Schleicher, Kurt von
Schleicher, Kurt von,
1882–1934, German general. A leading Reichswehr (army) figure after World War I, Schleicher wielded great power in the years before Adolf HitlerHitler, Adolf, 1889–1945, founder and leader of National Socialism (Nazism), and German dictator, b. Braunau in Upper Austria. Early Life
The son of Alois Hitler (1837–1903), an Austrian customs official, Adolf Hitler dropped out of high school, and
..... Click the link for more information. came to power (1933). He was war minister in the cabinet of Franz von Papen, whom he succeeded as chancellor of Germany in Dec., 1932. Trying to prevent Hitler from seizing power, Schleicher demanded authority from President HindenburgHindenburg, Paul von
, 1847–1934, German field marshal and president (1925–34), b. Poznan (then in Prussia). His full name was Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Hindenburg und Beneckendorff.
..... Click the link for more information. to dissolve the Reichstag and to assume emergency powers. Hindenburg refused and, after Schleicher's resignation (Jan. 28, 1933), appointed Hitler chancellor. Schleicher retired from public life but was shot with his wife in Hitler's 1934 "blood purge."
Schleicher, Kurt Von
Born Apr. 7, 1882, in Brandenburg; died June 30, 1934, in Neubabelsberg. German military and political figure; general.
Schleicher became an officer of the General Staff in 1913. After Germany’s defeat in World War I he became a close associate of the commander of the Reichswehr, General H. von Seeckt, and took part in planning the restoration of the country’s military potential. Schleicher headed an office in the Reichswehr Ministry in 1929 and served as minister for the Reichswehr in the government of F. von Papen from June to December 1932. He played an important role in relations between the leaders of the Nazi Party, on the one hand, and political authorities, the military, and representatives of monopolies, on the other.
Schleicher assumed the post of chancellor in December 1932. He sought to implement a dictatorial regime that would bring the fascists into the government on terms acceptable to various groups of monopolistic capital. His efforts, however, failed. He was forced to resign on Jan. 28,1933, and was succeeded by Hitler on Jan. 30, 1933. Schleicher was murdered by the Gestapo during the purge known as the night of the long knives.