTION
-“Time for Revolution,” Volkisher Beobatcher (Nazi Party Paper), January 8, 1933
TERRORISTS STRIKE ACROSS GERMANY
Many here in Britain are looking wearily across the channel at the chaos that doesn’t seem to end in troubled Germany, and hope that it will not spill out into the rest of Europe or across the waters to our own lands.
-“Terrorists Strike Across Germany,” The Times (London), January 21, 1933
January 23, 1933- All hell seems to be breaking loose. Just when we thought that the whole Nazi problem had been solved. The bombings earlier this week have the people shaken, and there are calls from members of the military for at least Adenauer to resign if our government can’t put a lid on these terrorists. We’ve got to come up with a game plan, and fast. We are going to meet in three days to try and solve this problem. I hope that the end is in sight.
- From the personal diary of President Hugo Eckener “Personal Documents of President Eckener.” The Zeppelin Institute, Friedrichshafen.
Eckener ultimately ordered the Reichswehr to arrest all the Nazi leaders, and on February 1, the Reichstag passed a resolution banning the Nazi Party, expulsing the 29 Nazi delegates and calling for special elections in those districts. But even that didn’t work. Members of the Nazi Party began rioting in the street. Then, on February 20, the Stahlhelm (Steel Helmet) Veterans Organization called on Eckener and Adenauer to resign, and for there to be new elections. Members of the Armed Forces, senior career Generals, also called for the resignation of the Government. It seemed as if all would be lost, and that Eckener would be forced from office.
- Liebermann, Dr. William. The Zeppelin President."Chapter 3: 1933 and the War on Nazism.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003
March 1, 1933- We had an emergency meeting of the Government tonight at the Chancellory. Adenauer argued that we should dismiss the current army leaders and replace them with fellows more favorable to the democratic regime. Wirth spoke up and said he’d resign if we took such a course. He had a new idea. He said “What if we ask the Stahlhelm to join us?” Adenauer and I looked at him with utter bewilderment. “Join us how?” I asked him. “We create a new Federal Police, and allow the members of the Stahlhelm to fill most of the ranks. In effect, we put them to work for us. They largely support the military, not the Nazis, though there are exceptions. But if we offer them a piece of the pie…” Adenauer looked intrigued. “Mr. President, it’s not a bad plan, but it may be hard to get the SPD on board. We’d have to make some serious concessions. I doubt they’d support me as Chancellor.” I told him he was right. Then Konrad totally surprised me. He said, “Mr. President, now that I think about it, Wirth’s plan is the best thing I can come up with, and to do with, we have to have the SPD onboard. I will resign as Chancellor and allow Hans Vogel to take my place. We can bring in the Stahlhelm men as the “Reichspolizei”. Wirth spoke up at this point, “We’ll also need to consider other things to bring the Right onboard. Play up the nationalism card to draw the populace away from the radicals. Maybe restore the imperial flag. Things like that.” Adenauer agreed. Finally we have something new to try. I pray to God that this works.
- From the personal diary of President Hugo Eckener “Personal Documents of President Eckener.” The Zeppelin Institute, Friedrichshafen.
ADENAUER RESIGNS
Chancellor Vogel stated that Adenauer would remain in the government, going back to his original portfolio of Foreign Minister.
-“Adenauer Resigns,” Frankfurter Zeitung, March 5, 1933.
WAR ON NAZIS DECLARED IN GERMANY
-“War on Nazis Declared in Germany,” The New York Times, March 14, 1933
From March 4 onwards, the tide slowly began to turn in Eckener’s favor. The Stahlhelm threw their support behind the Government as they operated the Reichspolizei. The RP was a big help in bringing down the Nazi movement before it was able to really go underground. In the only real violent confrontation of the so called “War on Nazis,” the Reichspolizei and the Reichswehr fought against the last remnants of the Nazis in Munich in what many refer to as the “Battle of Munich”. Fighting lasted for over a week, as the RP and the RW encircled the Nazi stronghold and eventually beat them on July 9, 1933. After that battle, most Nazis just gave up. Many towns held swastika burning parties as former Nazis recanted and moved on with their lives. When Hitler was finally put on trail in August, he was given life in prison, to avoid any chance of him becoming a martyr. His health would later deteriorate, and he was released from prison in 1951, and died the following year, just months after finding some small publisher to release, in a small number of copies, his second book, explaining why the Nazis failed.
After the end of the War on Nazis, Eckener was able to focus on rebuilding Germany and helping the country’s fragile democracy finally take root.
- Liebermann, Dr. William. The Zeppelin President."Chapter 3: 1933 and the War on Nazism.” Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003