Paul von Hindenburg was a person.
Paul Ludwig Hans Anton von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg , known generally as Paul von Hindenburg -LRB- -LSB- ˈpaʊl fɔn ˈhɪndnbʊɐk -RSB- ; 2 October 1847 -- 2 August 1934 -RRB- was a German military officer , statesman , and politician who largely controlled German policy in the second half of World War I and served as the elected President of Germany from 1925 until his death in 1934 .. World War I. World War I. President of Germany. President of Germany ( 1919–45 ). He played the key role in the Nazi `` Seizure of Power '' in January 1933 by appointing Hitler chancellor of a `` Government of National Concentration '' , even though the Nazis were in the minority in cabinet .. Hindenburg retired from the army for the first time in 1911 , but was recalled shortly after the outbreak of World War I in 1914 .. World War I. World War I. He first came to national attention at the age of 66 as the victor of the decisive Battle of Tannenberg in August 1914 .. Battle of Tannenberg. Battle of Tannenberg. As Germany 's Chief of the General Staff from August 1916 , Hindenburg 's reputation rose greatly in German public esteem .. Chief of the General Staff. Chief of the General Staff ( Germany ). He and his deputy Erich Ludendorff then led Germany in a de facto military dictatorship throughout the remainder of the war , marginalizing German Emperor Wilhelm II as well as the German Reichstag -LRB- Parliament . -RRB-. Wilhelm II. Wilhelm II. Erich Ludendorff. Erich Ludendorff. German Emperor Wilhelm II. Wilhelm II, German Emperor. Reichstag. Reichstag ( German Empire ). Hindenburg retired again in 1919 , but returned to public life in 1925 to be elected the second President of Germany .. President of Germany. President of Germany ( 1919–45 ). Greater Poland Uprising ( 1918–1919 ). In 1932 , Hindenburg was persuaded to run for re-election as German president , although 84 years old and in poor health , because he was considered the only candidate who could defeat Adolf Hitler .. Adolf Hitler. Adolf Hitler. Hindenburg was re-elected in a runoff .. runoff. Two-round system. He was opposed to Hitler and was a major player in the increasing political instability in the Weimar Republic that ended with Hitler 's rise to power .. Weimar Republic. Weimar Republic. He dissolved the Reichstag twice in 1932 and finally , under pressure , agreed to appoint Hitler Chancellor of Germany in January 1933 .. Reichstag. Reichstag ( German Empire ). Chancellor of Germany. Chancellor of Germany. Hindenburg did this to satisfy Hitler 's demands that he should play a part in the Weimar Government despite losing the election .. In February , he signed off on the Reichstag Fire Decree , which suspended various civil liberties , and in March he signed the Enabling Act of 1933 , which gave Hitler 's regime arbitrary powers .. Reichstag. Reichstag ( German Empire ). Reichstag Fire Decree. Reichstag Fire Decree. civil liberties. civil liberties. Enabling Act of 1933. Enabling Act of 1933. Hindenburg died the following year , after which Hitler declared the office of President vacant and made himself head of state .. head of state. head of state. Paul von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg was born in Posen , Prussia -LRB- Polish  : Poznan ; until 1793 and since 1919 part of Poland -RRB- , the son of Prussian aristocrat Robert -LRB- 1816 -- 1902 -RRB- and wife Luise Schwickart -LRB- 1825 -- 1893 -RRB- , the daughter of medical doctor Karl Ludwig Schwickart and wife Julie Moennich .. Posen. Poznan. Prussia. Prussia. Poznan. Poznan. Poland. Poland. Second Partition of Poland. Greater Poland Uprising ( 1918–1919 ). His paternal grandparents were Otto Ludwig Fady von Beneckendorff und von Hindenburg -LRB- 1778 -- 18 July 1855 -RRB- , through whom he was remotely descended from the illegitimate daughter of Count Heinrich VI of Waldeck , and his wife Eleonore von Brederfady -LRB- died 1863 -RRB- .. Hindenburg was also a direct descendant of Martin Luther and his wife Katharina von Bora , through their daughter Margareta Luther .. Martin Luther. Martin Luther. Katharina von Bora. Katharina von Bora. Hindenburg 's younger brothers and sister were Otto , born 24 August 1849 , Ida , born 19 December 1851 and Bernhard , born 17 January 1859 .. Paul was proud of his family tree , tracing ancestors back to 1289 .. The dual surname was adopted in 1789 to secure an inheritance and appeared in formal documents , but in everyday life they were von Beneckendorffs .. True to family tradition father supported his family as an infantry officer , he retired as a major .. At age 11 Paul entered the Cadet Corps School at -LSB- Wahlstatt -RSB- -RSB- -LRB- now Legnickie Pole Poland -RRB- .. Poland. Poland. Legnickie Pole. Legnickie Pole. At 16 he was transferred to the School in Berlin , at 18 he served as a page to the widow of King Frederick William IV of Prussia .. Prussia. Prussia. the widow. Elisabeth Ludovika of Bavaria. Frederick William IV of Prussia. Frederick William IV of Prussia. Graduates entering the army were presented to King William I , who asked for their father 's name and rank .. He became a second lieutenant in the Third Regiment of Foot Guards .